Just Above the Trees at the Skyscraper Museum

Image of New York City skyline

The violin duo Miolina will perform my music at The Skyscraper Museum in New York City this week. They’ll perform the piece we developed together last year, A Long Line of Clouds Just Above the Trees for violin duo and live electronics. I’ll be there to help with the electronics and enjoy the view of lower Manhattan from the museum windows.

This concert is free, but you must book a timed ticket for 5pm to attend. More info at Just Above the Trees

Friday May 26, 2023 5pm
Just Above the Trees
The Skyscraper Museum
39 Battery Place
New York, NY 10280

The concert also includes music by Alvin Singleton, Paula af Malmborg Ward, Shruthi Rajasekar and Geni Skendo, along with poetry by my New College colleague John Miller

Listening as Creative Act

I’ve been invited by the Bureau for Experimental Ethnography at the University of Texas in Austin to give a talk tomorrow called “Listening as Creative Act.” I’ll be talking about my work with field recordings, improvisation, open form scores and interactivity. The event is open to the public.

Monday April 10, 2023 1pm
Listening as Creative Act
RLP 1.302B
University of Texas
Austin TX

Whirligig Instruments

digitally fabricated instruments including bullroarer, bumblers and whistles

I’ve posted details about a collection of whirligig instruments I created. The instruments use generative design techniques and can be produced with digital fabrication tools: 3D printer, laser engraver/cutter, etc. The instruments are designed to make sound when spun on the end of a string. They include bullroarers, whistles and instruments I call bumblers that use vibrating rubber bands to make buzzing sound.

You can find the .stl and .svg files to cut and print your own instruments on the pages linked above. You can also find OpenSCAD .scad files so you can customize the designs to your needs.

Gates Ensemble Remastered

During last week’s Bandcamp Friday flurry I didn’t get a chance to highlight the release of the remastered Gates Ensemble album: 16 october 03 on Burning Harpsichord Records. The album features a lovely composition by Travis Weller: reinforce one another, conditions for contraction and an untitled improvisation by the group. This release also includes a special bonus track uncovered during the remastering

Playing with the Gates Ensemble was one of the highlights of my time in Austin, Texas. The group consists of

Brent Fariss – contrabass
Jacob Green – piano and electronics
Holland Hopson – banjo and electronics
Josh Ronsen – clarinet and piano
Bill Thompson – electronics
Travis Weller – violin and electronics

We’ve gotten together once or twice in various configurations since Bill and Jacob and I left Texas. Hopefully there’ll be more Gates Ensemble performances and recordings again soon.