ELEH

Anonymous project Eleh constructs immersive, minimalist drones primarily using analog and modular synthesizers, placing an emphasis on low-frequency oscillation and resonant acoustic phenomena. While Eleh’s identity has never been publicly disclosed, the artist has performed live, and is closely affiliated with Massachusetts-based independent label Important Records, which has issued many of the project’s recordings since 2006. Other releases have appeared on labels like Touch, Taiga, and Line. Eleh has also worked with another anonymous artist as Deceh, collaborated with Duane Pitre as Pitreleh, and released split LPs with Pauline Oliveros, Ellen Fullman, Christina Kubisch, and others. On later recordings such as 2019′s Living Space, Eleh incorporates additional instruments such as piano, bass, and chimes, while maintaining a minimal aesthetic.
Eleh was established in 1999, and the project’s first release, Floating Frequencies/Intuitive Synthesis I, appeared on Important Records in 2006. The album was created using analog synthesizers, tube oscillators, and guitars, and incorporated tones below the range of human hearing. Two additional volumes followed, and in 2008, Eleh released split LPs with Pauline Oliveros and Sun Circle, as well as Homage to the Square Wave, the project’s first Taiga Records release. Homage to the Sine Wave followed in 2009, while several other releases continued to appear on Important, including the more exploratory Retreat and Return, two volumes of Meditations & Improvisations, and a split LP with Nana April Jun. The self-titled debut by Deceh was also released that year.
2010 brought Location Momentum (Eleh’s first release on Touch) as well as Repose, Radiant Intervals, and a split with Ellen Fullman. Three Deceh releases and a triple-CD compilation of the Floating Frequencies trilogy appeared in 2011. In 2012, Eleh released Retreat Return Repose (another triple-CD reissue), Homage to the Pointed Waveforms, The Weight of Accumulation, and a split LP with Duane Pitre. The duo also worked together on a 2013 full-length as Pitreleh. Other releases that year included a split LP by Deceh and Total Life, a vinyl box set of the three Homage albums issued by Taiga, and Eleh’s For Moussavi Atrium, composed for a performance at the Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art. Two limited releases, Polarizer and the one-sided LP Circle Three: Full Moon at 35hz, appeared in 2014. Polarizer 2, a CD edition of Homage, and a split with Tara Jane O'Neil followed in 2015.
In 2017, Eleh released two LINELEH collaborations with Richard Chartier, a split LP with Christina Kubisch, and the proper full-length Home Age. Bestie Infinite/Wear Patterns, a split release with Caterina Barbieri, arrived in 2018. Home Age 2, Living Space (Eleh’s second Touch full-length), and the cassette release Floating Frequencies/Intuitive Synthesis IV all appeared in 2019. A vinyl edition of Living Space, a split album with NYZ, and the Harry Bertoia-inspired Harmonic Twins were issued in 2020. ~ Paul Simpson