Submitted by Damien Olsen via our Facebook page.
“Even WonJai has inspiration issues once in a while.”
Synthesizers
Pitta of the Mind, Red Thread, and Pet the Tiger at Turquoise Yantra Grotto
Today we look at back at the show “Noisy with a Chance of TEXT” that took place at the Turquoise Yantra Grotto in San Francisco earlier this month. The program of experimental music with textual elements intended to “break the ultimate taboo in noise: meaning” and featured performances by Pitta of the Mind (my duo with Maw Shein Win), Red Thread (CJ Borosque and Laurie Amat), and Pet the Tiger (David Samas and Peter Bonos). A secondary theme of the night was cats – with abundant animal print in the setting and attire of the participants.
The concert opened with an introductory set by Pet the Tiger, combining David Samas’ vocals and custom musical instruments with instrumental performance by Peter Bonos.
Their performance combined a wide variety of sounds into a short period of time, with experimental voice, instrumentation and electronics. It set the tone for the evening of sometimes complex music but also warm and inviting at the same time.
Next up was Red Thread, a duo of CJ Borosque and Laurie Amat.
The set started (and ended) with extended-technique trumpet and voice, but in between it was a very sparse and captivating presentation of CJ Borosque’s poetry. Throughout, there was a counterpoint between the straight recitation of the text and Laurie Amat’s virtuosic vocal techniques.
Then it was time for Pitta of the Mind to take the stage.
We took the animal-print theme quite seriously with our costumes, and Maw Shein Win read a selection of animal-themed poems while I performed music on a variety of iPad synthesizer apps. You can see our full performance in this video:
Pitta of the Mind at the Turquoise Yanta Grotto, April 5, 2013 from CatSynth on Vimeo.
I particularly liked how well timed and structured the performance turned out, including the “cat piano” interludes. It was also great to see how much the audience got into the theme, meowing back at us. Afterwards, I was joined on stage by David Samas in an impromptu duo where he combined his extended vocal techniques with my improvisation on an analog modular synthesizer. It’s amazing how much Samas was able to “sound like a synth” with his voice. Again, you can see the full performance in the video below:
Amar Chaudhary and David Samas at Turquoise Yantra Grotto, April 5, 2013 from CatSynth on Vimeo.
Overall, this was one of the most fun experimental-music shows I have participated in for a while. Not only was it strong musically, but we had a large and appreciative audience that packed the intimate space of the Turquoise Yantra Grotto. I certainly hope for more shows like this in the near future.
The Use and Mountain Vs. Building, Luggage Store Gallery
The Outsound new-music programs at the Luggage Store Gallery often try to pair groups that complement one another geographically and musically. This was the case in late March with a program featuring The Use and Mountain Vs. Building.
The performance opened with Mountain Vs Building, a group featuring Sheila Bosco on drums and keyboard, Michael Lowe-Grandi on guitar, Brian Lucas on bass, and Mark Pino on drums. Given the instrumental lineup, there were two drum sets going at the same time during many parts of the set, including at the start.
With so much opportunity for rhythmic foundation, it wasn’t surprising that their music included strong and sometimes funky riffs overlaid with guitar and keyboard effects. The two drum sets worked well without being overwhelming. There were more freeform pieces as well that focused and timbral and noise effects via synths and effects boxes; and the final piece featuring vocals was fun. Overall, it was a strong set technically and musically. The visual effect of the lighting was a nice touch as well.
The second set featured The Use, the latest solo project by Michael Durek who was visiting from the New York area as part of a west-coast tour. I have seen many of his performances before with PAS Musique and the SK Orchestra, but his new project takes things to another level musically and technically. The electronic elements, a combination of Ableton Live and theremin, were more idiomatic, combining dark melodies, harmonies and rhythms. And it was as much a visual performance, with dance movements in time to the music. You can get a good sense of the overall performance in this video.
Outsound Presents: The Use (Michael Durek) at the Luggage Store Gallery from CatSynth; on Vimeo.
As a bonus, I had the opportunity to perform a duet with The Use to close out the evening. You can see our impromptu jam in this video:
The Use with Amar Chaudhary at Luggage Store Gallery from Michael Durek on Vimeo.
I am glad that The Use had the opportunity to perform at our Thursday-night Outsound music series. Indeed both bands performed well that evening to an appreciative audience. And I am happy to see more experimental music groups confidently incorporating popular idioms into their music.
