In April 2021 we launched our digital label 'Eastern Ears'. The purpose of the label is to release live recordings from Plink Plonk performances, to share recordings from local and emerging musicians and improvisers, and to support of those artists we have worked with through our many projects.

The series was launched with two albums, the first from Norwich based improviser, Simon Komma and the other from Plink Plonk favourites, Twinkle3:

Uncompromising and utterly committed, Simon is a unique improviser but ‘The Holographic Truth’ shows a more tender side. Combining home-recorded guitar textures and improvised lyrics and vocalisations, only two pieces are pre-composed with the rest showing the relationship between Simon’s improvisational awareness and the instant composition skills he has honed with years of improvising. Simon’s contributions to The Plank have included processed vocals, radio, prolific piano playing and more.

Twinkle3 consist of the the playful sounds of Clive Bell (shakuhachi and other woodwind), David Ross (drosscillator and percussion) and Richard Scott (electronics and analogue synthesiser). Individually, the members of this trio have worked in a wide range of contexts, including with saxophonist Evan Parker, bassist Jah Wobble and trumpeter Axel Dorner. Clive Bell is a regular contributor to The Wire, and David Ross has extensive experience as a workshop leader, as well as performing, and has led several education projects for Eastern Ear and YARMONICS.
In 2024 we added two further releases; Gathering Dust by Morris Masuda and Atalanta Fugiens I-X by Phil Archer;

First published in 1617, Atalanta Fugiens is a collection of 50 alchemical discourses, each with its own illustration, verse, and musical composition. This release is a realisation of the first 10 of these Fugues, performed using circuit-bent Yamaha home keyboards and a variety of acoustic instruments. The compositions were initially played through Yamaha Portasound keyboards, their circuits modified so that the incoming musical material is transformed as it passes through. These recordings were then augmented with layers of harmonium, guitar and banjolele to create the final pieces.

The music that emerges is new and transfigured, while staying true to the spirit and themes of the original work. Phil is a musician and artist who explores ideas around nature and technology. Blending primitivism, folk traditions and handmade electronics, he makes music and objects that respond playfully and poetically to our relationships with the natural world. Past projects have involved creating musical instruments out of skulls and antlers, making electromagnetic sonic fireflies, and pouring water onto live circuit-boards.

Captured on dusty minidiscs tucked away for two decades, this album is a collage of performances, and a glimpse into the "The Gathering" in the late 90s and early 00s. It features musicians - vocal, wind, string, electronic, percussive - from all walks of life. It shows the openness and creativity of the Gathering during this period. Morris Masuda is a musician based in Norwich. He produces abstract electronic music and plays guitar, bass and drums. Previous releases have included 'High Ash' a piece that was inspired by running around High Ash farm and used chopped up piano chords extended over 40mins to be used as a running aid and 'Mirror Haze' which featured Joe Sanger on shakuhachi and Chris Dowding on trumpet.
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