1st solo show in 2.5 years! (I think!)

Here is the stink:

Machines with many large knobs and cables will be played for you while
amusing yourself with other large machines at GK by yours truly. (Dave
Fulton)

Looks like I am playing last so come late or come early but drink
PBR's and hang out with the nerdy boys and girls!

Ground Kontrol
511 NW Couch Street
Portland Oregon 97209

(I don't think there is a cover.)

..

Yep. We are all there. The loud side project band of mine!

March 6th 9:30PM Ground Kontrol in Downtown Portland Oregon.
511 NW Couch

Come see us along with Ferocious Eagle and Lasers ALL The Time.

Thanks
dave

It only seems like we are frozen in time... A smallish update.

Jess and I got together this fall, a couple of times & traded some tracks.
Giles and I are getting together on the 18th for 5 days in SLC. (We will be skiing but I am sure the hammond, drum kits and computers will be cranking away after my legs have failed me.)

The Milwaukie 3 will be playing the 12th in Portland at Backspace. (My alter-ego or primary-ego band depending on my relative depression levels.) Expect more shows in March in PDX. (I believe our myspace page has been deleted so go here..

http://web.mac.com/weigh/iWeb/Weigh/Shutup%20Ocean.html

I was asked to do a solo ambient show and I said yes... So expect a date/place to be announced soon.

There you go!
dave

Having been familiar with many of the Hypnos label releases and expecting something similar on this release I was not prepared for what awaited me on this new album from the duo of Dave Fulton and Giles Reaves on the Hypnos/Binary release entitled The Range. Now granted my surprise was a good surprise but a surprise nonetheless. The music on The Range is not so easy to categorize as it blends many elements from ambient, electronic and progressive rock music all into one presentation that works quite well. This CD has been on the drawing boards for about 4 years now with work being done via the internet since Dave and Giles physically had some distance between them which necessitated a slower pace than what would have been possible had they been physically a little closer to one another. Add to that the fact that there were things going on in each of their lives that brought further delays to the project and it becomes readily apparent why it took 4 years to get this project finished. As I listened to this CD the fact that it took 4 years to complete was not evident on any of the tracks but instead the music seemed as cohesive and fresh as if these two artists had started this effort last month instead of 4 years ago.

The CD is broken down into 4 parts according to the listing of the tracks on the CD case. Part 1 is entitled Somedays Go On Forever and has one song in this part. Part 2 is called The First Day and contains 3 songs. Part 3 is called A Question of….. and contains 3 songs as well. Part 4 is called The Long Walk Away and closes out the CD with another 3 songs giving this CD a total of 10 tracks clocking in at 60 minutes. Musically the sections seem to have themes that are brought out by Fulton and Reaves as the listener is moved through this CD. What starts out in the opening parts of this CD as energetic and aggressive moves into a more brooding and melancholic mood by the time the CD hits part 3 and the track Enduring Time. The drums on this track are great and really go well with the mood that is being created by this time in the flow of the CD. This slower introspective flavor finishes out the CD with the last song, The Walk, creating a very floating kind of atmosphere with some nice synths providing the focus of the piece and with some other interesting sound effects and drums bringing the piece together and closing out the CD.

The CD opens in a similar way as to the way it closes with track 1 Endless Range and Time starting out by means of a few simple piano notes echoing on the landscape along with a small number of electronic effects and finally ending up with an electronic keyboard taking over while the piano still floats above the entire piece in what seems like a loop that keeps it suspended up there. This goes on right up to the point that the whole thing reaches a crescendo that shifts the song into part 2 track 2 called Fascination where the music steps into a progressive rock type piece with various great keyboard pieces and features some first-rate drumming as well. All of this acts to keep the piece moving ahead and adds to the stimulating feel of the song. I must admit that this is one of my favorite songs from this CD and the more that I listen to it the more I appreciate the complexities of all that is going on here.

Fulton and Reaves are able to move easily from the atmospheric pieces that dot the landscape back into the more energetic sections which allows them to dramatically change the aural soundscapes that surround and captivate their listeners. As in the movement from track 3 which definitely falls into the space style of mucic to track 4 that finds the end of the song Blinded by Time picking up a slight sequenced rhythm that immediately takes the song into a rhythmic beat that becomes the centerpiece of the next song entitled Troubled Skies. This track is another favorite song from this CD that I could listen to over and over again without ever getting tired of the picture that it paints. The marvelous guitar part on this track is perfectly placed in the mix on this cut and allows it to be a balanced part of the song without cutting into the focus of the sequenced beat that is the heart of this song. Again it is a testament to their abilities to pull this kind of integration off and do it over a 4 year period and having to work at a distance from one another.

