Martine Grimaud by The Rita

Few noise artists manage to imbue their material with such sensitive, intimate emotion as Sam McKinlay.  Resolutely dedicated to his art form and the subjects therein, his work is nothing but sincere devotion.  

On the face of it Martine Grimaud is an actress known for her roles in various Euro-erotica films, but to The Rita she is much more indeed.  An example of 'aesthetic perfection’ and a most worthy subject for detailed contemplation, The Rita sets about manipulating his source material like only he can.  Spoken exchanges and passages of film score are subjected to the trademark gated fuzz turbulence the artist has become synonymous with.  Puckered folds of sticky, crunching noise gather and enfold, as voices become strangled and melody choked, occasionally straining out through the thick curtain of distortion.  The result is a devastating and heady affair that breathes and throbs as if alive.

Our intention with this release was to create a ‘virtual altar’ to its subject.  Obsessive, indulgent and committed - from the sound, the format, the design - nonchalance was not an option.  Professionally cut in the UK, the record comes housed in a thick black card jacket with hand pasted front and back artwork and a four panel insert featuring the muse herself.  Each copy also comes with a unique, hand numbered contact transfer print on ultra heavy cotton rag paper and is strictly limited to 20 copies.

UK-based label & mastering service

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