Yeast Culture


Main image

An experimental recording group in Seattle, WA started by UW DJs at KCMU Radio in the mid-80s. Yeast Culture did a lot of field recordings around the islands in Puget Sound, and in empty buildings. They inhabited a derelict 1950s apartment building known as Main Plant where shows were held and a shop was set up to sell noise records. Early records were made here. In the late eighties they moved to a downtown warehouse space, continuing the shop and publishing more records and hosting shows. Photography and screen printing and do-it-yourself tactics were used to create record covers and more. They developed a conceptual approach to sound recording, collecting together related field recordings to create produced work. Their sound sources ranged from closely miked natural specimens such as trees and water, to live electric plasma, empty industrial sites and historical military forts. Studio techniques included musique concrete style tape manipulations, custom editing processes, and gear and environments which were designed specifically for each project.

In the late eighties through the early nineties Yeast Culture actively participated in the European noise scene, working with the Dutch labels Korm Plastics and Midas Music, and also German labels Quiet Artworks and Selektion.

The group did a gallery sound installation to accompany photography for Arthur S. Aubry, and would often conduct experimental recordings of visiting artists in their studio performance space, known as Incubator. A soundtrack and short film was also prepared with Shade Rupe.

In the early nineties, after having to vacate their studio space in the downtown Seattle area to make way for an urban development project, the group unofficially disbanded despite having accumulated a trove of incomplete recordings.
The label started by Yeast Culture is Petri Supply.

APPEARANCES +


Various
An Evening Of Garbage - Battle Of Fort Casey
2016, Cass, Comp, Ltd, Num, C90, Incubator
Various
Cruel Hole Terry
2015
Frans de Waard
Corona Rewind - Tapemusic
2010, Cass, Ltd, C45, Petri Supply
Various
Paper & Plastic
2008
Kapotte Muziek
The Use Of Recycling
1998, ,
Experimental
Peter Duimelinks
All Or Nothing
1992, 7", RRRecords, ,
Experimental
Psychic Rally
3-90
1990, Cass, Mixed, C60, Psychic Rally, ,
Noise/Experimental
Kapotte Muziek
Interaction
1990
Merzbow, Kapotte Muziek
Documentation / Collaboration
1990, Vinyl, ,
Noise
Various
Assemblage
1989, 7", Comp, Ltd, Korm Plastics, Selektion
Various
Christmas Tape 2024 Roulette LP
2025, 12", Comp, Ltd, Tusco/Embassy
Various
Hapax
2024, 27xFile, MP3, 320, Nostalgie De La Boue
Various
Hapax
2024, 27xFile, FLAC, Nostalgie De La Boue
Various
Et Si C'était Le Vent Qui Avait Raison
2024, ,
Experimental/Abstract/Field Recording
Various
Two New Lips
2022, Cass, Album, Comp, Regional Bears
Various
Christmas Tape 2015
2016, Cass, Comp, Ltd, C90, Tusco/Embassy
Various
Found Secret
2015, CD, Comp, 777 Was 666, ,
Experimental/Musique Concrète/Noise/Free Improvisation/Industrial/Power Electronics
Various
Map Of The Interior
2014, Cass, Comp, Ltd, Num, C40, Vitrine
Various
Paper & Plastic
2008, 2x CD white, Box Set, ,
Experimental
Various
Circusirus
1996, ,
Industrial/Experimental
Various
The Midas Tapes Complete 1986 - 1991
1995, 10xCass, Comp, Ltd, Box, Midas Music, Supreme Tool Supplies, ,
Industrial/Lo-Fi/Drone/Rhythmic Noise/Noise/Ambient/Abstract/Musique Concrète
Various
Er Ist Tief Und Dein Wasser Ist Dunkler
1991, ,
Experimental
Various
Cell
1990, Cass, Promo, Smplr, C62, Petri Supply, ,
Industrial/Experimental
Various
Blut Und Blüte
1990, ,
Industrial/Experimental
Kapotte Muziek
Utilities (An Album Of Collaborations)
1990
Various
Enkele Gemotiveerde Produktiemedewerkers
1990
Various
Rub Out The Word
1989, 2xCass, Comp, Ltd, Num, C60, Big Body Parts, ,
Experimental
Various
RRR Taste Test 1992 Vol 10
1992, Cass, P/Unofficial, Promo, RRRecords, ,
Experimental/Abstract/Avant-garde Jazz/Dark Ambient/Electroacoustic/Sound Collage/Musique Concrète/Industrial/Sound Art/Synthwave
Various
RRR-Taste Test 1991 - Vol 6
1991, Cass, P/Unofficial, Promo, Smplr, C48, RRRecords, ,
Industrial/New Wave/Noise/Ambient/Power Electronics/Experimental