Mark Shreeve and Ian Boddy are the duo of Arc and continue a tradition of experimentation through collaboration - both live and in the studio. Rexamining the sequencer spacemusic of the '70s through the creative lens of two masterful electronic musicians, Arc realizes music that is evocative and compelling.
This duo touches on all the major aspects of the Spacemusic genre, their melodies are human, rhythms machine-like, harmonies ethereal and the range of timbres they create to voice their music are original and extraordinary. Arc filters the past into a vital contemporary landscape without sinking to cliche. Their music is a sincere exploration of the mood and mystery of the Spacemusic genre.
Mark Shreeve and Ian Boddy have a great deal in common. They both independently rose to icon status - catalyzing the 1980's UK synth scene - through the release of several remarkable studio albums and numerous legendary live performances; Shreeve notorious for his muscular, testosterone fueled electro-music and Boddy for his prog-influenced symphonic synthscapes.
Arc will be making their Stateside concert debut at The Gatherings Concert Series in Philadelphia on Saturday 14 November 2009. For complete details, please access: www.thegatherings.org
Following The Gatherings Concert in Philadelphia Arc and their music making equipment will be moved over to STAR'S END Ambient Radio for a live in-studio radio performance of all new original Ambient material. Tune in to the 11.15.09 broadcast of STAR'S END for the live on-air radio concert beginning at 1:00am at 88.5fm WXPN in Philadelphia or access the live webcast.
Other Reviews of Interest:
Jason Sloan Live on STAR'S END 11.22.09
Exploring sound, texture and atmosphere, the music of Jason Sloan
is smooth and spacious. It opens up and fills ambient areas with the
slow motion of sustaining chords and a gradual metamorphosis of timbre.
By adding the elements of rhythm and melody, his works provide a
surprisingly deeper examination of the interior landscape. With layers
of reverberant e-bow guitar over sampled percussion loops or cloud-soft
synth pads churning alongside digital-age beats, Sloan's musical ideas
posses a shimmering exuberance. Expanding beyond the uniformity of
structure found on his early drone-like works, the energy of the new
fuller arrangements is subdued by dreamy atmospherics. Sparking then
smoldering, his music plays out across an ever-changing landscape - and
deserves praise for aiming so high.
Soundscape artist Jason Sloan plays live on the 11.22.09 broadcast of STAR'S END. Please tune in for details.
For photos of Jason Sloan live on previous broadcasts of STAR'S END, please access his STAR'S END Profile
For more about Jason Sloan, please access his official Website: www.jasonsloan.com
Desert Planet Discs - Top Ten
Imagine you are traveling at light speed in your spaceship somewhere
out at the furthest reaches of the aural universe. Suddenly there is a
malfunction and you must ditch it on a nearby deserted desert planet!
Oh No! With little hope of rescue you are on your own for the
foreseeable future. So what music would you want to have with you while
you are waiting to be found?
STAR'S END asked this of avid listener Warren Seddon of Audubon, New Jersey. Warren's background includes having performed on synthesizer with the groups Snib, Autobahn and Ace Paradise, but he may be more well-known as spokesman for the Rat Island Raiders,
a loose group of self-proclaimed pirates who frequent a small unnamed
(and nearly uncharted) island on the Delaware River for toxic mid-life
recreational activities. Their bi-annual weekend retreats out to Rat
Island always culminate in listening to the live broadcast of STAR'S
END Ambient Radio - amidst fog horns sounding, oil tankers passing and
commercial jets landing at nearby Philadelphia International - all in
the dark of night. A photo essay of one such trip may be accessed Here and Warren Seddon's Homepage Here
What with Warren being such an avid STAR'S END
listener and an attendee and supporter of The Gatherings Concert Series
as well, one imagines that he would come up with an interesting library
of music while a cosmic castaway on Planet X. It's probably nicer there
than out on the island - where he has been subjected to all kinds of
poor weather and even worse human behavior! So, exactly what will
Warren be listening to until the Space Rangers pop by to the rescue?
Read on!
Top Ten Desert Planet Discs - Warren Seddon
Force Majeure by Tangerine Dream:
This is a listening staple out on the island. "Thru Metamorphic
Rocks" has always been a favorite since it has great sequencing, as
well as the great balance of the Tangerine Dream ensemble.
Concerts in the USA by Rudy Adrian:
Of particular interest is the track, "Island of the Pirates". I have
been stranded on an island during an intense cosmic meteor shower, and
we listened to Rudy's music and interview on STAR'S END. He even spoke
to the brethren of pirates via the radio broadcast. Later, on his
concert tour, he visited the island. Okay, so I am sentimental - okay,
just mental.
The Demon Haunted World by Under the Dome:
Space travel requires mathematics as well as imagination. This CD
combines both in a precise structure. A tremendous blend of rhythm and
flow.
Empetus by Steve Roach:
Did I mention I like sequences? It's like locking your door and
checking it two or three or four times - no that would be compulsive
behavior... Anyway, this CD is a great collection of sequencer oriented
compositions.
Meditationen by Spyra:
in particular the song "Future of the Past part 2". The guy's first name is Wolfgang. [Close, Spyra's first name is not "Wolfgang", it is Wolfram -ed]
To the Shores of Heaven by Jeff Pearce:
Calming and as peaceful as it gets. Don't forget to breathe. Plus
Pearce plays guitar with a fork, in his stocking feet. Really he does!
God knows why.
Everlasting Moment by The Ministry of Inside Things
If I was stranded on an alien planet, somehow I'm sure the two guys
in MoIT would show up - somehow, and one would not enjoy the cold
climate and the other would remind me that he is a vegetarian, and my
luck would be that I would be on a planet inhabited by intelligent
plantlife.
Stuntman by Edgar Froese:
I would take comfort in the energy this CD creates.
Archiac Modulation by Steve B-Zet:
This CD just sounds like space, maybe a bad choice, if I were truely
stranded out there would I need to be reminded of space? Probably not,
but I like the CD.
Solar Maxima by Orbital Decay:
Another great CD and I could imagine all the extra gear involved,
can I bring the CD and it's composer's gear? These guys would have tons
of junk to help you survive, and maybe, just maybe even a tarp. Don't
leave home without a tarp.
Great! Thanks for participating Warren!