Review: S. Sturgis – In a Haze

The artist’s name alone tells you this album is excellent. In eight years, Scott Sturgis has already shown that he can do gritty industrial with Pain Station, pounding rhythm noise with Converter and experimental ambiance with Notime. After 13 releases of his other projects, the Seattle resident decided it was time to clean the slate and start yet another new project. S. Sturgis offers something completely different and as always, is absolutely amazing. The way-too-short album was recorded Jan. 8, 2004, as a live performance where Sturgis opened for a friend’s act—Euphondisson. “Euphondisson” is also the name of the last song, with nice sinking waves and layered soundscapes. In a Haze touches anywhere between seductive down-tempo, fluid ambience, rolling tribal textures and found sounds, similar to those on Notime. “Tomorrow” starts with the humming of a vacuum cleaner and subtly morphs into something beautifully mysterious and envious by all household appliances. Wailing cats sing briefly on the tribal beats of “Down.” Cover art by Jen Sturgis of Dislocation Photo fits the mood of In a Haze. (Pardon me while I pimp – check out her website, www.dislocationphoto.com. An online gallery featuring photography from Salt Lake natives along with S. Alt of Ant Zen and others.) S. Sturgis is among the most talented musicians fitting within the industrial genre and I always await the next trick up his sleeve—he never disappoints.

 This review originally appeared in Modus Operandi, May 2005, Issue 197.