Here are some photos and a bit of information about my installation at the Arnolfini, Bristol UK. The piece is called "Music for Passports"
In most repsects, this is a very simple piece. I took the Arnolfini gig to be an opportunity to expand a piece originally exhibited in the Dartington Gallery in May 2006.
In the original incarnation, Music for Passports played on one set of speakers, sitting in a corner of a room. At the Arnolfini, I was able to fill the space with the sound. Multiple channels were created in a number of ways, from using boomboxes set to repeat, to using portable CD players plugged into my acoustic guitar amp, to using my laptop in combination with a couple of Genelec monitors.
For Music for Passports, the sound materials were generated from the identification number in a friend’s passport. The pitches are tuned in just intonation (think Harry Partch).
The listener hears a single low drone tone, combined with 15 independently timed pitches of various lengths (3 to 25 seconds). Each pitch occurs in its own fixed repeating pattern. The piece is generative. The pitches are timed independently from the others, creating randomly occurring rhythmic and harmonic combinations. A listener will perceive the piece as harmonious and non-repeating.
Basically, this piece was meant to be sonic wall paper. I recorded the pitches with the guitar and edited the sounds (pitch shifting, cutting off the attack and decay etc).
Other than the obvious link between passports and boundaries, the title is a nod to a particular work of a certain Mr. Eno, and a riff on Mieko Shiomi’s Fluxus score Boundary Music (available in the Fluxus Workbook).
Here are some photos of a test run at my flat. It's a lot less impressive space, but you get the gist. It's sort of like band practice for an installation.
Jeez, it's busy around here! Just the way I like it. Brian Dewan's first Humanitarium installment, subtitled Words of Wisdom, hit the Eschatone office late last week and blew everybody away. It's funny and sad and rich and deep. An all-time great record.
Eschatone has taken on its first employee (no offense to EschaTony, World's Greatest Intern)! Everybody say hi to Katie, the label's new... actually, I have no idea what her title is. Katie used to run fancy-pants restaurants; now she's gonna run the office. I doubt her business card says RUNS THE OFFICE. Somebody let me know what it does say!
Work proceeds on The Congregation Of Vapors' Skyscape album—it's tough and slow going but the results sound amazing. Dom and I are already talking about our third TCOV collaboration, which we hope to record live next summer with three very special bandmates. This could be the Traveling Wilburys of indie rock (uh, Dom and I would collectively be Jeff Lynne).
And the Rebellion? Just warming up. We're so psyched about the "You Are Boring The Shit Out Of Me" video but that's really only a shot across the bow. There will be more videos, including "Pop" later this summer (directed by Peter Berdovsky - you know him as one of the two gents behind Boston's Aqua Teen Hunger Force hysteria... we know him as an incredible video artist and conceptualist) and some other surprises. In the meantime, Emily and crew did an unbelievable job on "Boring" and we can't thank them enough. I've been told that 4,000 YouTube views in a week is pretty good (we only made the video public last Friday), especially without any facetime on the front page.
The Rebellion slowly returns to active gigging duty as well. We have some announcements on the way but we don't want to spoil our rebellion is here album release party in NYC on July 10. You're gonna be there, right?
I will also be returning to the stage in a semi-solo capacity, leading a small semiacoustic version of The Congregation Of Vapors in venues that have pianos. Yes, we will be playing deep cuts. Think of my Mother Earth's shows, but with a live rhythm section - obscure tunes, new tunes, weird covers, guest singers... controlled chaos. More news on this to come.
Also, I love my job. I should probably let this be known, because in the "Boring" video I play someone who hates his job. The song is about a specific kind of person; not about a job - the video runs with the concept in an Office Space-like environment. In real life, I like my job so much, I have been petitioning for more of the work. It blows my mind that this time last year, I was sliding into a downward work-related health spiral that would leave me bedridden for three months, ultimately coming this close to death. Since then I've learned to operate at such an efficient level that I can't even imagine as much happening again in spite of a workload that has literally tripled. I'm starting to understand how Arty does it.
Yo slutz.
This weekend is indeed momentous. We're positively beside ourselves; what with the video, the benefit in Hastings and all the buzz you guys are helping to generate on-line and in print.
Here at Rebellion HQ we've decided to let you know just how geared up we are.
Firstly, we're pretty fucking geared up.
Secondly, we want to gear you up with a personal invite to our show at the River Roadhouse in Hastings-On-Hudson, NY on saturday. It's a benefit for Safe Haven, a group that works with kids in New Orleans who have emotional and developmental disabilities.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "Since when did the Rebellion want to help people?" Well, other than helping you rock, we aren't all that interested.
But the President of the company's easy on the eyes if you catch my meaning.
And by meaning I mean sexual innuendo.
Like we want to bed her.
Thirdly, we are going to preface the gig with a little BBQ action as a special thanks to all you bastards for helping spread the gospel of the rebellion. Just email mike@hanslickrebellion.com for more info.
This communique is over fuckers. Let us know if you want your burgers done well or awesome.
