Instrumental Music
- Manu Chao Interview
- Video: Múm
- Black Dice MP3 Track, Kokomo
- DeVotchKa Live: Untraditional Folk
- Boredoms Live: 77Boadrum
- Reed Ghazala's New Instrument
- Thomas Dolby Interview
- New Streaming Cylob Single
- Last day of NYC Bent Festival
- Streaming MP3 track from The Field
Posted by
Michael Buell Jr
Pitchfork has an interview with Manu Chao. He talks about his album due in September, La Radiolina, his US tour, and his view of US and world politics.
Manu Chao, one of the biggest music stars in the world, though far less known in the US, just finished a US tour for his new album, La Radiolina. Pitchfork got a hold of him for an interview where he talks about his tour, his new album, and his view of the world. He also touches on the process of making music, the how and the why of choosing a language for a song. Not always easy for someone who speaks several languages, including English, French, Spanish, Portugese, and Arabic. Fortunately for most readers, the interview is in English.
Manu Chao is one of the most talented and interesting performers anywhere in the world today. He doesn't often make it to the US, so hopefully you got to see him. La Radiolina was released in the spring in Europe to much acclaim. It will be released September 4th in the US. The official Manu Chao website has the latest information somewhere in its bewildering array of languages and colorful design.
Manu Chao is one of the most talented and interesting performers anywhere in the world today. He doesn't often make it to the US, so hopefully you got to see him. La Radiolina was released in the spring in Europe to much acclaim. It will be released September 4th in the US. The official Manu Chao website has the latest information somewhere in its bewildering array of languages and colorful design.
Posted by
Michael Buell Jr
Experimental Icelanders Múm have released a video for the song "They Made Frogs Smoke 'Til They Exploded" from their soon to be released "Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy."
Following the release of the track Dancing Behind My Eyelids, Múm has created a video for They Made Frogs Smoke 'Til They Exploded, another song on their forthcoming album, Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy. Pitchfork thankfully provides the video and more info on the upcoming album.
The video is hand-drawn and possibly computer animated by Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir, who looks like he also did the album cover artwork. The song itself is reminiscent of a lighter version of songs from the group's first, mostly instrumental album, Yesterday Was Dramatic, Today Is OK. The music is recognizably Múm, but exploring a different, cheerier soundscape. This is also the first album in three years (since 2004's underwhelming Summer Make Good ) as well as the first music since founding member Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir left the group.
Múm's debut album, Yesterday Was Dramatic... is a personal favorite of mine. The apparent direction of the new album is an interesting take on the group's usual blend of live instruments and synth soundscapes. I look forward to hearing the full album.
The video is hand-drawn and possibly computer animated by Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir, who looks like he also did the album cover artwork. The song itself is reminiscent of a lighter version of songs from the group's first, mostly instrumental album, Yesterday Was Dramatic, Today Is OK. The music is recognizably Múm, but exploring a different, cheerier soundscape. This is also the first album in three years (since 2004's underwhelming Summer Make Good ) as well as the first music since founding member Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir left the group.
Múm's debut album, Yesterday Was Dramatic... is a personal favorite of mine. The apparent direction of the new album is an interesting take on the group's usual blend of live instruments and synth soundscapes. I look forward to hearing the full album.
Posted by
Michael Buell Jr
Pitchfork offers a streaming preview of Black Dice's latest track, "Kokomo" from "Load Blown," to be released in October on Paw Tracks.
Pitchfork's Forkcast is offering a new Black Dice track, Kokomo, to stream or download as an mp3. It has nothing to do with the Beach Boys song of the same name, but does offer a throbbing, almost-danceable beat and more sonic experimentation in the signature Black Dice style.
Kokomo is the first we've heard of the new album Load Blown, which will be released in October (10/23/07) on Animal Collective's label Paw Tracks, which also released Black Dice's 10th Anniversary 12", Roll Up.
Kokomo is the first we've heard of the new album Load Blown, which will be released in October (10/23/07) on Animal Collective's label Paw Tracks, which also released Black Dice's 10th Anniversary 12", Roll Up.
DeVotchKa Live: Untraditional Folk
Posted by
Michael Buell Jr
Live footage of DeVotchKa at Spiegeltent in Manhattan. Nick Urata amazes with a theremin solo.
DeVotchKa is a Colorado-based band combining traditional folk influences from South America, Greece, Eastern Europe and most places in between with punk and rock sounds. Traditional instruments such as the bouzouki play alongside a singer who plays electric guitar when he's not waving his hand in the air to manipulate a theremin. The band has received more attention since providing the soundtrack for Little Miss Sunshine last year.
Create Digital Music points to this live video from Spiegeltent in Manhattan two weeks ago. It features an impressive theremin solo from singer/guitarist/trumpeter/etc. Nick Urata. DeVotchKa's website bio says the theremin is homemade, though this may be a different one. CDM's Peter Kirn wryly points to this video as evidence the theremin can be used for something other than the original Star Trek theme. It has apparently gained popularity outside of fans of old sci-fi. The interesting thing is that the combination of traditional and modern sounds works. Not only that, it sounds quite good.
