The Azusa Plane - Tycho Magnetic Anomaly and the Full Consciousness of Hidden Harmony

 

The story of Jason DiEmilio is a tragedy. As The Azusa Plane, he recorded a handful of wonderful albums of guitar drone, noise and blistering free-rock. He also recorded several vinyl EPs and split singles with people like Lab Rat, Grimble Grumble, Ariel M, Fuxa, Loren MazzaCane Connors and more. His concerts were famously high-volume, as his live album "Result Dies With the Worker" makes plain. Then in 2000, he became stricken with hyperacusis, a condition that makes all sounds, even quiet ones, unbearably loud. The effect was that he was in excruciating agony that never abated. Through his years of visiting neurologists and other doctors who specialized in hearing, he learned that there was no known cause or cure for hyperacusis. In fact, most doctors couldn't find anything wrong with DiEmilio. He got rid of all of his gear, moved into a small apartment in New York by himself, and in 2006 at the age of 36, he committed suicide as a direct result of not be deal with the never-ending pain. 

Luckily for us listeners, we can appreciate the excellent music he left behind. This is his first full CD album, released by Camera Obscura in 1997. For fans of Flying Saucer Attack, Charalambidies, RST, Sunroof!, Stars of the Lid, Roy Montgomery and stuff in the vein.  

The Azusa Plane - Tycho Magnetic Anomaly and the Full Consciousness of Hidden Harmony 

Posted by Mrs. Inside at 10:30
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5 comments:

sebekulten,  12 October 2020 at 11:48  

sad story indeed

Double Dubz,  12 October 2020 at 18:26  

SO tragic. Lends a creepiness to listening to his music today. I've subjected my ears to so much sonic punishment w/o any protection--it makes one wonder how close one gets...was it combinatorial for Jason? etc....

Mrs. Inside,  13 October 2020 at 01:39  

Some people exposed to extreme high volume (including many who play in loud rock bands) suffer very little or no effects other than mild hearing loss over time. Many people develop tinnitus. So far, though, it's not known what causes hyperacusis, which is still relatively rare. I've read that high volume sound might have something to do with it if the sufferer already has a pre-existing condition like Lyme disease.

Anonymous,  13 October 2020 at 18:26  

Caligari:
top psichedelia!

sumyum,  14 October 2020 at 09:54  

heard the name but one of those that got away from me back in the day- thanks for the chance to check out his work- incredibly sad story about his condition and life-

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