CRITTERS HOW DO?FRIDAY the 13th of APRIL was a very memorable evening.Not only did i get to see ROKY ERICKSON perform but also got to meet the man and get his autograph.I also gave him a copy of our album.He started to sign that also but i said ROKY it's a gift and we do one of yer songs.HE looked at me and smiled.I don't think he spoke a word at all that night.Next MAY the 4th at MAGNETIC FIELD for the STAR SPANGLES and the BAMBOO KIDS.I arrived late and unfortunately missed the SPANGLES.THEy were having a goodtime when i arrived so i figure they had a good gig.The blonde chick at the door said they were good so i took her word for it.The BAMBOO KIDS were next and added a second guitar player.It's the infamous DEAN RISPLER i hear so much about.THE kids were great.GREAT songs ,stage presence, joking between songs.They had vinyl for sale so CHRIS the drummer hooked me up 2 fer 1 .The next week they are headed to EUROPE for some gigs.NEXT the much anticipated MR. BEERY'S CINCO de MAYO show.The LORD HUMONGOUS,the VISITORS,and JOHN WILKES BOOTH.MR. BEERY'S is the best place to play on LONG ISLAND.DOMN AND DIRTY ROCK n ROLL JOINT.The only way to be.It's been called the CBGB of L.I.First up the LORD.MATT the singer was in the REPERCUSSIONS this is his new band.REminded me of a rockin gritty pink floyd mix.SPACEY rock in roll.THE place is starting to fill up.Show kicked off about 10ish.Up next the VISITORS.We havent played the island much 3,4 times.This is my home town.JONES CRUSHER my old band is well known and this is me new band so i wanna knockem'dead.ALOT OF FAMILIAR FACES startbpopping up.We start setting up.The MERKLE man helps with me gear.DIRTY HARRY from J.W.B. lent BRIAN his amp.My cousin THERESA SAYS hi. I didn't recognize her at first.HEAVY.TOM at the bar gives us free tap or dollar bottles.BEERY'S rules.I see my brother tom ,peggy and oh shit my dad.HOLY shit.O.K. lets do it! BRAD and BRIAN playbtheir asses off,as usual.GREAT show.DID BRIANS brand new one.BIG AL brought us up some TEQUILA.HOW FITTING.WE did the WHO .BRADLEY made an announcement about the land of the HELTZES.The joint was a jumpin'.jumpin'.Pretty much no one there has ever seen us before.We've done well.Sold a bunch of disc's.Next up J.W.B.I really dig this band.HEAVY TIGHT DIRTY ROCKIN' ROLL.The MERKLE man SINGING and POPPING veins i thought his head was gonna explode.JAY on guitar and BROWN pants.GREAT player.CHRIS the BLOODGEOUNER on drumms.ALLWAYS smilling.AND last but not least.HARRY.THE DIRTIEST BASS AROUND.LOW end thumppin'.GREAT night had by all.WE all made new fans that night.BRAD,BRIAN and SARAH kept pushing off going to the train.Didn't want the fun to end i guess.They finaly did go and cut it close.I didn't know if they made it till a few days later.They did.Next MITRO'S BBQ B-DAY BASH at MAGNETIC FIELD with the VISITORS and MIGHTY FINE.NO better way to spend a sunday afternoon.MITRO made some beer can chickens.INCREDIBLE.MAGNETIC FIELD great staff and music.SUNDAY BBQ'S.RICHIE from MIGHTY FINE let me use his vintage SLINGERLAND set.SOUNDED badass.WE play, great fun. next MIGHTY FINE.I SUGGEST you treat yourself and check this band out.ROCKIN soulful righteous musica.We eat ,we play ,we dance and laugh and smile.GOOD DAY.And finally CHANDLER'S BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA.It's at DON PEDRO'S the loudest little club on earth.It's next to CRYPT RECORDS.First off i worked a 10 hour day bustin me ass doin construction on L.I. and the gig is in BROOKLYN.O.K. big deal.I find out at 6:30 that we're going on first at 8.It's 6:30 and i'm about to eat.No way am i gonna be ther by 8 and who is gonna be there at 8?SHIT.FUCK.SHIT it's hot.I'm fucking tired.I ask BRI why are we going on first? Because we're his friends.SHIT.I wasn't feelin'it at this point.I head in get their 'bout 9ish.Say hi to CHANDLER,MITRO i'm in a bit of a daze.See brad no BRIAN.LATER the BETTER.PLACE is fillin up.The D.J.(from CRYPT RECORDS)must be deaf it is so GODDAMN loud.WE can't talk on stage.I set up JOHN'S vintage LUDWIG'S and BRI show's up and asks me if i'm ready to kick some ass. I said that's why i'm here.Man is it loud and hot.CHANDLER is M.C.ing the bands and commented we wer'nt happy bout going on first.Wich was true but turned out it was the best slot to go on.Let's DO IT.WE PLAYED our ASSES OFF.I couldn't believe i made it through the set.We played to a lot of new faces and they dug it.After us was the SPIDER BAGS a southern jammie type band.THEN CHANDLER and the CHASER'S.CHANDLER on VOCALS ,MITRO on GUITAR,TOM DASH on DRUMS ,and a female BASS player whom i don't know.REALLY GOOD BAND.SOULFULL 60's GARAGEY ROCK QUARTET.HAD a few beer's going down to easy had to cut myself off and go to bed and get up at4;15 for work.A lesser man wouldn't have made it in.I got through the day.That night back to the same neighborhood for a surprise B-DAY party for JAMES.I MET BRAD and SARAH by the trash bar .I bought 2 books off a street peddler for cheap.A kerouak book and WHITE RABBIT a book of short stories about drug experiences by different writers.It's finaly MEMORIAL DAY weekend and i survived the gig.Making it through and playing my best is allthat matters.VISITORS FIRST work is second.HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
CART
