Category Archives: Brainticket

2020/01/06

JOEL VANDROOGENBROECK, Belgian Experimental Music Pioneer & Founder Of Legendary Krautrock Band BRAINTICKET, Passes Away At The Age Of 81

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

JOEL VANDROOGENBROECK, Belgian Experimental Music Pioneer & Founder Of Legendary Krautrock Band BRAINTICKET, Passes Away At The Age Of 81

Los Angeles, CA – Joel Vandroogenbroeck was a musical pioneer in every sense of the phrase. His classical and jazz training combined with his passion for computers and electronic synthesizers united the digital and analog worlds, creating some of the most forward-thinking music of the 1970s. Born in Brussels, Vandroogenbroeck earned numerous accolades as a young pianist and was touring Europe by the time he was a teenager. But as the musical and cultural explosion brought on by the ‘60s spread throughout the world, Vandroogenbroeck found himself drifting further outside of the mainstream to a place of exploration and experimentation in psychedelic music inspired by bands such as Tangerine Dream and Amon Duul II. He formed his own band, Brainticket, and released the highly regarded debut album Cottonwoodhill in 1971. Psychonaut followed the next year and the epic Celestial Ocean capped things off in 1973. These early albums along with the later period Brainticket recordings constitute some of the finest electronic psych music ever laid down.

Vandroogenbroeck teamed with Los Angeles-based indie label Cleopatra Records to reissue his catalog of albums along with unreleased and rare live recordings for Cleopatra’s Purple Pyramid imprint. He also revived Brainticket in 2015 with what will be their final album Past, Present & Future helped by the likes of UK Subs guitarist Nicky Garratt and German industrial artist Jürgen Engler of Die Krupps.

“I am honored & lucky  to have known him. He was such a gifted & talented person, he will be truly missed by everyone at Cleopatra & all who loved his music” – Brian Perera, Cleopatra Records

The Cleopatra Records family will greatly miss Joel Vandroogenbroeck and would like to extend its deepest condolences to his friends and loved ones.

Press inquiries: 
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

PURPLE PYRAMID RECORDS,
A division of CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

PURPLE PYRAMID RECORDS
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2018/01/31

Two Full Length Unreleased Live Recordings From Krautrock Pioneer Joel Vandroogenbroeck & Brainticket Finally See The Light Of Day!

By glassonyonpr

For Immediate Release

Two Full Length Unreleased Live Recordings From Krautrock Pioneer Joel Vandroogenbroeck & Brainticket Finally See The Light Of Day!

Los Angeles, CA – In 1980, Belgian-born multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Joel Vandroogenbroeck revived his early ‘70s avant-garde electronic act Brainticket alongside longtime member Willy Seefeldt, jazz musician Hans Deyssenroth, and Swiss jazz & electronic aficionado Bruno Spoerri. Three years later the quartet would perform their very first show in a landmark performance at the “Computer und Musik” symposium in Zürich, Switzerland. Though long a part of Brainticket lore, this concert has never before been released on a commercial format, that is, until now! Purple Pyramid records is proud to release this incredible live performance, matched with an equally historic performance in 1984 at the Théatre de Beaulieu in Lausanne, Switzerland of Vandroogenbroek and Spoerri plus Peter Fürst. Both of these full-length concert recordings contain improvisations and compositions not found anywhere else! Zürich/Lausanne is available as both a 2CD set as well as on all digital retailers!

Track List:
DISC 1: Live in Zürich – February 4, 1983
1. Flight In The Rings Of Saturn
2. Seventh Dance To Relativities / For Papa
3. Dark Star

DISC 2: Live In Lausanne – October 20, 1984
1. Bali Loop
2. Matter Matters
3. Markus’ Interlude
4. DoubLinn
5. Black Sand

Buy the CD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/brainticket-zurich-lausanne-cd/
Buy the digital version: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/z%C3%BCrich-lausanne-live/1331302439?app=itunes&at=1000lt9k

Press inquiries: 
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

PURPLE PYRAMID RECORDS,
A division of CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