CatSynth pic: Moog Little Phatty
Submitted by Christy Purrrlington (@Puffystudiocat) via Twitter.
“I find you trigger the best arpegiators if you spread out on the keys.”
CatSynth pic: Dexter and Doepfer modular case
Submitted by Chris Carter via Twitter.
“My Doepfer ‘as new’ modular flight case for sale ( Dexter not included)”
CatSynth video: Serge modular * Dubstep
From TQDOQ on YouTube, via matrxsynth. See if you can spot the cat.
This is the way we do it in Japan. Dubstep music using TRAKTOR and a
vintage design Serge Modular synthesizer.
Syncing is accomplished over Wi-Fi MIDI clock, with TRAKTOR as the
master and Ableton Live as slave. Latency is compensated “on the
fudge”.This set up is being ported to local clubs in Tokyo, where the DJ
lives. The cat “nyamu” lives in a tower, inside the studio…
CatSynth pic: Rhodes and Prophet 600
Submitted by Ian Miles Becker via Twitter. Two classic instruments, Rhodes 73 electric piano and Prophet 600 synth.
You can always follow us on Twitter @catsynth and share your own cat-and-music pics with us there.
Latest Podcast: World of Wonder with DJ CatSynth
Better late than never, my most recent podcast is now available! The show originally aired on San Francisco Community Radio (KUSF in Exile) on March 28.
This episode features a special intro track composed by Michael Durek of The Use specifically for the show, as well as an exclusive preview of his new album. The intro track fits so well I will probably use it for upcoming shows, too. Full playlist is below.
10:04AM-10:11AM (6:22) The Use “Where Ya Been So Long” from Where Ya Been So Long (Single, 2013)
10:11AM-10:15AM (4:18) The Use “Jersey Ripe” from Jersey Ripe (Single, 2013)
10:15AM-10:20AM (5:39) The Use “Aunt Joanne’s Metaphysics March” from Aunt Joanne’s Metaphysics March (Single, 2013)
10:21AM-10:34AM (13:09) Dewanatron “Night Town” from Irregular Hours, Vol. 1 (2006) on Obedience School Music
10:34AM-10:47AM (12:40) EKG “5” from Object 2 (2003)
10:47AM-10:59AM (11:36) Krzysztof Penderecki, Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra & Wanda Wilkomirska “Capriccio for violin & orchestra” from Matrix 5 – Penderecki: Anaklasis, Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima (Classical, 1994) on EMI Classics
11:00AM-11:04AM (4:27) The Use “Time Burton” from Time Burton (Single, 2013)
11:04AM-11:09AM (5:10) The Use with Rachel Mason “Bird Song” from Bird Song (Single, 2013)
11:09AM-11:19AM (9:50) Rent Romus “Quest for Reality, Pt. 2” from PKD Vortex Project (Jazz, 2001) on Edgetone Records (USA)
11:20AM-11:32AM (12:59) Markus Hauke & Mainz Percussion Ensemble “Credo In Us” from John Cage – Music for Percussion Quartet (MP3, Album, Classical, 1998) on Digitalpressure/Col Legno Musikproduktion (Germany)
11:32AM-11:37AM (4:02) Xinlisupreme “I.T.D.O.O.M.” from Murder License (Rock, 2002) on FatCat Records (USA)
11:37AM-11:49AM (12:58) Vinny Golia Sextet “Btso (Big Time Secret Organization)” from Abstractions And Retrocausalities (CD, Album, Jazz, 2011) on Nine Winds (USA)
11:49AM-11:59AM (9:17) E.A.R. “Spacestation” from Phenomena 256 (Rock, 1996) on Sympathy For The Record Industry
CatSynth pic: Meow Mix
Submitted by Morgan Pittman via Facebook. Many readers know Morgan (“Mo”) as the editor of The Cat Blogosphere and faithful caretaker of many cats.
CatSynth pic: Mandarina and modules
From Travis Johns via the CatSynth Facebook page.
Mandarina “assisting” with some modules – March is the hottest month in Costa Rica and my studio is on the second floor of a building with a metal roof so daytime temperatures render it unusable – so I’ve been bringing work home with me in order to work at night when the temp’s a little more bearable. Unfortunately, there’s usually a certain orange snag to that plan. The modules themselves are from a class I’m teaching called TicoTronics – teaching basic electronics and circuit design via open source synth schematics, modified to use only components common to Costa Rica. For more info – www.vauxflores.com