The music on The Range is a dense soundscape that demands focused attention from the listener but will reward them greatly when they dig deeply into this refreshing world that Fulton and Reaves have created here. The CD consistently features some great textures that are interwoven into the very fabric of this project through the use of great production values and skillful hands on the mixing board. The music as times is dark and forboding as on track 6 which is called Being Within the Range but it does not leave you there but rather it keeps the listener moving ahead on this sonic journey. The overall feeling of this CD is one of exploration and Fulton and Reaves have done a great job of creating the intricate soundscape that is to be where the listener will spend the next 60 minutes and return again often so as to keep finding the nooks and crannies that were missed the first time through. An excellent effort from Dave Fulton and Giles Reaves and it will be interesting to see if they decide to do another one of these projects somewhere in the future. Perhaps in another 4 years maybe? AV recommended CD.

Reviewed by Michael Foster editor of Ambient Visions

The tracks on this album are separated into four Parts, the first of which 'Somedays Go On Forever' contains just one track, 'Endless Range and Time'. Lovely piano notes with loads of reverb and a long decay initially float above warbling electronics. The piano then becomes more energetic, coming in flourishes. Meandering organ makes its mournful progress. A sequence starts up for the beginning of the Second Part, 'The First Day' and its opening track 'Fascination'. Aggressive fizzing stabs and a lovely slow melancholy lead line join the pulsations which morph wonderfully, steadily increasing in pace. The drums then start up and the level of excitement increases. This is an awesome driving track with superb melodies- ideal for air keyboard playing. I must admit to have heard nothing like this from either of these artists before. 'Blinded by Time' quietens things down with some sort of ethnic wind instrument taking rather relaxed lead duties, punctuated by tinkling percussion. More rhythms strike up for 'Troubled Skies'. The drum sounds they use on this album are very realistic. I assume they are samples but they don't sound like it. [THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE REAL DRUMS & PERCUSSION - GR] A rather percussive sequence weaves around the beats wonderfully. There's a slight tribal feel but overall it's rather mesmerizing, full of energy and angst infused power. Another wonderful one.
'Part 3: A Question of.......' Begins with 'Enduring Time' which features some more impressive drum samples [AGAIN, REAL SNARE DRUMS - GR], this time beating out a more militaristic type rhythm over laid back dreamy melodies. The juxtaposition of these two contrasting elements really works very well. 'Being within the Range' starts with rather breathy electronic effects and deep brooding string sounds. This is really moody stuff enhanced by some sparse percussive piano. Spine tingling wonderful stuff. 'Feeling Hopelessly Drawn' initially carries on in a similar mood but then becomes rather reflective and 'thoughtful' as if looking out from a hillside, watching the passing of another day. The final part 'The long walk away' kicks off with 'The Range'. It has something of a brooding symphonic, massed strings feel with tinkling piano providing detail. Tension builds and builds only letting go in a sea of cosmic twitters right near the end.
'The Space Between' presses the piano into action once more and again it is used in a rather percussive way over lovely moody organ. The piano takes over lead duties and the mood lightens, though again still rather reflective with a hint of sadness. A new slow mournful lead soars above it all, reaching right for the heart then subsides as once again the piano takes over as the main feature. As the rhythms become more prominent the mood changes once more, moving forward positively with hope. This is a simply gorgeous track. Lovely little dripping tones drift into the distance as 'The Walk' gets underway. Flutey synth and strings create a beautiful dreamy atmosphere which is joined by slow drums and bass line. So we have a rather understated track to round up a wonderfully composed and highly enjoyable album. (DL)

Dave Fulton/Giles Reaves "The Range"
(www.hypnos.com, 2007)
10 tracks, 60.33 mins

