vintage credenza is the solo project of Meanjin dilettante John Russell.
Incepted in 2007 and initially called “Drṓwryh Creesp”, the project started out in Russell’s bedroom, recording guitar, bass, piano and percussion with a USB microphone and FL Studio on an old dingy laptop.
Inspired by the likes of Sumner McKane, Bohren & der Club of Gore and Tim Hecker, Russell attempted to mimic his creations around these innovators but fell exasperatingly short due to his lack of technical prowess and recording knowledge. Still, there are some moments of beauty and charm in these early DIY recordings.
Things came to an abrupt end in 2011 when Russell lost everything he owned in a flood.
The project was reanimated in 2023 when inspired by Lite Fails to contribute to the Gaza fundraiser album Solidarity Soundwaves. Renamed “vintage credenza”, this modern iteration of the project sees Russell leaning into ambient realms, soundscapes, field recordings and collaboration.
This new direction has manifested in a new EP series entitled Drone Prompts. Simple in concept; Russell creates drones/soundscapes and sends them to select Meanjin sound artists, and from that unique sonic prompt they are invited to create an entirely new piece.
The second iteration in the series, Drone Prompts II, sees collaborators Ghostwoods, ff8282, Chris Perren, and Timothy Fairless creating beautiful pieces ranging from understated ambient expeditions to unexpected math rock noodling.
