Archive for the ‘Event’ Category
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I first became interested in synthesizers and electronic music in the late ’70’s through the music of Pere Ubu (US) and Cabaret Voltaire (UK). Somewhere around 79- ’80 I decided I wanted to have my own synthesizer, inspired by albums like “Dub Housing” (Pere Ubu) and “Mix Up” (Cabaret Voltaire). Especially the weird sounds created by Allen Ravenstine on Pere Ubu records motivated me to start playing synthesizer (besides guitar) . These sounds were made by a modular EML synthesizer. I couldn’t afford an EML however, so I went for the Japanese budget alternative: a semi modular Korg MS-20, which I still own and play today.
Allen Ravenstine was part of Pere Ubu until the end of the ’80s. The modular EML synthesizer remained a basic ingredient of the Pere Ubu sound up until today, played by Robert Wheeler and others. I recently stumbled upon this video of a EML synthesizer jam session by Allen Ravenstine and Robert Wheeler, apparently the first time these Pere Ubu players ever played together. The video contains some interesting interview fragments in which Allen Ravenstine explains how the EML synthesizer became part of the unique Pere Ubu sound:
Allen Ravenstine and Robert Wheeler EML synth session.
The video fragment seems to be part of an upcoming film about modular synthesizers and their players. This is the text accompanying the video:
“In late February, 2012, former Pere Ubu synthesist Allen Ravenstine and current Pere Ubu synthesist Robert Wheeler, two legendary figures of Cleveland’s punk rock scene met at Grant Avenue Studio to discuss and demonstrate the EML modular synthesizers that have been an integral part of the Pere Ubu sound for almost 40 years. The interviews are part of the upcoming film: “I Dream of Wires: The Modular Synthesizer Documentary”. I DREAM OF WIRES interview segments are sponsored by MATRIXSYNTH (matrixsynth.com/). “
Mind boggling noises: ISAM Live
Posted on: November 27, 2011
I watched Amon Tobin’s performance of his latest “ISAM” album live on the closing night of STRP 2011.
Instead of the usual boring DJ – bent – over – a – desk – and – waiving – stupidly – with – his – hands, Tobin’s DJ booth was integrated in a large 3D video wall which displayed a dazzling array of video fragments following the music:
An impressive combination of intricate sound sampling and VJ-ing. The claim on www.amontobin.com that this combination of music and video art provides “a beyond 3-D experience experience” by providing a “stunning multi-dimensional/shape shifting 3-D art installation surrounding Tobin and enveloping him and the audience” was fulfilled IMO, although there was not much (if any) interaction with the audience during the concert: it was so overpowering that you just watched it..
Altogether much more interesting than the Aphex Twin concert which followed “”ISAM Live” and seemed to meander on and on…
Strandbeesten
Posted on: November 22, 2011
- In: Art | Artifacts | Books | Event | Exhibition | Media art
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Visited STRP 2011 last Saturday evening and was quite disappointed by the expo and rather bland music concerts: uninspiring techno DJs and an expo focused on the quite humble history of Dutch media and technology art. Quite a change compared to the exiting international STRP 2010 programme. However, in the expo some video’s were shown of Theo Jansen’s Strandbeesten (“Beach beasts”) kinetic art pieces. These mixtures between Tinguely, Panamarenko, robots, plumbing and prehistoric life forms still remain fascinating and one of a kind:
Visited Theo’s Strandbeest.com web site afterwards to view some of these works in detail. And immediately bought his book “De Grote Fantast” (“The Great Pretender”) in his web shop to get more acquainted with his work.
Although I am not sure if the Strandbeesten fit the moniker “media art” (kinetic art seems more appropriate), this work still stands out in an otherwise quite bland STRP edition.
Upcoming : STRP 2011
Posted on: October 30, 2011
- In: Art | Concert | Exhibition | Media art | Software art | Sound art | Technology art
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From November 18 to 27, this year’s leading Dutch music,art and technology festival will be held again in the Klokgebouw in Eindhoven: STRP Art & Technology. And as usual, I will be attending this festival.
STRP Festival has grown into one of the largest art/music/technology festivals in Europe. In this years EXPO an overview will be shown of 50 years of Dutch media and technology art. In the weekends an international music line up is planned in which Amon Tobin, Aphex Twin and SpeedyJ’s Collabs will appear. Not to be missed!
See:
New work by Holger Hiller
Posted on: October 30, 2011
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Today I stumbled upon http://www.holgerhiller.com, the site of (you guessed it..) Holger Hiller.
I have followed Holger Hiller’s work from his days with the ground breaking “‘Neue Welle” band Palais Schaumburg in the early ’80s:
His debut solo album “Ein Bündel Fäulnis in der Grube” and especially his second album “Oben im Eck” belong to my favorite albums of all time.
They too were ground breaking, this time in the creative use of sampling to create whirling idiosyncratic songs and compositions.
In these Biography of A Song video’s some of the magic behind the “Oben im Eck” album is explained by Holger Hiller :
However, after the self entitled “”Holger Hiller” album in 2000, nothing was heard anymore of Holger Hiller. According to the bio on his site, he was “going through (a) financial and personal crisis” from 2001 to 2009 and had a long creative break.
Now he seems to be composing again, this time in a collaboration with well known German painter Albert Oehlen, another survivor from the ’80s.
See the page “Joint works with Albert Oehlen” in the News section of his site. The works consist of nine single-edition prints by Albert Oehlen, each juxtaposed and framed with a vinyl record of material specially composed by Hiller. This material is instantly recognizable as Holger Hiller “samplism” if you play the excerpts on the page. A complete recording of the 9 compositions doesn’t seem to be available online or offline. Maybe Hiller’s old record company Mute can release this new stuff, please?
See:
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