PURPLE PYRAMID RECORDS
Facebook @PurplePyramidRecords
https://www.facebook.com/PurplePyramidRecords/
Instagram @Purple.pyramid
https://www.instagram.com/purple.pyramid/
Twitter @PurplePyramid1
https://twitter.com/PurplePyramid1
Youtube @ Purple Pyramid
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwiCec6bS6mX3c7dpitfYRQ
Purple Pyramid Store @
https://cleorecs.com/store/product-category/record-label/purple-pyramid/

Leave a comment | posted in Brainticket, Joel Vandroogenbroeck, Press Release

2015/06/13

Rare & Highly Sought After Coloursound Recordings By Brainticket Founder Joel Vandroogenbroeck Released In An 18CD Box Set!

By glassonyonpr

coloursound med res

For Immediate Release

Rare & Highly Sought After Coloursound Recordings By Brainticket Founder Joel Vandroogenbroeck Released In An 18CD Box Set!

Los Angeles, CA – At long last, the first ever CD release of Brainticket founder Joel Vandroogenbroeck’s much sought after Coloursound recordings presented in a limited edition, sequentially numbered 18CD box set! These rare recordings were released anonymously throughout the ‘70s and early ‘80s on the German-based Coloursound label, which specialized in ambient soundscapes for use in film and television, and have gone largely unheard except by those who know them to be some of the most progressive, awe-inspiring masterpieces Joel VDB ever committed to tape! The Coloursound Box also features meticulously recreated artwork from the original Coloursound LPs plus personal reflections on each album by Joel himself alongside additional liner notes by music historian Dave Thompson! The entire package is available now courtesy of Purple Pyramid Records.

Belgian-born Joel Vandroogenbroeck was playing jazz in Switzerland when he found inspiration in the new sounds emanating from German krautrock artists Amon Duul II, Can, and Tangerine Dream. Under the influence of these groups, Joel and guitarist Ron Byer recruited drummer Wolfgang Paap and formed the trio that would become Brainticket. The group’s 1971 debut album Cottonwoodhill immediately ran into a storm of controversy for its association with psychedelic drugs. The album came with a warning label that insisted you should “only listen once a day to this record. Your brain might be destroyed,” which led to the album being banned in several countries including the USA.

From then on, Brainticket’s reputation as a band of experimentalists at the forefront of underground, avant-garde music had been solidified. Following the death of Bryer, Brainticket regrouped for 1972’s Psychonaut followed by Celestial Ocean, which told the after-life experience of Egyptian kings traveling through space and time. Released in 1973, the album was hailed as the definitive Brainticket experience and earned the band their greatest acclaim. And Joel has continued to explore new creative avenues over the decades, releasing more albums under the Brainticket moniker, including his most recent offering Past, Present & Future, which was released in February of this year by Purple Pyramids. The Coloursound Box is sure to please fans of Brainticket as well as fans of adventurous, avant-garde music!

DISC 1: Images of Flutes in Nature
DISC 2: Biomechanoid
DISC 3: Contemporary Pastoral & Ethnic Sounds
DISC 4: Meditations Vol 1
DISC 5: Meditations Vol 2
DISC 6: Birth Of Earth
DISC 7: Lost Continents
DISC 8: Open Air Impressions
DISC 9: Computer Blossoms
DISC 10: Industrial Retrospect
DISC 11: Mesopotamia Egypt
DISC 12: Joel However
DISC 13: Middle Ages
DISC 14: Southeast Asia
DISC 15: Digital Project
DISC 16: Video Games & Data Movements
DISC 17: California – Industrial & Scenic Moods
DISC 18: Brainticket Remix 88

Order the box set from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Coloursound-Box-Limited-500-Copies/dp/B00W4L0PFS

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
http://www.CleopatraRecords.com

Leave a comment | posted in Brainticket, Joel Vandroogenbroeck, Press Release

2013/05/23

Purple Pyramid Records To Reissue Seminal 1971 Debut Album By Krautrock Legends Brainticket ‘Cottonwoodhill’ On CD May 7, 2013

By glassonyonpr

brainticket cottonwoodhill

For Immediate Release

Purple Pyramid Records To Reissue Seminal 1971 Debut Album By Krautrock Legends Brainticket ‘Cottonwoodhill’ On CD May 7, 2013

Warning! Only listen once a day to this disc. Your brain might be destroyed!

