STEVEN SEVERIN

Sleepercell, released in late 2010, is one of a number of recent discs from founder Banshee Steven Severin and represents an exclusive for Lumberton Trading Company. Sleepercell is inspired by the phenomenon of the mysterious "numbers stations" and by a short poem Severin composed in the late '70s entitled Back in Love Field; a meditation on the Cuban missile crisis and JFK's subsequent assassination.

Long respected for weaving intense and dark musical tapestries, Severin, once primarily known as the bassist in the popular and critically acclaimed post-punk group, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and for his close involvement with the initial scene surrounding the Sex Pistols before they exploded, now follows his musical muse in many directions. His most recent work has consisted largely of film scores, including several for mostly lost silent cinema classics. Sleepercell follows on from 2009's critically lauded Music for Silents and the equally well-received series for the E-Decodings label, Codex Astra, all of which have seen corners turned in the development of his sound that are even more pronounced on 2010's Blood of a Poet album on Cold Spring.

The CDEP for LTCo comprises three pieces, Sleepercell, Sleepercell Awakes and Counter Code. It is housed in a special recycled cardboard sleeve, with the first 100 not only in a stickered gatefold version but comprising a different insert that is signed and numbered. Please note, however, that the signed/numbered version is now sold out and, furthermore, all remaining copies of the release can now only be purchased from Steven Severin directly. Write to him at: info@stevenseverin.com

Since 2010 and 2011, Steven has continued to tour on a regular basis.

DISCOGRAPHY:

Visions CD (RE, 1998)
Maldoror CD (RE, 1999)
The Woman in the Dunes CD (RE, 2000)
London Voodoo CD (Subconscious Music, 2004)
Beauty and the Beast CD (Subconscious Music, 2005)
Nature Morte CD (Subconscious Music, 2006)
Music for Silents CD (Divine Frequency, 2009)
Codex Astra - Circles of Silver CDEP (E Decodings, 2010)
Codex Astra - Hours of Gold CDEP (E Decodings, 2010)
Blood of a Poet CD (Cold Spring, 2010)

Steven Severin has also remixed work by other groups, including Theme.

"The past work opens a lot of doors for me, that's for sure. But because the Banshees' catalogue is so known and so distinct, I find I have to go to great lengths to describe what I do now, as it is very different. I can see the obvious progression in the work because it's evolved over 30-plus years! Others less familiar with my career need more help in understanding that lineage. Playing live to old films is something that most people can understand, so that helps. If I couldn't explain it that way, I think many people might be expecting me to have a band and get up and play bass. That's the last thing I want or intend to do." (Steven Severin, 2010)

More information can be found at his website: www.stevenseverin.com

Sleepercell review from Compulsion Online

Since leaving Siouxsie and the Banshees Steven Severin's musical output has largely been devoted to soundtracks for performance and film. This CD EP for Lumberton Trading Company is something of a diversion. Using the secret shortwave radio broadcasts of the covert number stations Sleepercell contains some of the most abstract sounds from the former Banshees member. The title track, 'Sleepercell', is comprised from a series of shortwave radio transmission of numbers and a tone generated melody, set against a slow arching atmospheric whoosh. It is a true electronic composition. The second track 'Sleepercell Awakes' once again uses shortwave radio broadcasts, this time with a series of disjointed numbers relayed against rhythmic beats and a limbering bassline which is almost drum and bass. The entire piece loaded with secret codes is cut with a feeling of dub fuelled paranoia. With soft plumes of synths and a gentle melody, the final piece 'Countercode' closes this three-track twenty minute CD with an absorbing soundtrack styled piece. Released in a special recycled cardboard sleeve with insert in an edition of 500 copies Sleepercell clearly illustrates the musical versatility of Steven Severin. The first 100 copies come in a stickered gatefold sleeve with an exclusive signed and numbered insert.