A while back I discovered that you can use multiple E-Bows on a single string in a way that I can't manage with standard bows: the bows of hair or fiberglass and rosin tend to dampen each other if you apply two to a single string. (This isn't an entirely bad result as, with practice, you can use one bow to fret the string and play with the other.) However, two E-Bows add energy to the string without physically dampening out each other. Moreover, moving the second E-Bow to different locations on the same string causes different resonances to occur. This set was further exploration of this concept and more will come of this.

Live 25 July 2009 - 23minutes35seconds.

Live at badgerhaus 25 July 2009. Chapman stick, three E-Bows, Moog delays/MuRF/lowpass filter/ring modulator, Digitech Jamman, Boss RC-20 and RC-20XL loopers.

(Archived on Sounds.)

The rain forecast means I will not be performing street theremin as First Friday Theremin Theatre.


Two things I'm involved in that open Friday, both of which I'm happy about  -

1) I did the sound design for the Kidswrite! Performance Festival at Burning Coal Theatre, Raleigh, this weekend.

Shows are tonight at tomorrow at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 2pm, at Burning Coal Theatre in Raleigh.

2) A photograph of mine was chosen for inclusion in the exhibit Portraits of Raleigh: Images of a City and Her People, Part Two at Raleigh City Museum on display June 5 through the end of August/early September.

The opening reception is from 6pm-9pm, live music by the Southern String Band, drinks, and food courtesy of The Mint Restaurant.

Reception event poster

I recorded my set from last night's house concert using a room mic. Sound pressure got a little high for the end, but still perceivable. Thanks to everyone who came.

Live at badgerhaus 22 April 2009 - 13min45seconds. The Iron Muse of Judgment (picture), double-sided bow (K&K contact microphone attached to Glasser bow), Moog ring modulator, MuRF, delay, SD delay, loop pedals (Akai Headrush E2, Digitech Jamman, Boss RC-20, RC-20XL). (posted 23 April 2009)

Archived on Subscape Annex Sounds.

Two recent pieces, more beat-oriented and synthy than usual:

Vitamin B-13 (300% RDA) - Moog (MuRF, bass MuRF, delay), E-H POG, Korg Electribe-A.

Diveva - Tanbura sampler, Moog effects.

Archived on Subscape Annex Sounds.

Hope you like these.

My set from the house concert Saturday night:

Subscape Annex, Live, 10 January 2009 - contact microphone-equipped cello bow, Zeta electric upright bass, Red Witch Tremolo pedal, Moog ring modulator, MuRF, bass MuRF, delay, super delay, Akai Headrush / Boss RC-20 / Boss RC-20XL / Digitech Jamman loopers.

Archived on Subscape Annex Sounds.

From a session on December 14, our duo of tuba (David Morris) and live looping and processing (me) Ouroboros:


Book Two - 16min25sec
Orbital Recycling Station - 19min40sec
Djembe of Poseidon - 15min48sec. "Djembe of Poseidon" started from a rhythm sample that I captured while David was continuing to make rustlings, rattlings and tappings on the tuba just after we finished "Orbital Recycling Station". He suggested I work with that loop and go from there, then joined with more noises.

Archived on Ouroboros Sounds.

Prexcessive - 4min58sec. Chapman Stick, Akai Headrush E2 looper, Digitech Jamman looper. Notice: no effects. Really. Short and no effects, was this actually me?

(Prexcessive was accepted for the Meatronic compilation "Whole" compilation that is coming out soon. Given the nature of the Whole compilation, I asked and was granted permission to post my track prior to the comp's release. Look for Whole on Meatronics in early 2009.)

An attempt to emulate a glass armonica with analog electronics for the solstice.

Singing Glasses - 13min38sec. Chapman Stick, E-Bows, Moog MuRF, delay, Red Witch tremolo.

(Archived on Subscape Annex Sounds.)

New work:

Crystal Autobahn - 16min33sec. Driving through a winter wonderland at unreasonable speeds. Chapman Stick, Akai Headrush E2 looper, Moog MuRF/bass MuRF/104 delay/104SD delay, E-H POG.



Archived on Subscape Annex Sounds.

Spent the afternoon working on music. After an unsatisfied plea to the Net to bring me the head of Flipper the Dolphin [1] and examining some as-yet-untested gear, I worked with processing a live field recording.

Reflecting on Vandermeer's Ambergris, M. John Harrison's Viriconium, a cautionary interlude and meditation on the dangers of sloppy identification of your dinner.

Mushroom Salad - 19min20sec. Field recording made in restaurant, Chapman Stick, E-Bow, Moog lowpass filter, MuRF, bass MuRF, ring modulator, analog delay. Processed through Sound Soap and Audacity.

( Archived on Subscape Annex Sounds. )

[1] Or any dolphin, really. Actually I just want a skull. I could make do with a replica.