The Dead Texan
Encyclopedia
The Dead Texan is an audio-visual musical duo comprising Adam Wiltzie
and Greek video artist Christina Vantzou. Wiltzie is better known as one half of the ambient project Stars of the Lid
. Vantzou has previously worked for MTV Netherlands, and among other projects she has participated in the production of a promotional video for Interpol
.
As of yet, there has been only one Dead Texan release, a self-titled CD/DVD package released on Kranky Records
. The DVD is divided into seven sections which add up to a half hour’s viewing time. The music is similar to that of Stars of the Lid: long, droning, and ambient soundscapes, and reminiscent of the film music of Zbigniew Preisner and George Delerue. However, the songs on the album are shorter, and lyrics can be heard at times, unlike Stars of the Lid's songs which are exclusively instrumental. In fact the songs released on The Dead Texan were initially intended to be released as another Stars of the Lid album, but it was ultimately deemed, as Wiltzie put it, "too aggressive."
Adam Wiltzie
Adam Wiltzie is a composer and sound engineer. Although he may be best known for founding the seminal ambient classical projects Stars of the Lid, The Dead Texan, and Aix Em Klemm, he also has recorded, played, and worked as a live sound engineer for famed groups such as The Flaming Lips, Mercury...
and Greek video artist Christina Vantzou. Wiltzie is better known as one half of the ambient project Stars of the Lid
Stars of the Lid
Stars of the Lid is a duo specializing in drone-based ambient music. They list among their influences minimalist and electronic composers such as Arvo Pärt, Zbigniew Preisner, Gavin Bryars, and Henryk Górecki, as well as Talk Talk , post-rock artists Labradford, and ambient innovator Brian...
. Vantzou has previously worked for MTV Netherlands, and among other projects she has participated in the production of a promotional video for Interpol
Interpol (band)
Interpol is an American indie rock and post-punk revival band from New York City. Formed in 1997, the band's original line-up consisted of Paul Banks , Daniel Kessler , Carlos Dengler and Greg Drudy . Drudy left the band in 2000 and was replaced by Sam Fogarino...
.
History
Wiltzie began composing and recording the music on his own and dabbled with combining his music with Vantzou’s videos; this eventually became a mutually collaborative project with the composition of the music and the creation of the videos becoming simultaneous.As of yet, there has been only one Dead Texan release, a self-titled CD/DVD package released on Kranky Records
Kranky Records
Kranky is an independent record label, located in Chicago, Illinois. It was started in 1993 by Bruce Adams and Joel Leoschke.The bands it houses are noted for combining experimental and often electronic influences with elements of more traditional rock structures, and many of the artists on Kranky...
. The DVD is divided into seven sections which add up to a half hour’s viewing time. The music is similar to that of Stars of the Lid: long, droning, and ambient soundscapes, and reminiscent of the film music of Zbigniew Preisner and George Delerue. However, the songs on the album are shorter, and lyrics can be heard at times, unlike Stars of the Lid's songs which are exclusively instrumental. In fact the songs released on The Dead Texan were initially intended to be released as another Stars of the Lid album, but it was ultimately deemed, as Wiltzie put it, "too aggressive."
External links
- Official website.
- Biography on Kranky RecordsKranky RecordsKranky is an independent record label, located in Chicago, Illinois. It was started in 1993 by Bruce Adams and Joel Leoschke.The bands it houses are noted for combining experimental and often electronic influences with elements of more traditional rock structures, and many of the artists on Kranky...
website.