Shibuya Station - Always Waiting At Shibuya Station

Shibuya Station is an all analogue minimal synth project founded by Marc Schaffer. Marc runs Analogue Records and graced the world by releasing some of the best electronic music from artists like The Silicon Scientist, Poeme Electronique, Twins Natalia, Transparent Illusion, League of Nations, Car Crash Set and countless others. In addition to Analogue Records, Marc also is also a co-founder of Nadanna Records that primarily focuses on Italo disco and synthpop. In addition to all of Marc's work with the 2 record labels, Marc is also a musician associated with Solitude FX, Endphase and Twins Natalia primarily dwelling in analogue minimal synth realms.

There is an interesting story behind the moniker Shibuya Station. Some of us already know Shibuya Station is a commuter rail system in Tokyo Japan. Along with Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Osaka Umeda, Shibuya is the fourth busiest and transports millions of people every day to and from work. Anyway, the story revolves around a Japanese Akita dog named Hachiko. This dog became a symbol of loyalty to the people of Tokyo and beyond in 1935. Everyday after work from 1924 to May 1925, Hachiko would meet his owner Hidesaburo Ueno at Shibuya Station and the two would go home together. This went on until one day Hidesaburo suffered a fatal cerebral hemorrhage at work and would never see his loving loyal Hachiko again. For 9 more years Hachiko waited at Shibuya Station every day hoping to see his master again until his death 1935, hence the name Always Waiting At Shibuya Station. 

 The opening track "Always Waiting" becomes very sad from a thematic standpoint. Knowing why the dog returns everyday experiencing the same result demonstrates the unconditional love animals can have for their humans. The story also sends a message that life is fragile and very short and we need to make the most of each day as it may be our last. Aside from the subject matter, the track has a feel from an earlier time. There is a bridging connection to the 70's and 80's with the influences working off each other to form a gentle mix of minimal electro paired with intriguing layers of masterful sound design. Unfortunately, the track is just under 2 minutes. Perhaps that is a metaphor for" life is short "and can end suddenly. 


Marc chooses to work several collaborators on the Shibuya Station project. Both Dave Hewson and Stefan Bornhorst are professionals with long resumes of work and have been associated with Marc and Analogue for a long time releasing albums by Poeme Electronique, Twins Natalia and The Silicon Scientist that demonstrate the long standing attention to the details of creating intense, amazing, intricate and well-designed sonic addictions that dwell in rarified air. Also appearing on this release is Kriistal Ann of Paradox Obscur. Kriistal is a sought after vocalist, songwriter and collaborator. We have heard Kriistal Ann's signature voice absolutely captivate our senses in so may places, most notably with Paradox Obscur, but a deeper dive into Kriistal Ann's work will show involvement with Sine Silex as well several releases under the name Kriistal Ann. Erik Soderberg (Kinder Aus Asbest), Orpheo Weidelt (Solitude FX), Hanjo Erkamp (Dox Sinistra, Ende Shneafliet) also collaborate to round out this effort with long standing ties to the minimal electronics genre and beyond. 


Always Waiting At Shibuya Station has strong feel of the artists in the DNA of each track. Originally these tracks were all on separate releases as compilation tracks. We all know when there is enough work by a minimal electronics artists, it has to be compiled and released. So, I guess it was inevitable that it would make it to vinyl as limited edition release. The label (Polytechnic Youth) decided to do just that, release this as a 10" record limited to 300 copies with artwork by the prolific Steve Lippert. Thankfully they did, because even though the tracks were scattered around several compilations, together they make a nice release full of of diversity in design, speed, sound, sequencing and hardware. Every track is strong and memorable, making it nearly impossible to pick a favorite. 

I remember ordering music by Ende Shneafliet, The Actor, Dr. C Stein, Dox Sinistra and many more off the Trumpett label. It was an eye and ear opening experience into some of the coolest underground minimal artists out there. Like many others, I this continued to explore more music with many other labels including Analogue and Polytechnic Youth. Brutal Resonance has covered The Silicon Scientist a few times, one of which was 2015's Outside The Night that is a showcase of higher order thought and execution that would even garner the admiration of Erich Zann. There is a lot of Stefan Bornhorst's style easily detected here as a collaborator with music, mixing and mastering. Reviewing some of Marc's previous efforts will also pair nicely with this release. I guess my point here is, there's a lot going on within these 6 tracks from experience and influence to style and charm. I knew I wanted this before I heard the opening seconds of "Always Waiting". 

For the those curious about the technical side, the following instruments/hardware were used on this release:  Amdek Percussion Synthesizer PCK-100, Boss Voice Transformer VT-1, Casio VL-1, Crumar Performer, DSI Mopho, Korg KR-55B, Korg MS-20, Moog Little Phatty, Moog Voyager, Novation Bass Station II, Oberheim DPX-1, Roland CR-78, Roland SH-2, Yamaha CS01, and VST synthesisers ARP Odyssey, EKSSperimental Sounds ES101, Korg MS-20.

Given the history behind all of the participants on this record, It should be a no-brainer to add to your collection. Take my words for what they are worth, or simply head over to Bandcamp and play it, and you will see my feeble articulation may actually make some sense. Right on Shibuya Station!!




Jan 06 2023