shows, new music, improvising
lots to talk on this month, so here's a TDLR if you just want bullet points
SHOWS THIS WEEK
Doodle to improvised soundscapes with live art at SLIPSTREAMS this Wednesday, February 12 at 9:30pm. Joining us is Finnish computer and kantele duo hakosolo_tuohino.
HAMILTON for RIZZFEST on Saturday, February 15. I'm resurrecting my alter ego angel bby to open up the show at 6pm on.the.dot.
TLDR
Watch my full set with StretchMetal from last September's Drone Rodeo, professionally recorded et al for the ~vibes~
february is for mindmelting
there are so many drop-dead gorgeous things about !🤸♀️LIVING🤸♀️!
like licking the static straight off a tube television or eating a tree trunk that has the texture of cake fondant.
(although, not technically possible unless you fondant the tree yourself - but that isn't really the point).
I had a professor once ask "do you think or feel when you improvise?" (nature vs. nurture, intention vs flow), and it somehow feels related to this video on automatic drawing a friend recently sent.
when you let your mind wander where does it go? - is it some psychosomatic subconscious iteration, a dreamstate, literal stream of thought bubbles? Do you even try to understand why your mind takes you th/where, or let it be a momentary fleet of inner tubes, in waterslides, swishing merrily onwards?
that, to me, is why I love improvising so much. It's imperative, it's fundamentally present, and once the moment's finished its over - no going back and tweaking, or recreating, or rerecording track on track on track. It is what it is; you eat, swallow, and repeat.
(also if you want to hear this month's improvised thoughts/music ep, february, its now live)
live from Chicago w/StretchMetal
on this topic, last September I had the immense pleasure of returning to StretchMetal's Drone Rodeo series at The Hideout.
When it comes to live sets sometimes I struggle with wanting to predetermine the setlist oh-so-meticulously to ensure that even the improvised bits have structures or forms to work with. I'll put together a list of tunes and interlude ideas alongside which cassette options could work where, and then practice getting in and out of patches.
In some ways this has been a great way to expand an improvised practice outside of the free improv / contemporary classical scene I was rooted in - I have 'pieces' that I 'play' that are somewhat recognizable even if the details change show to show (ie jellygoo + literally everything I've released). But within this, I do sometimes find it hard keeping things feeling as 'fresh' as they do when you first improvise it - or atleast grounded to that sparky impetus thoughtfeel that birthed the piece to begin with.
Finding that balance in structure vs. free is tricky - it reminds me of when I'd prep for classical juries and my teacher would remind me to only practice without emotion the day-of a performance, otherwise I'll have none left when the audience arrives.
All this to say - this is one of the few recent sets where I felt like I was able to find that balance. Structured enough to give me a bowl, and loose enough to allow me to fill it with what was presently imperative - and in that I'd like to think we all shared that lil momentary magic of breathing space together. I hope you enjoy <3
yea yea yea I know I'm a romantic goon, ok,
onto fun recommends!
"I found myself forced to search for a way to sing other people's lyrics that felt honest and real." heartfelt, cozy, justin orok's recent album Debt
yes this is absolute KFC propaganda, but for the love of all that is finger lickin' good, have yourself a funny valentines day with the classic dating sim I love you, Colonel Sanders.
some silly harp + synth valentines to print, email, +/or share w/friends
more proof Lara Croft is a harpist (don't call me a lyre)
thx for reading, as always
<3 grace
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