I, Absentee - Artists

21 Jumpsuit

21 Jumpsuit is the musical explorations of Carl States - a post-rock / electronic fusion into very unique and original results. Carl States is a multi-instumentalist from Canton, Ohio; a guitarrist, live drummer, accomplished DJ, programmer, etc. One of the original signings with I, Absentee, he represents some of the most stunning sounds to come forth from the label. 21 Jumpsuit debuted on our Birth Certificate compilation, with much praise for his excellent track 'Who Lives Next Door'. His full length, 'I Heard You Were Away', was finally released in December 2008. The release was celebrated with a live show opening for Nightmares On Wax.

Alpha Aesar

Alpha Aesar is the former musical escapades of Mr. Kroll and Mr. States, now known as Dorosoto and 21 Jumpsuit respectively. Alpha Aesar is a throwback to vintage analog IDM, influenced by the early output of labels such as Warp, Rephlex and, perhaps most heavily, Canada's Suction Records. The project existed from 1999-2001, in the early stages of each artists' musical ambitions. The songs were originally recorded live to cassette. In the years since, these songs have circulated privately among their artist friends and has always maintained a high regard among the few to have heard it. Time has held the songs well, preserving them as a capsule of classic low-fi analog electronic. I, Absentee released a full retrospective of all of the duo's output, remastered and featuring brand new remixes in summer 2008.

Boozhownd Doggonit

Boozhownd Doggonit is Tom Drury. A favorite among the I, Absentee crew and an original signing with the label, his music is truly unlike anything out there. Sometimes tongue-in-cheek, sometimes serious, always unique... This is custom music for your ghettoblaster deluxxe. With a blatant disregard for all trends hip hop, the Boozhowd paves new paths along the carcasses of the former ghetto elite. $$$ Debut full-length out now. Not for the faint of melody...

D.D. NewMole

D.D. NewMole is Dan Petrarca of Akron-area Ohio. He began making music nearly 14 years ago on his electric guitar, with a focus to write original compositions not mimicking his influences. He went on to learn drums and organ, before eventually being introduced to the world of jungle / drum'n'bass. From there, the initial stages of D.D. NewMole began. Dan tought himself how to use various hardware sequencers, samplers and synths, before eventually taking on computers. After years of recording and programming entirely self-taught (none of his peers were listening to or playing electronic), Dan went to a recording workshop and learned "the correct ways" to record, long after the fact... He then took on a circuit bending apprenticeship with Mr. Reed Ghazala (the creator of circuit bending). Presently, Dan is mixing acoustic and electronic instruments, and the results are emerging as some of the strongest sounds to come forth from the label. His debut album, 'The Earth Trembled', was released in autumn 2008. Next up is an installment in I, Absentees 'Twilight Fires' series.

Dorosoto

Since 2005, Warren Kroll has been recording solo output under the name of Dorosoto. Warren began recording with Carl States (21 Jumpsuit) in the late 1990s, as Alpha Aesar. In the early part of the decade, WKInc marked the beginnings of his solo ventures. With many drafts, sketches and beats formulated through those years, Dorosoto ultimately emerged as the sound he'd been striving for. First came the self-released 'EP1', passed out among friends. It marked new ventures into lush, ambient soundscapes, with downtempo beats and sparse melodies woven throughout. Soon after, Dorosoto emerged with a pair of notable remixes. First was a remix of Black Moth Super Rainbow's track, 'Lost, Picking Flowers In The Woods.' The remix appeared for a limited time on the official Black Moth website, before ultimately surfacing on our 'Birth Certificate' compilation. Then came a remix for Warren's own alter-ego of Forrest, for the 'Summer Sounds Asleep' album on U-Cover in 2007. In 2008, Dorosoto fully came into stride with the release of his 'Hypnotic Gyre' EP, which marked our debut I, Absentee release. He is currently at work on a debut full-length under the Dorosoto name, while also balancing work as Forrest, as well as The Red Falcon Projects, his collaboration with Mall Security.

Forrest

On the heels of Dorosoto, Warren Kroll began exploring new sounds as Forrest. The project took ambient aspects into the forefront, with epic drones and spacey soundscapes. Forrest released his 'Summer Sounds Asleep' album on U-Cover in 2007 to critical acclaim. He then capped off the year with the follow-up 'Indiana Burn' 3" EP. In 2008, Warren brought his Forrest sounds to I, Absentee for a split with Moustache Mountain, limited to a mere 25 copies. 'Swepstone Songs' included artwork designed directly by Forrest, and continued his sound into new horizons. The release was picked up by U-Cover for an expanded version, featuring a new chapter, 'Dune' by Ontayso.

Lunar Testing Lab

Lunar Testing Lab is Eric Watson of West Pennsylvania. Eric, a massive vinyl enthusiast, carries a longtime fascination for outer space. He began the Lunar Testing Lab project around 2004, frequently making signature use of shortwave radios, alongside his heavy sampling prowess. Finding obscure rhythms from his vast collections of jazz, lounge, soul, funk, electronic and more, his results are a sound highly unique and very...Area 51. LTL first surfaced as a part of Black Moth Super Rainbow's MP3 remix series, alongside acts such as Milieu and Dorosoto. He then appeared on our 'Birth Certificate' compilation, with the track Luna 2. A full-length for the label, 'Space Debris', was completed and released in autumn 2008.

Mall Security

Mall Security is Steve Lutes, of South Bend, Indiana. Steve has a style of highly complex digital programming over synth melodies, ranging from downtempo IDM, to songs approaching full-blown synth-pop. His sounds are continually fascinating and ever-evolving. He is a very prolific artist, also recording under the name Kontyx and recently forming one half of The Red Falcon Projects with Dorosoto. He has years of material already under his belt, with much more in the works. His first formal offering came in his debut full-length, 'Things I Thought Of And Made' and helped him emerge as one of the favorites among fans of the label. Mall Security is next kicking off the debut installment in I, Absentee's 'Twilight Fires' series.

Michael Stoltz

Michael Stolz, at only 17 years of age, already has countless recordings to his name, crossing nearly every genre you can think of. His material through I, Absentee is the first to see an official release. The songs are very dark, synth-stained epics - like a soundtrack to an electrical storm on the outskirts of Orion. There's also a heavy influence of video games thoughout his works. He is quickly making leaps and bounds with each new recording, and will definitely be a name you continue to see impressive things from. His debut EP, 'Blizzard Machine' was released in summer 2008, with lots more recordings in the works.

The Red Falcon Projects

The Red Falcon Corporation is a mega-complex bent on ruling mankind with mutant aliens. When they're not occupied with that task, among their many hobbies, they like to make electronic music. The Red Falcon Projects is overseen by Warren Kroll (Dorosoto, Forrest) and Steve Lutes (Mall Security, Kontyx). They recieve broadcasts from the future, transmitted through their synthesizers and drum machines. The first of these transmissions began in 2008, via the 'Birth Certificate' compilation. More transmissions are forthcoming...

Speed Control Head

Speed Control Head is the works of Carl States. Carl first began his musical explorations in Alpha Aesar, with Warren Kroll (Dorosoto). After the completion of that project he began to pursue solo ventures, producing this self-titled disc of electronica, with shades of drum'n'bass woven in the mix. The album finally surfaced in 2008 as the first full-length on I, Absentee. Carl has also recorded as Orlando Copping, turning up on U-Cover for Forrest's 'Summer Sounds Asleep' album. Over recent times, he's taken on a new musical project under the name 21 Jumpsuit. Speed Control Head still represents an excellent showcase of his pitch-perfect programming and electronic prowess.