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TOMORROW NIGHT: Azusa Plane retrospective album launch / Jason DiEmilio Memorial @ JB's
When Jason DiEmilio died in 2006, the Clifton Heights native didn't just leave behind a rich catalog of experimental drone-psychedelia. The 36-year-old guitarist/composer left a loving assemblage of friends and fellow players devastated by his sudden departure and desirous of keeping his music alive.
TOMORROW NIGHT: Azusa Plane retrospective album launch / Jason DiEmilio Memorial @ JB’s
When Jason DiEmilio died in 2006, the Clifton Heights native didn’t just leave behind a rich catalog of experimental drone-psychedelia. The 36-year-old guitarist/composer left a loving assemblage of friends and fellow players devastated by his sudden departure and desirous of keeping his music alive.
For those of us who witnessed Azusa Plane’s music in real time — shows across Philadelphia, singles on his own Doorstep Vinyl label, the raw silken America is Dreaming of Universal String Theory (1998) through his Colorful Clouds for Acoustics imprint, countless cassette appearances like Resonating Subtleties and compilations galore — the sensation was awesome. I don’t mean “awesome” as “nice” or “cool.” The Azusa Plane was mesmerizing and all-encompassing. Nothing DiEmilo did was a casual listen. Writing about him then was never a job. It was an honor, a genuine joy to behold as you were entranced by every layered lick and sonorously avant-orchestral brushstroke.
Back in the mad bad 1990s, Vinita Joshi was one of the people most devoted to keeping DiEmilio’s music alive then and now. As a co-founder of Che Records (she also started Rocket Girl, and was integral in Cheree from which Che sprung) carried a large selection of limited editions, split singles (like Azusa’s half of “Siempra Azul” with Loopdroop) and deep-underground albums. “We bought the Doorstep Vinyl releases from Jason which is prob when we were first in touch,” says Joshi who recalls first meeting the home recording enthusiast and Fender-fond guitarist at the first Terrastock festival in Rhode Island in 1997.
Rather than compile that which is readily available, Joshi’s Rocket Girl is releasing an Azusa Plane retrospective, Where the Sands Turn to Gold, and sponsoring a listening party and retrospective gig featuring friends such as Asteroid #4, Mariner Nine and Fuxa. The handsomely produced double-disc set features over two hours of music with a DVD of a 30-minute live set that will screen as part of this Saturday’s event. Never and rarely heard tracks, an interview with DiEmilio and a gorgeously expansive booklet of essays fill the package.
“The rarest find for me was prob that interview with Jason on a DAT he had sent me with a track when I was trying to do an album for Silver Apples,” says Joshi. “Hearing the unedited version and Jason's voice was a real find I think.” Any excuse to hear the Azusa Plane and gather in the name of Jason DiEmilio is fine by me.
Sat., Oct. 29, 8 p.m., $10, with Fuxa, Asteroid #4 and Mariner Nine, Johnny Brenda's 1201 N. Frankford Ave., johnnybrendas.com.
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