7 Hurtz

According to Charles Neal’s Tape Delay, seven hertz is the frequency that is most dangerous to human life with effects including prolapse, internal organ damage, disorientation, vomiting, nausea, and even death. Apparently, the first man to generate the sound was killed in the process. 7-Hurtz, a collaboration between UK DJs Lascelles Gordon and Ben Cowan, was inspired by this knowledge. The former was a co-founder of the UK acid jazz band Brand New Heavies, has drummed for Sandals, Beth Orton and Campag Velocet, and previously ran a club night, ‘Helter Stupid’. Cowan, meanwhile, has previously been a dancer with contemporary outfits Ricochet and Bedlam and a member of the LoWilliams Band. Sharing their mutual love of Jean Jacques Perry, John Carpenter soundtracks and electro, the duo create sparse, pulsing music that splices early 80s electro with more contemporary deep ‘n’ dark breaks. The pair’s music was deliberately conceived to circumvent the music that they had previously created. 7-Hurtz has notably collaborated with Peaches and Bitch Lap Lap, contributing a cover of Prince’s ‘Sexy Dancer’ to the compilation, If I Was Prince. The duo’s Audiophiliac and Electroleum, were released via Output, the label formed by graphic designer and producer/musician Trevor Jackson.