Artist description 4tRECk is the name given to the home recordings and CDR ‘label’ of North Londoner Sam Callow. A certain pride is taken in the utilisation of the most basic, rudimentary equipment to its fullest extent, with new methods of recording and sound manipulation still arising, even after 5 years worth of recording on the same 4-track tape machine. A variety of instruments are employed in a process that generally involves improvisation, some chance and perhaps most importantly a detailed approach to arrangement and structure to create what hopefully might be a new combination of elements and ideas. Key instruments such as guitar, piano and drums are sometimes plied against violin, accordion, melodica, tape-manipulation, Jews harp, voice, TV, percussion and a variety of odd sonic sources to create these mostly instrumental ‘compositions’, and have a tendency to sprawl into free-form at the song’s end mainly out of sheer releif of successfully completeing a take. There exists at the moment 4 full length 4tRECk ‘releases’ on CDR. The 1st being a collection of recent recordings, the 2nd was compiled after extensive trawling through old disgarded tapes (pleasant surprises, noise and forgotten songs), the 3rd of one half digitally manipulated analogue ambience contrasted somewhat with a series of cover versions ranging from John Fahey, to Michael Jackson, to the theme tune to ‘80s helicopter drama Airwolf! and a fourth of new pieces with more of an acoustic element thrown in to the mix. A 5th is being recorded on an 8-track right now (more electronic sound sources plus a big, fat accordion)

Music Style Experimental song structures/'post-rock'/avant-folk/entertainment

Musical Influences Ruins, Beefheart, John Fahey, Gastr Del Sol, Daniel Johnston, Albert Marcoeur, Serge Gainsbourg, Pinback....

Similar Artists ????? You tell me!

Artist History I used to play in a band called 'Mariachi', and during this time started recording music on my 4track Recorder. These recordings evolved into much more intricate pieces as I slowly developed better ways to record. I began to send off tapes and CDRs to various people, and got good feedback. This was when I decided to put a name to my recordings, to make it like my own imaginary band (4tRECk i.e. 4tRACk RECordings). I`ve always been involved in music from an early age.

Group Members All instruments, artwork, composition by Sam Callow (myself).

Instruments Guitar (acoustic/electric), accordion, violins, xylophone, piano, thumb piano, melodica, drums, percussion, drum machine, found sounds, recorder, bass guitar, talking clock, toys, electronics and voice.

Albums 'No.1', 'No.2', 'No.3', & 'No.4'.

Press Reviews 4tRECk | 4tRECk 7" ep (4tRACk RECordings). In 'Comes With A Smile'. Sam Callow’s first vinyl excursion is a 5 track 7" consisting of both new and previously released material, showcasing the diversity/perversity of the 4tRECk brand. The mood of the recordings swing from defiantly lo-fi soca rhythms (Socasam), to Gastr/Fahey open tunings and electronics (Eastern Promise), via Casio tape loops complete with Ol’ Blue Eyes’ vocals disturbingly/unintentionally leaking through (FrankenSinatra). The interpretations of other artists’ material are equally inventive: The Jesus Lizard’s Slave Ship is re-recorded by an accordion led Black Sabbath, whereas Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger is wrestled to the ground by Melt Banana in a 35 second bout. Sam plans to expand his home recordings empire with a 10" 4tRECk compilation, due out on Pickled Egg some time. 44tRECk 'SLAVE SHIP' 7" E.P. By Mats Gustafsson in The Broken Face magazine. A 7" starting with a musette style cover version - including shockwaves of accordion, sampled percussion and piano - of The Jesus Lizard's "Slave Ship" is all I need to be sucked in. This 12 minute long debut single presents the bizarre worldview of London resident Sam Callow AKA 4tRECk, and as it moves back and forth from folk to electronica, from Beefheartian weirdness to exotica, it becomes very clear that there is no way I'll be able to put a tag on this. "Eastern Promise" sounds like Fahey playing samba music and the odd, slightly Ruins-esque cut up rendition of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" still shakes the foundations of this very house. It comes as no surprise at all that the Pickled Egg imprint are planning to release a 10" 4tRECk compilation later this year. This is right up their genre-defying and surrealistic sound alley. 4tRECk Album No.4 (4tRECk). By John Kennedy in the Dominion newspaper, Wellington New Zealand (1 June 02). Sometimes-uplifting sounds appear from far less exalted sources, like the humble home studio of Londoner Sam Callow, a.k.a. 4Treck. These instrumental pieces are played entirely by Callow on guitars, wind instruments, drums and various keyboards. What you get is some very infectious tunes and many doses of mostly successful experimentation with the recording process. Folk Metal Eight has a have-to-smile melody cycle, re-iterated in multiple layers and a backdrop of sped-up voices artificially wavering but strangely moving. There are echoes of Brian Wilson style genius and the sort of eclecticism that was almost an endangered species - check the titles: Kamchatka, Eastern Promise and Bossa Not Over. Behind the playful attitude is a considerable, self-contained talent. The forecasted graduation to 8-track recording for “Volume 5” promises much. Chris Cutler in the ReR Recommended catalogue. 4tRECK: No. 1 : Eccentric and original record, with some very interesting pieces, some complex rhythmic material (a little after Mats and Morgan) and a strange eclectic mix of other styles and fragments, featuring voice, piano, guitar, drums, melodica, casio, TV, Tape manipulation, vibraphone, accordion, jews harp, junk and so on. (tiny echoes of Beefheart, Zappa, early Americana, Exotica, 60’s electronics but essentially this is a highly original confection, so comparisons don't help. Composed material. Home-made.

Location LONDON, GREATER LONDON - United Kingdom

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