DeVotchKa are currently touring Europe and the UK to promote the European release of their most recent album, the much-praised How it Ends.
Create Digital Music points to this live video from Spiegeltent in Manhattan two weeks ago. It features an impressive theremin solo from singer/guitarist/trumpeter/etc. Nick Urata. DeVotchKa's website bio says the theremin is homemade, though this may be a different one. CDM's Peter Kirn wryly points to this video as evidence the theremin can be used for something other than the original Star Trek theme. It has apparently gained popularity outside of fans of old sci-fi. The interesting thing is that the combination of traditional and modern sounds works. Not only that, it sounds quite good.
DeVotchKa are currently touring Europe and the UK to promote the European release of their most recent album, the much-praised How it Ends.
Posted by
Michael Buell Jr
Coverage of The Boredoms' live event, 77BOADRUM, held in New York City on 7/7/07. The New York Times ran an article. Pitchfork has photos and streaming videos.
Japanese avant-noise rockers The Boredoms held their long-heralded event, 77BOADRUM, in New York City's Brooklyn Bridge Park last Saturday, 7/7/07. The event was a 77 member drum circle with Brian Chippendale of Lightning Bolt and Andy McLeod of Modest Mouse and Howling Hex among the many guests. Pitchfork has the full list of drummers, photos, full coverage with more photos and videos from the event.
It's also interesting to note that the event was covered in a New York Times article (free registration required), though it doesn't add much aside from a different perspective. All reports seem to agree that it was certainly an event not to be missed, though no one was exactly clear on what exactly was happening. A DVD of the event is being produced, though there is no release date at the moment.
Related links:
Lightning Bolt Photos on Pitchfork
It's also interesting to note that the event was covered in a New York Times article (free registration required), though it doesn't add much aside from a different perspective. All reports seem to agree that it was certainly an event not to be missed, though no one was exactly clear on what exactly was happening. A DVD of the event is being produced, though there is no release date at the moment.
Related links:
Lightning Bolt Photos on Pitchfork
Posted by
Michael Buell Jr
Pictures and info on a new instrument from circuit bending creator and pioneer, Reed Ghazala. The "Fractal Oscillator" features a magnetic patch bay for signal routing.
Reed Ghazala, father of modern circuit bending, has created a new instrument called the Fractal Oscillator. It is a modified Yamaha PSS-6, a popular keyboard for circuit bending because of it's low price and simple circuitry. The main modification is a magnetic patch bay mounted on the back of the keyboard. There are no sound samples as of yet, but Ghazala has a Flicker set of the Fractal Oscillator with descriptions. Thanks to Create Digital Music for the original post.
The Fractal Oscillator is the first such instrument to have magnetic patching built in, though Ghazala mentions that he used magnets to hold wires in place as far back as his first instrument, the Odor Box. He also notes an interesting option that magnetic patching opens up: the possibility of routing more than one signal to the same location, something that can't be done with jack connections.
Ghazala is filing a patent for the magnetic patching, but encourages benders to experiment with the technique. He plans to put up sound samples of the new instrument on his website soon.
Other circuit bending links:
Introduction to Circuit Bending
Bent Festival 2007 Coverage: Intro - NYC
The Fractal Oscillator is the first such instrument to have magnetic patching built in, though Ghazala mentions that he used magnets to hold wires in place as far back as his first instrument, the Odor Box. He also notes an interesting option that magnetic patching opens up: the possibility of routing more than one signal to the same location, something that can't be done with jack connections.
Ghazala is filing a patent for the magnetic patching, but encourages benders to experiment with the technique. He plans to put up sound samples of the new instrument on his website soon.
Other circuit bending links:
Introduction to Circuit Bending
Bent Festival 2007 Coverage: Intro - NYC
Posted by
Michael Buell Jr
Two interviews with Thomas Dolby on Create Digital Music. One covers his music old and new. The second goes into technical details of his music creation and live gear.
Thomas Dolby is a pioneering musician and inventor, most famous for his 1982 hit single, "She Blinded Me With Science." An accomplished synth player and programmer, he has worked and played with artists from Def Leppard and Foreigner to David Bowie and Herbie Hancock.
In the first part of the Create Digital Music interview, he discusses his work from the '80s to the present and the future, electronic music and electronics in pop music, and his own musical influences. The second part delves into technical details of his live performance where he plays all parts of songs using a Mac laptop and custom software. He also has a VJ mixing live footage from various cameras, including a head-mounted one, so the audience can watch as he constructs songs.
Dolby maintains his own blog, mostly about his touring and new albums, on his website. His latest EP, "Live at SXSW," comes out next week and is a live set of Dolby and a brass section, the Jazz Mafia horns. His last released work was the DVD, "Live in Chicago," from a performance in May 2006.
