{"id":32195,"date":"2025-05-13T20:20:45","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T18:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/warsztatykultury.pl\/new-yorks-stone-tapes-label-at-east-of-culture-different-sounds-2025\/"},"modified":"2025-05-13T20:20:48","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T18:20:48","slug":"new-yorks-stone-tapes-label-at-east-of-culture-different-sounds-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/warsztatykultury.pl\/en\/new-yorks-stone-tapes-label-at-east-of-culture-different-sounds-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"New York\u2019s Stone Tapes label at East of Culture \u2013 Different Sounds"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Legendary guitarist and co-founder of Sonic Youth Lee Ranaldo, ambient pioneer Laraaji, and genre-defying musician and producer Yonatan Gat will headline and curate a special concert series during this year\u2019s edition of East of Culture \u2013 Different Sounds in Lublin, 3\u20136 July. Their performances will be part of a broader showcase of Stone Tapes, a New York-based independent label that\u2019s quickly become a hub for visionary alternative music from around the world.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u00a0This year marks the 18th edition of Lublin\u2019s Different Sounds and the 12th as part of East of Culture: a project by the National Centre for Culture, funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, linking the eastern Polish cities of Lublin, Bia\u0142ystok, and Rzesz\u00f3w\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the heart of every edition of the festival is a spotlight on a unique music label \u2014 one that opens a window onto different ways of releasing music, different business models, artistic philosophies, and cultural contexts. These curated showcases often highlight specific genres or regional scenes, offering a deeper sense of time and place through sound.
\nIn 2025, that honour goes to Stone Tapes \u2014 a label that has swiftly established itself as a leading voice for the most adventurous and revered sounds in the global avant-garde scene. a label that has swiftly established itself as a leading voice for the most adventurous and revered sounds in the global avant-garde. This New York be, now a hub for iconic figures from the global alternative scene of the past five decades, is the Stone Tapes label, which we will encounter this July in Lublin.<\/p>\n

Stone Tapes<\/h2>\n

Stone Tapes is a New York-based independent music label founded in 2022, helmed from its inception by Yonatan Gat \u2013 a guitarist, composer, and producer known notably from the cult trio Monotonix and the Medicine Singers project. The imprint began its journey as a sub-label of the renowned Joyful Noise Recordings, with whom Gat is also involved. This Indianapolis-based label releases luminaries such as CocoRosie, Deerhoof, David Yow, and Tropical Fuck Storm, firmly placing it at the forefront of global alternative music.
\nAs for Stone Tapes, in just a few years, the New Yorkers have not only released a series of outstanding albums but also assembled a collective of exceptional artists. Today, Stone Tapes\u2019 roster includes Lee Ranaldo (co-founder of Sonic Youth), Laraaji, Maalem Hassan Ben Jaafar, and Mamady Kouyate, among others. Crucially, the label\u2019s artistic explorations focus equally on groundbreaking alternative sounds and original ethnic music from diverse cultural backgrounds. As a result, the label\u2019s catalog offers a full stylistic spectrum \u2013 from raw guitar noise and North African futurism to Saharan textures, niche, ambitious electronics, and music from Indigenous North American traditions.<\/p>\n

The Lublin showcase will feature three extraordinary concerts, each curated and presented by one of these exceptional artists: Laraaji, Lee Ranaldo, and Yonatan Gat. Each possesses a unique, signature approach to music and sound, which will be the central theme of their dedicated festival performances.<\/p>\n

As part of the label\u2019s presentation in Lublin, there will also be a meeting on the New York independent scene with Yonatan Gat and musicians active in Stone Tapes.<\/p>\n

Laraaji<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 A multi-instrumentalist, composer, and brilliant pianist and improviser, also known for his use of traditional instruments such as the zither and mbira. He is equally fascinated by Eastern culture and mysticism as by contemporary ambient music. One of his landmark works is the album \u2018Ambient 3: Day of Radiance,\u2019 released by Brian Eno in his legendary \u2018Ambient\u2019 series. In the 1970s, Laraaji also gained renown for his street performances across various parts of New York City, solidifying his place in history as one of the city\u2019s musical legends. In 2023, Pitchfork magazine named him one of the most important figures in New Age and ambient music. His concerts are true sonic journeys, often resembling meditation.
\nAdditionally, through his artistic collaborations within the Stone Tapes label, he plays a prominent role as a member of the Medicine Singers.<\/p>\n

Lee Ranaldo<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 is an iconic figure in the American independent music scene \u2014 a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and a key leader of countercultural music movements of the past 50 years, spanning alternative rock, experimental avant-garde, no wave, and noise. As a co-founder of Sonic Youth, a band that reshaped the course of music history, his influence is both vast and enduring.<\/p>\n

In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him #33 on its list of \u2018The Greatest Guitarists of All Time,\u2019 and in 2012, Spin magazine placed him \u2014 alongside Sonic Youth bandmate Thurston Moore \u2014 at #1 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists. n 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him #33 on its list of \u2018The Greatest Guitarists of All Time,\u2019 and in 2012, Spin magazine placed him \u2014 alongside Sonic Youth bandmate Thurston Moore \u2014 at #1 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists.
\nLee Ranaldo is a person of many talents, and each of his concerts, whether solo or in a collaboration, is always a profound experience. Beyond his masterful guitar technique, the artist is also fascinated by the world of contemporary art, the use of multimedia, and field recording.<\/p>\n

Y<\/strong>onatan Gat \u2013 is a guitar virtuoso and one of the top artists in the avant-garde music scene of New York. Alternative music fans know him primarily from the cult trio Monotonix, which captivated the world with its explosive, wild concerts. He also consistently collaborates with musicians from renowned formations such as Sonic Youth, Swans, and Godspeed You Black Emperor, as well as masters of ethnic music like Maalem Hassan Ben Jaafar and Mamady Kouyate. Beyond composing and performing his own music, Yonatan Gat is also actively involved in releasing other artists. To this end, he established his own label \u2013 Stone Tapes, which we are extensively showcasing during this year\u2019s Different Sounds.<\/p>\n

Who else is set to take the stage at Different Sounds?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Earlier, we have unveiled the artists set to perform at this year\u2019s edition of the festival. Here\u2019s a taste of what\u2019s to come:<\/p>\n