The Complete Hala Strana
11.17.14 by Mike Haley

Maybe you’ve heard Hala Strana. Maybe you haven’t. Maybe you’ve picked up one, or two, or a handful of his releases that came out over the years between 2003 and 2010. Maybe you didn’t. It doesn’t much matter where on that spectrum you land, because you’re gonna find something for yourself in this box set of Hala Strana’s complete catalog, released by the tangibly striking Cabin Floor Esoterica.

Multi-instrumentalist Steven R. Smith recorded under the name Hala Strana, devising structurally lavish music that took cues from traditional Middle Eastern and Eastern European sounds, folk, and psych rock to name a few influences. Smith’s execution of his music as Hala Strana spills out of speakers very naturally, very nonchalant. His quivering rhythms and use of homemade instruments makes it all feel extremely personal and puts the listener at ease in the thicket of his soaring and/or humble moments. In short hand, it can be like an all hobbit Godspeed You! Black Emperor. His songs were spread across CDs, an LP, and a 7″ lathe released by labels like Soft Abuse, Jewelled Antler, and Music Fellowship. Now, Cabin Floor Esoterica, the Columbus, OH imprint who package tapes in small kraft boxes along with tidbits that add to each release’s narrative, collected all Hana Strana output for a five cassette collection. It takes a C64, C81, C44, and a couple of C42s to gather it all together. Throw in a twelve page booklet, some inserts on handmade paper, vintage European postage stamps, a risograph print, and some wood shavings and that brings us this handsome little piece of work.

The box is limited to 50 copies, and rapidly approaching extinction. Head on over to the CFE’s available releases section to pick it up for $42.50 (plus shipping outside the US) while you still can. Don’t be afraid to explore other titles as well. Stream excerpts below.