Side B

More about Side B

CASSETTE: Side B — “Rowing Up the Volga” (Ritual Mix)

Total length: ~12–14 minutes
Rule: Do not skip. Do not fast-forward. Flip the tape only once.

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B1. Leader / Threshold (1:30)
• Sound: Blank tape hiss, light motor hum, distant water.
• Action: Listener presses play and does nothing else.
• Note: This is the door. No melody yet. The room adjusts.

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B2. Oars (3:30)
• Sound:
• Low guitar on a single minor chord, struck once every 4 bars.
• Floor tom every 2 beats (work rhythm).
• Bass enters after 60 seconds, one note only.
• Voice (spoken, low):
Вверх по Волге, против воды…
• Rule: Voice is inside the mix, not above it.

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B3. Days Counted (2:30)
• Sound:
• Accordion/harmonium breath fades in and out.
• Subtle tape wow and flutter increases.
• Voice (half-sung):
Весла считают чужие дни.
Река гудит, моторы молчат…
• Concept: Labor without destination.

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B4. Chorus as Question (2:00)
• Sound:
• Drums drop out.
• Guitar holds. Bass continues.
• Voice (unison, dry):
Я не знаю зачем…
• Repetition: 4 times, unchanged.
• Rule: No emotional lift. Exposure only.

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B5. Reversal / Current Shift (2:30)
• Sound:
• Tape reversed in real time.
• Guitar becomes texture.
• Voice (spoken once, forward, very low):
I hate my job.
• Then: Immediately reversed and looped:
бой йм эта ай
йа атэ мй йоб
• Concept: Meaning turns sideways.

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B6. Drift / Fade (2:00)
• Sound:
• Everything dissolves into hiss and water.
• Motor slows slightly.
• No voice.
• End: Abrupt stop, not fade-out.

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LISTENER INSTRUCTIONS (Printed Small)
• Listen alone or in silence with others.
• Do not discuss during playback.
• Sit or stand—no movement required.
• The tape ends when it decides to.