Rubber City Noise

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Akron, OH
Rubber City Noise

Explorers Collective
est. 2010
Akron, Ohio/Oakland, California Rubber City Noise (RCN) is an arts collective & record label founded in 2010 in Akron, Ohio.

09/23/2026

RCN∞5: Black Unicorn - 18047 (2012, Cassette)

Using a single synthesizer, Black Unicorn (ҽυƈαɾყα) creates “an exploration of minimalist immersion” comprised of “pulsing drone[s] . . . nebulae stutter[s] . . . submarine melodies and monolith synthscapes” that “[wash] up on the shore of some dark sea, where spectral sounds merge into galactic beeps, gigantic bowings, and robot lullabies that swell into oblivion.”

‘18047’ takes its title from the serial number of the Moog (Moog Music) Realistic Concertmate MG-1 that forms the foundation of the album. A unique hybrid of monophonic and polyphonic synthesis, the MG-1 was introduced by Moog in 1981 for sale at Radio Shack as a synthesizer for the masses. Here the MG-1 was routed through an EQD (EarthQuaker Devices) Organizer, EHX (Electro-Harmonix) Deluxe Memory Boy, and Boss (BOSS) RC-50, and recorded in one take without overdubs at the CAVE’s (CAVE) former Exchange St location.

Black Unicorn is the solo synthesizer project of J. Curtis Brown Jr., an artist from Akron, Ohio. Brown is a co-founder of RCN and the CAVE. He has recorded and performed in a range of projects including Baingan Bharta, Cane Swords, Dennis Franz Kafka, eucarya, Map Collection, Mousecop (𝕸𝖔𝖚𝖘𝖊𝖈𝖔𝖕 𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖑𝖉𝖜𝖎𝖉𝖊™), and more.

09/15/2026

RCN010: Karl Vorndran - Thawing (2012, Cassette)

The debut solo album from RCN co-founder Karl (Karl Vorndran). Using modular synthesis to “place emphasis on the contrast between structure and chance . . . ‘Thawing’ explodes with cathartic juxtapositions, gestural improvisation, and chance-driven rhythms and melodies that clash with structural segments and motifs.”

Karl Vorndran is an Akron-based artist and co-founder of Rubber City Noise and the CAVE (CAVE). His background in visual and performance art informs his gestural, visceral synthesizer work. He is an accomplished curator, multi-instrumentalist, and member of numerous projects including Cane Swords, Area Man, and The Options (The Options 🤘🏾🎸🎸🤘🏾).

09/10/2026

RCN009: Mike Shiflet / Joe Panzner - Recollect / Reconstruct (2012, Cassette)

“Split cassette from Columbus-based drone explorers Mike Shiflet (Mike Shiflet) and Joe Panzner, who sometimes perform together as Scenic Railroads. ‘Recollect / Reconstruct’ moves all over the Dali melting map, from lush engulfment to claustrophobic intensity, and plays out as a platting of new sonic territories.”

Mike Shiflet is a recognized guitarist and electronic musician who has traversed and transcended genres including drone, noise, and ambient since the late ‘90s. He has released numerous solo albums, collaborated with a range of artists, and ran the storied Gameboy Records.

Joe Panzner is an adept computer musician and audio engineer who works in electronic and experimental music using “synthesis, feedback, et cetera.” He has frequently collaborated with Shiflet and percussionist Greg Stuart in addition to solo work.

09/03/2026

RCN008: Andrew Weathers / Ancient Ocean - Split (2012, Cassette)

Split tape by notable guitarists Andrew Weathers (Andrew Weathers) and Ancient Ocean (John Bohannon) that moves “from finger-picked reminiscence to color-washed soundfields and amber waves of ambient.” Intricate guitar work alongside expansive drones that evoke “an amorphous temporal/spatial American landscape.” Featuring artwork and cassette design by prolific graphic designer and printmaker Charlie Wagers (Charlie Wagers).

Andrew Weathers is an established composer and artist known for a range of solo and collaborative releases and performances, running the Full Spectrum label from 2008 to 2024, and as a mixing and mastering engineer.

Ancient Ocean is an ambient project by J.R. Bohannon, a recognized guitarist and mixing and mastering engineer, who also records virtuosic guitar music under his own name and performs with a variety of musicians.

🔊 listen.rubbercitynoise.org

08/31/2026

RCN007: Zurvan - Cymatic Sacrament (2011, Cassette)

Debut tape release from deep drone practitioners Zurvan consisting of “two side-long explorations of psychedelic ambience” that seek to “unlock ancient secrets hidden in waves of sound.” Referencing the art of cymatics — where sonic vibrations are materialized through physical substances — Zurvan synesthetically approaches the method allowing the listener to mentally transmute the sonic journey.

Zurvan is the Akron-based duo of RCN co-founders J. Bryan Parks (J Bryan Parks ) and Ram Youssefi (Dolph Lundgren, Moram Phessefi).

🔊 listen.rubbercitynoise.org

08/28/2026

RCN006: Jeremy Bible - The Journey of Enoch (2011, Cassette Reissue)

Limited edition tape reissue of 2004 cult classic featuring vellum art designed & printed by Bible. Recorded between 1998 and 2000, Enoch sees a young artist taking a developed approach to “expansive timbres and drones” to create a “haunting account of the world-generative abilities of synthesis and soundscape storytelling.”

Bible is an esteemed Northeast Ohio polymath, known for extensive work in a range of multimedia. He ran Experimedia for nearly 20 years — curating a celebrated record label and multimedia events, alongside a highly successful distro that championed a variety of experimental musics, all while continuing work on his own groundbreaking multimedia art. He has been involved in an array of projects: from ambient and electro to braindance and breakcore, a renowned concrète collaboration with Jason Henry, acclaimed audiovisual endeavor Human Savagery, and a multitude more.

🔊 listen.rubbercitynoise.org

Address

Akron, OH
44301-44321, 44325, 44326, 44328, 44333, 44334, 44372, 44396, 44398

Website

http://rubbercitynoise.org/

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