In the first part of the Create Digital Music interview, he discusses his work from the '80s to the present and the future, electronic music and electronics in pop music, and his own musical influences. The second part delves into technical details of his live performance where he plays all parts of songs using a Mac laptop and custom software. He also has a VJ mixing live footage from various cameras, including a head-mounted one, so the audience can watch as he constructs songs.
Dolby maintains his own blog, mostly about his touring and new albums, on his website. His latest EP, "Live at SXSW," comes out next week and is a live set of Dolby and a brass section, the Jazz Mafia horns. His last released work was the DVD, "Live in Chicago," from a performance in May 2006.
Posted by
Michael Buell Jr
Free streaming tracks from the new Cylob single, "Rock the Trojan Fader."
To promote his upcoming album "Trojan Fader Style" Cylob has whipped up this nifty little web gadget that has streams for all the songs from his new single, "Rock the Trojan Fader," released today, July 9. It is the first release from Cylob Industries, the "digital label dedicated to releasing the electronic music of Cylob."
"Trojan Fader Style" will be released a week from today, on July 16. Information on the Cylob Industries homepage says it is one track that runs 58 minutes and 46 seconds. Interesting. Preview clips are also included below.
Also note that this Flash gadget is part of a promotion. If you post this widget on your blog, up to the new Album's release on July 16, Cylob will email you a free track. More details are on Cylob's blog.
Cylob Industries lists two more albums and a single coming out in the next few months.
For more Cylob info, tour dates, album releases, etc. check his artist homepage or his blog.
"Trojan Fader Style" will be released a week from today, on July 16. Information on the Cylob Industries homepage says it is one track that runs 58 minutes and 46 seconds. Interesting. Preview clips are also included below.
Also note that this Flash gadget is part of a promotion. If you post this widget on your blog, up to the new Album's release on July 16, Cylob will email you a free track. More details are on Cylob's blog.
Cylob Industries lists two more albums and a single coming out in the next few months.
For more Cylob info, tour dates, album releases, etc. check his artist homepage or his blog.
Posted by
Michael Buell Jr
Continued coverage of the Bent Festival, a circuit bending event that took place over the last three weekends in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and now New York City
The doors open at 7:30 tonight for the last night of the Bent Festival, the mega-circuit bending event. This is the final night not only for New York City, but for the nationwide festival. Los Angeles and Minneapolis also held events this year. The concert will be held at:
Eyebeam Atelier 540 W. 21st Street, (between 10th and 11th Avenues), NY, NY
Artist lineup - Saturday April 28
Mario de Vega
Die Fuchteln
Mr. Resistor
Loud Objects
Andreas Stoiber
Carlos Antenna
Dr. Rek
Burnkit2600
Alias Pail
Links:
Bent Festival - NYC site
Introduction to Circuit Bending
Eyebeam Atelier 540 W. 21st Street, (between 10th and 11th Avenues), NY, NY
Artist lineup - Saturday April 28
Mario de Vega
Die Fuchteln
Mr. Resistor
Loud Objects
Andreas Stoiber
Carlos Antenna
Dr. Rek
Burnkit2600
Alias Pail
Links:
Bent Festival - NYC site
Introduction to Circuit Bending
Streaming MP3 track from The Field
Posted by
Michael Buell Jr
Pitchfork has a streaming download of "Silent," a track from The Field's new album, "From Here We Go Sublime."
Pitchfork is in love with German label Kompakt and seems to be doing everything they can to promote it. But, since most of the music, especially The Field, is actually pretty good, I suppose there's nothing wrong with that.
Currently, they are offering "Silent" for streaming listening pleasure off of The Field's latest album, From Here We Go Sublime. For those not familiar with The Field, Kompakt, or the minimal techno scene, for shame. All of your bearded hipster friends are going to laugh at you. I wrote another post about an interview with The Field over on Pitchfork a few weeks ago, which is a good introduction.
The Field is something like Ricardo Villalobos meets Múm. The beat is usually a endless loop of 4/4 thumping. There are no IDM-style drum acrobatics. But microsamples of instruments and voices create dreamy, borderline-ambient soundscapes.
Intelligent Dance Music would be an appropriate acronym if it weren't already appropriated. You can picture people dancing to it. The people you picture may be Scandinavians who need to get out more, but they're dancing nonetheless. But you can also appreciate it as an interesting piece of music to listen to.
Currently, they are offering "Silent" for streaming listening pleasure off of The Field's latest album, From Here We Go Sublime. For those not familiar with The Field, Kompakt, or the minimal techno scene, for shame. All of your bearded hipster friends are going to laugh at you. I wrote another post about an interview with The Field over on Pitchfork a few weeks ago, which is a good introduction.
The Field is something like Ricardo Villalobos meets Múm. The beat is usually a endless loop of 4/4 thumping. There are no IDM-style drum acrobatics. But microsamples of instruments and voices create dreamy, borderline-ambient soundscapes.
Intelligent Dance Music would be an appropriate acronym if it weren't already appropriated. You can picture people dancing to it. The people you picture may be Scandinavians who need to get out more, but they're dancing nonetheless. But you can also appreciate it as an interesting piece of music to listen to.