"The unique fusion of electronic and acoustic instruments on The Range is evident as "Endless Range and Time" opens the disc. Spacey electronic passages sit comfortably alongside beautiful classical piano. "Facsination" has a more overtly synthesized sound, but real drums blur the lines between rock and electronic music, much like Tangerine Dream did during their heyday. It's this seemingly dichotomous blend of guitars, drums, piano and synthesizers that make the Dave Fulton/Giles Reaves combination work so well, providing plenty of surprises and a fresh new approach that defies easy categorization or description. "Blinded By Time" is a beautiful interlude with electronic textures, soft bells, and an oboe-like synth lead. Throughout, the focus is on music to fully engage in and appreciate, as even the quieter pieces demand attention. "Troubled Skies" begins with an excellent hypnotic sequencer loop, then adds depth with soft percussion that slowly builds to an emotion-filled crescendo before a dreamy atmospheric finish. "Enduring Time" continues the pattern of skillfully weaving rock and electronic elements in imaginative ways. "Being Within The Range" has a dramatic sci-fi opening, but piano is the dominant instrument as it develops with a rather ominous feeling. "Feeling Hopelessly Drawn" is another good one, a relaxed affair, and an excellent metaphor to describe your likely reaction as you listen to The Range. It only gets better as it goes, the sweeping epic tracks "The Range" and "The Space Between" leading into "The Walk" which serves as a subdued understated denouement."

© 2007 Phil Derby / Electroambient Space

Hi There!

Here are some pictures and a few words!
http://www.thegatherings.org/67gather.html

You can buy the CD now on Amazon or from hypnos.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000Q5WYUS/104-9600513-6952711

www.hypnos.com

More soon!

dave

Well at least Jess and I are back home, Giles is somewhere between here and there. There being SLC Utah.

We had a terrific time in Philly, Chuck Van Zyl and Jeff Towne made us feel quite at home. Chuck, Art and Jeff make quite a team!

A couple of thank you's and observations:
Jeff drove us everywhere, and he never asked for gas money! Thanks!
Chuck found a bar that made me stinky drunk after 1.5 martinis. Err eh thanks!
Thanks to M. Griffin and Hypnos for rushing the CD's to us in time for the big show.
U.S. Airways still sucks.
John D, the Echoes session was just simply magnificent and fun. Thank you!
Thank you to the students and the Gatherings roadies who suffered the aches and pains of moving large boxes.
Thank you Orbital Decay! You guys are insanely good. Keep up the tradition!
Thank you Ed Asner and John Delancy, you guys rocked the White Dog!

Thank You Jess Fry. Your in. :-)

A few notes about the show on the 21st.
We played 2 warm up shows here in PDX, we attempted to do about 65% of the new CD. We knew there would be improvisation and such. This is the nature of the electronic music beast. But we knew we did not want to do the entire show backed by sequencers.
They were perfect.... Kind of... Well they showed us what worked and what did not.
Some parts worked really well. Others did not.

So we started with 3 sequencer based pieces, then 2 then 1.
How we arrived at that point is a not much of a mystery.

All along during rehearsals we avoided the CD material in favor of new music!
We recognized that was our strongest and best material.

What worked best was the improvisation either using the themes on the CD to launch us into a specific direction or follow the leader, IE: Who's got the best riff, beat or drone!

What really happened on the 21st was we went with the best of intentions of attempting a faithful but live reproduction of the CD.

What we did was what we all wanted, but really kept avoiding.

After the 1st song, that ended the sequencers! Then after the 2nd "CD cut", (No sequencers) we somehow launched into unknown territory. The set list was forgotten and the game was afoot.

Both Jess and I looked over at Giles waiting to launch into the next "proper" song. Then I saw the smile and I knew it was all about the rock. Forget the set list, set the controls for the heart of the beast!

This echoes in a way the entire creation process of this CD. We decided not to box the creation process into any "proper" preconceived electronic music song structures or style. They can all work together!

My diatribe for today.
Electronic music can be fun to play and watch. As electronic musicians we should be seen kicking the machine. Kick it hard, then drool and stare!

Thanks for coming out! It was great fun to play!

(Oh yes, buy the CD!)

dave

Hello All,

We just got this site up and running and wanted to give an update on the music. Mixes were finalized and sent off to Bob Ohlsson for mastering last week. Getting final touches on the art (the main page here is based on Jamie Haggerty's exceptional work for the CD), and liner notes. Won't be long now! In a few weeks we start rehearsals for our first of two Portland shows. We have invited local Portland musician Jes Fry to join us for these shows as well as at The Gathering in Philly this April 21st.

We're both really excited about this new music we've created. Can't wait to get out and play it for an audience! This music has had a long journey (almost four years), and it sure feels good to be wraping it up and moving on to new adventures (like live performance!). We are already talking about the next release!