7 Hurtz

Charles Neal’s book Tape Delay identifies seven hertz as the sound frequency most lethal to the human body, capable of triggering prolapse, internal organ damage, disorientation, vomiting, nausea, and fatality; the initial person to produce it reportedly perished from the attempt. UK DJs Lascelles Gordon and Ben Cowan drew on this information when forming their project 7-Hurtz. Gordon, who helped establish the UK acid jazz outfit Brand New Heavies, has also played drums for Sandals, Beth Orton, and Campag Velocet while operating the club night ‘Helter Stupid’. Cowan’s background includes dance work with the contemporary companies Ricochet and Bedlam as well as membership in the LoWilliams Band. United by a shared affinity for Jean Jacques Perry, John Carpenter soundtracks, and electro, the pair generate sparse, pulsing tracks that merge early-80s electro with current deep ‘n’ dark breaks, an approach they intentionally devised to sidestep their earlier output. 7-Hurtz has worked with Peaches and Bitch Lap Lap, supplying a version of Prince’s “Sexy Dancer” for the compilation If I Was Prince. Their recordings Audiophiliac and Electroleum appeared on Output, the label created by graphic designer, producer, and musician Trevor Jackson.