IOSS (Jos Smolders)

About

IOSS, the alter ego of Jos Smolders, operated within the Netherlands' experimental underground from 1960 to 1992, crafting works that blurred the lines between sonic art and auditory philosophy. Smolders' penchant for tape manipulation and field recordings is most vividly realized in pieces like "Junky On Hiss Snag" and "Yes Yes Oh Yes". These releases, primarily on Midas Tapes, reveal a process-driven approach where sound becomes a material to be sculpted into non-linear compositions and textural soundscapes. The LP "No Is E Monocle", released on Quiet Artworks in 1992, stands as a testament to IOSS's evolution. It encapsulates the fractal nature of Smolders' work, where each listening experience unveils layers previously concealed. Collaborating with enigmatic entities like THU20 and the International Musique Concrete Assembly, IOSS formed an interdisciplinary connection with kindred spirits such as De Fabriek, weaving a network of exploratory sound art across cassette culture. IOSS's catalog, residing mainly on cassette with the occasional vinyl release, reflects an era where format choice was as much a statement as the sounds themselves. Through labels like Korm Plastics and Delftsch Wormen Tapes, Smolders engaged with the liminal space between music and noise, creating a body of work that remains significant within the experimental genre.