#125: Babak Ahteshamipour

The CEO in cellophane, what the hands choose to do, turning to bone. The experimental duo discuss their important albums.Able Noise's picks: This Heat – DeceitU.S. Maple – TalkerCindy Lee – What's Tonight To EternityPalm – Nicks And GrazesHead over to the Able Noise Bandcamp to find their full-length record High Tide, released on World Of Echo. They're also on Instagram and Linktree.This is the last Crucial Listening for a little while, but I'll be back in 2026. Thank you so much for your support!Donate to Crucial Listening on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

"Play more Beefheart", broken Elvis, a background to life. The composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist discusses three important albums. Maurice's picks:Captain Beefheart – Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller)Annette Peacock – I'm The OneUmm Kulthum – Al Awela Fel GharamMaurice's new solo album is titled Barĩy (Fera) برٌِي and is released on Simsara Records. Check it out on Bandcamp. The new Dwarfs Of East Agouza album, titled Sasquatch Landslide, will be released in October on Constellation. Preview it here.Donate to Crucial Listening on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Freaks are drawn to freaks, hauntological boombox, wobbly drum solos. Dean Lloyd Robinson discusses three important albums.Dean's picks:Cult Ritual – LP1Oscillating Innards – Nadir EmergenceSongs: Ohia – The GhostThe latest knifedoutofexistence EP is called Objects That Once Breathed. You can check that out on the knifed Bandcamp and buy it on BigCartel. Here's a Linktree with links to Dean's music, everything Outsider Art and more.Donate to Crucial Listening on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

The brittle and the velvet, instrument elevation, motific deconstruction, exhibiting the romantic. Collaborators Zosha Warpeha + Mariel Terán discuss their important albums.Zosha's picks: Georg Buljo + Nils Økland – NeveAnne Hytta – DraumsynMariel's picks:Kaija Saariaho – Notes On Light, Orion, MiragePedestrian Deposit – Dyer's HandsZosha and Mariel's new album, Orbweaver, is out now on Outside Time. Check it out here. Zosha's website is here, and you can find Mariel on Instagram and Soundcloud.Donate to Crucial Listening on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Scared-fish drones, a reckoning with low frequencies, damp cardboard noise wall, cinematic conjurings. The Taiwanese experimental artist discusses important noise/drone albums with host Jack Chuter.Lucia's picks:Emptyset – MediumPedestrian Deposit – Dyer's HandsJack's picks:Aleksandra Słyż – A Vibrant Touchunless – unlessLucia and Jack play together in the band Falling Cat Problem. Their debut release "Inclination" was released on Hard Return. Lucia's latest solo record as en creux is circumference, released on Brachliegen Tapes. Lucia's website is here, and she's also on Bandcamp.Donate to Crucial Listening on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Bach in the club, big idea music, slow sensual states of being. The LA-based pianist and composer discusses three important albums.Qur'an's picks:Bach – Glenn Gould – The Goldberg Variations (both 1955 and 1981)Esperanza Spalding – Emily’s D+EvolutionThe Internet – Ego DeathQur'an's new album is called Pulse, and it's out now on Leaving Records. Check it out on Bandcamp. Qur'an is also on Instagram.Donate to Crucial Listening on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Low every night, channelling relaxation, meeting musical geniuses. Takiaya Reed discusses three important albums.Takiaya's picks:Low – HEY WHATAlina Baraz + Galimatias – Urban FloraUnknown Mortal Orchestra – Sex & FoodThe new Divide & Dissolve album is called Insatiable, and it's out now on Bella Union. Check it out here. The Divide And Dissolve website is here, and they're also on Instagram.Donate to Crucial Listening on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Wine and cigarettes, heart and spirit, the cranky and the problematic. The sound artist and musician from Istanbul discusses three important albums.Hüma's picks:Bohren & Der Club Of Gore – Piano NightsHuun-Huur-Tu – Ancestors CallNine Inch Nails – The FragileHüma's latest album is titled Dracones, and it's out now on Editions Mego. Check it out here. Hüma's website is here.Donate to Crucial Listening on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Shooting a shotgun at a water tower, textural amalgams on the Silk Road, kindness in music. The LA-based musician discusses three important albums.Dustin's picks:Motohiko Hamase – ReminiscenceSteve Shehan – Arrowsgoo age – Open ZoneDustin's recent pleasures:Co La – Moody CoupLucy Liyou – Every Video Without Your Face, Every Sound Without Your NameDustin's new album, Gloria, is out now on Hausu Mountain. Check it out on Bandcamp. Dustin is on Instagram. Here's that fabulous track-by-track run-through of Gloria on Flood Magazine.Donate to Crucial Listening on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

The flesh and bone of synthesis, all the power in one drum, great songs with shit mixes. The Réunion island-based electronic maloya producer discusses three important albums.Jako's picks: Danyel Waro – BatarsitéPatrick Manent – Kozmann kerEPROM – HalflifeJako's new album is called Mahavélouz and it's out on Nyege Nyege Tapes. Check it out here. Jako's website is here and he's also on Instagram.I'd also like to flag the fabulous interview with Jako by Navel Gazers, which was a helpful reference point while preparing for this interview. You can read that here.Donate to Crucial Listening on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening