Bandcamp Reviews: Setting
Every Friday, I plan to buy one or two "new to me" releases on Bandcamp. ”New to me” is something I just now discovered or finally bought. Whether it be from 1972 of 2025. I will then listen to these releases for a couple of days and then post my unfiltered thoughts*. So, at the very least there should be a post a week (with some exceptions of course).
*there is no such thing as bad music – just music you dislike. So you won't ever see me saying something is bad etc – just why it didn't work for me.
I have noticed a trend in my reviews that I like to discuss/tell how/where I discovered something – so, I see no reason to stop that trend now.
at Black Mountain College Museum by Setting
I discovered this release via a review on Aquarium Drunkard but came close to missing it all together. I don't know how many times, I scrolled past the review without looking at it. There was something about the album cover that oft putted me – it reminded me (somehow) of the The Band but not in a good way. Then one day, I saw it again and my inner voice said, you know you should especially look at it because you don't want to. And surprise to no one, the release being reviewed was right up my alley.
I share this anecdote to illustrate how important it is to get out of comfort zones. Whether it be music or some other endeavor, the risks are often more than worth it – as it ensures growth of who we are. This is something I need to remember in all things but especially music - as it is something that is part of me and gives great joy.
Now that I have waxed poetic, what changed? What did I see or read? That one of the members was from the band Pelt. Pelt for me is just an extraordinary band – they sound as alien today as they did when I discovered them 8 years ago (and this is a good thing). Pelt changed how I thought about drone – it could be loud, maximal, noisy and calm while being intertwined with folk / Appalachian music / lo fi / experimental / etc. Basically, seeing Nathan Bowles's name told me that it deserved a look/a listen – and I am so glad I did.
Surprisingly, this was not the first release I bought by Setting (see bonus section below) but its purchase was accelerated by it – I just had to hear more. Like the first one I purchased, it was recorded live. I wish I could explain this album but stream of consciousness seems the only apt way:
The drone is everything; It exists always and it is the foundation; Time ceases; Melodies appear; driving sound; also Neu! like but also not; the drums have a sound and secrets of their own; other instruments create and push progression; folk but not folk - a similar language; movement without intensity; sound without fear; only the drone is left
Essential
Bonus Bandcamp Review: at Eulogy by Setting
This is the first Setting release I purchased - surprising for two reasons. First, it was not the subject of the review I had avoided for too long and secondly, it was not their debut release. Instead I chose their latest release – deciding to work backwards. Why? Because I wanted to see where they were today (more or less) and then from there I could decide if I wanted to see what lead to their current approaches.
This live release is hallucinatory - it moves and creates while time disrupts. Though split it into several tracks — it is one continuous song that exemplifies the drone while elevating a new but old type of folk that unlocks barriers - beginnings/endings no longer matter.
From a practical point of view, this is the kind of release that if it pops up on random play, you have to stop and check. You are immediately reminded how good this is and you need more music by Setting.
Essential
Photo by Daniel De Los Santos, Lake Travis TX