False Reactions_

I’ve recently started to delve into Audiomulch as an alternative processing and sound generation environment. While I’ve still got a lot to learn, the program has thus far proven itself to be both deep and incredibly flexible; it’s actually rather refreshing to break away from Ableton’s familiar confines for once. I’ve found that working with Audiomulch allows for a certain sense of spontaneity, reminding me of futzing about with guitar pedals and patch cables in my parents’ basement when I first started mangling my guitar’s output. I don’t think it will ever be able to truly become my primary DAW, but Audiomulch is definitely an easy way to wile away a couple hours patching, processing and building up textures for later use.

Here’s a quick audio capture of some granular sample manipulations I was playing about with last night (as pictured above):

09.01.2010: Audiomulch Capture by radere

Photo by Amanda Hernandez.

I’ve been toying around with a simple drone composition this week dedicated to softened edges and blurred shapes, and it sent me rummaging through my hard drive to track down the above photo by Ms. Hernandez. I’ve always loved this image. It captures the same sense of abstraction that draws me to the work of painters like Jules Olitski and Mark Rothko, but, being in essence little more than a macro close-up of an empty light box in a parking garage, it’s a more visceral analog to their deeply conceptual color field aesthetics.

Similarly, the components of this new piece are simplistic at best - a short guitar loop is stretched, layered and run through a bit of delay, while a lengthy recording of ocean surf is draped atop the mix - but it’s peaceful, engaging and, as the title suggests, rather lulling; perfect for decompression purposes. As a “track,” this could literally go on indefinitely, but I rendered out just a few minutes for previewing purposes. Enjoy:

UPDATE: I’ve removed the original demo of this track from my SoundCloud, as it has been reworked and set for release on a compilation in 2011. Details will be announced soon.

For those in the Philadelphia area, I’m going to be performing this Thursday at the opening reception for Synesthesia.2, a group exhibition featuring new and recent work by Chris Kline (Space 1026), John Schenk (Rizumu), Jayasihnji Jhala et al, Michelle Marcuse, Henry Bermudez (Projects Gallery), Lu Szumskyj, Paul Santoleri, Josh Smith, Julie Hoxie, Paul Osorio, Rhett Grumbkow, Bonnie Brenda Scott (Space 1026), Jason Hsu (Space 1026), Thomas Ross Miller and Rafael Rosario. The event is being hosted at SINErgy Project Space & Gallery, which - for my money - stands as one of the finest new venues in Philly.

We’re starting things up at 5:00pm, and I’ve got a mess of records and new material to share. Details are listed on the flier. Come out!

Detail of We Breathe. So, We Breathe, a site-specific intallation by Bonnie Brenda Scott. Currently on display at SINErgy Project Space & Gallery.

Last night marked the opening reception for the Synesthesia.2 group show, and - in a fashion totally unfamiliar to me - I actually remembered to hit record. As a result, I now have a 90+ minute slab of ambient guitar loops, field recordings and processed textures to share this morning. Enjoy:

Live at SINErgy Project Space & Gallery: 10.14.2010 by radere

It’s been in the works for a good while now, but I’m pleased to finally announce a special edition of the ongoing Polymer event series featuring Kranky recording artist Benoît Pioulard.

The show will be taking place in the main gallery at SINErgy Project Space, surrounded by the Synesthesia.2 group show, which I’ve been prattling on about so much here lately. Bottom line: this is going to be a special night. Don’t miss it.

Details are listed up there on that fancy flier designed by Dan Lisowski. Feel free to RSVP on Facebook here.

More about the artists:

Benoît Pioulard
Portland • Kranky Records • Type Records
Benoît Pioulard is Thomas Meluch, from Portland, Oregon via Lansing, Michigan. Meluch began writing and recording music at a very young age and self released his first cd-r in 2001. After releasing the Enge 7” on Moodgadget he was signed by Kranky and released his first proper full length, the breathtaking Precis in 2006. This has been followed by Temper, his second full length for Kranky and a number of 7” releases on labels like Type. He is touring in support of Lasted, his latest full length on Kranky. As Benoît Pioulard, Meluch creates hazy, atmospheric and somewhat lo-fi folk recordings that marry his unique flair for sound design and texture with his inimitable vocal stylings. Meluch’s work has caught the attention of publications such as The Wire, XLR8R, Pitchfork and Spin, and his recordings have garnered critical acclaim around the
world.

Radere
Philadelphia • Full Spectrum Records • Rural Colours
Radere is the nom du plume of Carl Ritger, a Philadelphia-based writer and sound artist. Inspired by the notions of stasis and chance, he has been exploring the fusion of acoustic sound sources and digital production techniques since 2003. Largely shunning synthesis in favor of heavily processed organic loops, Ritger’s aesthetic aims to strike a delicate balance between densely textured washes of sound and subtle rhythmic structures. His full-length debut – A Process In The Weather Of The Heart – was recently issued via Full Spectrum Records, while several new works are slated for release this fall and winter on Rural Colours, Install Sound and Moodgadget.

Corbu
Brooklyn • Karoshi Records
Corbu is a collective of Brooklyn musicians led by Pittsburgh-born songwriter and producer Jonathan Graves. Like M83 and Boards of Canada, Corbu writes songs for a dusty, faded Syd Meade version of the future. One-note guitars and vocals shaped by ’70s soul give the songs a pop catharsis that’s buried under a lake of texture and grain. Jonathan has been singing since he was 10, and spent parts of his childhood playing hockey in Pittsburgh’s Mon Valley and singing at Catholic weddings in the same afternoon.

BATs
Philadelphia • Raw Peas
BATs is the newly minted alias for DJ Andrew Joseph, A.K.A. Accdntly and half of Bunnies + Bats. Primarily known for DJ sets that mine the deepest regions of house and techno, BATs serves as an outlet for Andrew to explore more experimental forms, from kosmische to minimal. Expect half-forgotten gems, searing psychedelia and rhythmic eruptions, all blended with loving care.

Earlier this morning, Future Sequence posted a review of the upcoming subscription pack from Rural Colours, which happens to include my Maple Drip EP. As it turns out, they had some very nice things to say. I’ll be posting information on the digital release and how you can procure one of the few remaining physical copies in the coming days. Stay tuned.

It almost didn’t happen, but this show finally came together at the 11th hour. This Saturday, I’ll be hosting - in conjunction with the Raw Peas kids - Xela and Black To Comm, two of the leading lights from the acclaimed Type Records imprint, at Younglove’s in West Philly. Both of these artists have produced some of my favorite ambient and experimental albums in recent memory, tuning in to an eclectic aesthetic that is at once both dark and welcoming, expansive and claustrophobic. It’s a heady brew, to be sure; but one which will leave you scraping your mind off the wall.

Homemade finger foods and refreshments will be available courtesy of Raw Peas, and I will be spinning records alongside BATs throughout the evening.

This is set to be both artists’ first show in Philly, so let’s give them a warm welcome!

Please RSVP on the event’s Facebook page and help spread the word.

Doors at 7pm. No cover. All ages.

I’m pleased to announced that Maple Drip - my EP release for Rural Colours - dropped this weekend. Physical copies are sold out on their end, but I have a few on hand. I’ll be selling them at shows; but if you’d like to order one from me directly, feel free to get in touch. This release is also available as a freely downloadable digital edition. Full details here.