Sound artist, media artist and composer for both humans and computers. So much banjo, too
My text score River Rocks is featured as Day 354 of 365 in the A Year of Deep Listening project presented by the Center for Deep Listening.
The project previously featured my piece From the Middle of a Clearing.
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
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.
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.
Petal Motel has released Compassion, a Bandcamp-exclusive digital compilation benefiting the National Network of Abortion Funds. The collection features Cosmic Americana by over 30 artists ranging from fingerpicked folk and ambient soundscapes to pedal steel-driven dreams and rock stompers.
My tune “Red at the Edges” is included. It’s a companion to the work on my album Tell A Gossip.