The Shadow Ring

Led by Graham Lambkin, the avant-rock minimalists known as the Shadow Ring forged an eccentric lo-fi aesthetic that drew from folk traditions, experimental noise generated on guitar and electronics alike, tape loops, and spoken-word poetry. The group took shape in Cheriton, Kent, England, where guitarist Lambkin and percussionist Daren Harris formed the core lineup, occasionally augmented by additional players. They established the Dry Leaf imprint and released their first LP, City Lights, in 1993; U.S. distribution through Siltbreeze followed for the 1994 successor, Put the Music in Its Coffin. A 1995 American tour alongside several Siltbreeze acts, among them Harry Pussy, came next. Electronics specialist Tim Goss became a permanent member in time for 1996’s Wax Work Echoes, issued on New Zealand’s Corpus Hermeticum label. Although Lambkin collaborated with Harry Pussy’s drummer/vocalist Adris Hoyos in the noise-rock outfit Transmission from 1996 to 1997, he kept the Shadow Ring active, resulting in the 1997 Siltbreeze release Hold Onto I.D. Swill Radio put out the double LP Lighthouse in 1999, which included contributions from Idea Fire Company’s Karla Borecky and Scott Foust and evoked the spirit of Captain Beefheart. Lambkin, Borecky, and Foust also launched the side project Tart, which later released the album Radio Orange, while Lambkin issued the solo effort Poem. The Shadow Ring resurfaced in 2001 with the limited-edition Swill Radio LP Lindus.