Los Angeles, CA – Much to the excitement of Krautrock fans and music collectors worldwide, Purple Pyramid Records will be reissuing the seminal 1971 debut album and psych-groove masterpiece by legendary Brainticket titled ‘Cottonwoodhill’ on CD May 7, 2013. Featuring full digital remastering for superior sonic clarity and packaged with extensive liner notes by music historian Dave Thompson!

Brainticket is the brainchild of Joel Vandroogenbroeck, a Belgian based in Switzerland who grew up studying classical piano before switching to jazz. He received the Art Tatum prize as “youngest jazz pianist” at the tender age of fifteen, and was soon touring around Europe and Africa. By 1967, Joel was still playing jazz but he found new inspiration in the sounds emanating from German Krautrock artists Amon Duul II, Can and Tangerine Dream.Under the influence of these groups, Joel and guitarist Ron Byer recruited drummer Wolfgang Paap and formed the trio that would become Brainticket. The group’s 1971 debut album ‘Cottonwoodhill’ immediately ran into a storm of controversy for its association with psychedelic drugs. The album came with a warning label that insisted you should “Only listen once a day to this record. Your brain might be destroyed,” which led to the album being banned in several countries including the USA.

From then on, Brainticket’s reputation as a band of experimentalists at the forefront of underground, avant-garde music had been solidified. Following the death of Bryer, Joel began exploring electronic sounds, moved to Italy and met an American woman named Carole Muriel. A pair of Swiss musicians, guitarist Rolf Hug and bassist Martin Sacher, followed and the group released 1972’s ‘Psychonaut’. A rock opera collaboration with Academy Award winning film composer Bill Conti (‘Rocky’) followed before Joel began work on a new Brainticket album based on the ‘Egyptian Book of the Dead’. The new album, ‘Celestial Ocean’, told the after-life experience of Egyptian kings traveling through space and time, from the desert land to the pyramids. Released in 1973, the album was hailed as the definitive Brainticket experience and earned the band their greatest acclaim.

Joel has continued to explore new creative avenues over the decades, releasing two more albums under the Brainticket moniker, including 2000’s ‘Alchemic Universe’. Recently, he teamed with Cleopatra Records to release the first ever Brainticket box set, ‘The Vintage Anthology 1971-1980’, a 4-disc compilation containing the complete first three albums along with several rare recordings. The box set is a celebration of Brainticket’s enormous contributions to electronic and ambient music that would provide inspiration for progressive bands from Emerson Lake & Palmer to Yes as well as modern acts such as Radiohead.

Joel recently discussed Brianticket with writer Dave Thompson, “We were not a group, we were a place where creation was made and this place was Cottonwoodhill, even if it was never mentioned in the later albums. Besides myself trying to keep this together, every recording has different people. In general, it did work to our advantage. There was an encounter, an inspiration, a production and after that everyone went away on his own path. I believe that this concept is what made Brainticket so original as we never were the ‘perfect concert band.’ We had something different to offer.”

They still do. In 2012, Brainticket went out on the road, touring the US with a set that reached all the way back to these magnificent beginnings. And when he was interviewed at tour’s end, Joel was still flying high. “At the start I didn’t believe that this would be possible, but I can say now that this was one of my best experiences with Brainticket. New blood flew in my veins. I was invited all over the place and the concerts were a huge success. People my age that were still huge fans of Brainticket mixed with young generations that wanted to learn from me, what I knew, and experience what I had done with music. It was like a dream. A space rock invasion!”

And now, with the re-issue of Brainticket’s debut album ‘Cottonwoodhill’, fans can experience where it all began!

Advice… After listening to this disc, your friends won’t know you anymore!

To purchase Brainticket’s Cottonwood Hill CD: http://www.amazon.com/Cottonwoodhill-Brainticket/dp/B00BSHYWMQ/ref=tmm_acd_title_popover

For more information: http://brainticketband.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR. PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
http://www.CleopatraRecords.com

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