Computer Music in NYC, a sampling - January 04
The computer music scene in New York City is diverse and full of
activity. On almost any given day of the week, one can find an event
taking place that offers interesting music. It's exciting to be in a
city where one can find so many computer music artists pursuing unique
directions. I managed to track down four artists in NYC who are all
actively making noteworthy contributions to the local scene in their own
unique way. Each artist was asked the same series of questions. By
noting the difference between the artist's answers, one can catch a
glimpse of how there are many different modes of thought that comprise
the NYC computer music scene. I would like to thank each of these
artists for answering my questions and encourage listeners to check out
their releases and live performances.
Gerald Wenzel
gerald _at_ apspec.com
apspec.com
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Adam Kendall
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What names/aliases do you perform/compose under?
Adam Kendall
Hellbender Film Projekt
How would you describe your music?
Dense, pulsing, ambient
How do you feel about the computer music scene in New York City?
It's like any broad category of music -- some of it's great, some of it sucks. Think about asking the same question for Rock -- There are so many genres, styles, techniques, and artists that there's no way to easily judge the entire scene. But it's exciting to be around the birth and development of a whole new way of making music.
How do you feel about the computer music scene on a global level?
Don't know enough about it.
How do you use a computer to express and document your musical ideas?
It's both an instrument and a tool.
What do you like most about computer music?
The ability for almost endless exploration combined with the ability to narrow-in and minutely fine-tune ideas.
What do you like least about computer music?
Cliches; too many people easily calling themselves "musicians" because they bought a piece of software; that it's called computer music and not just music.
Why do you make music?
If you need to ask...
Is there a type of technological innovation you would like to see with computer music? (ie. new hardware interface, new type of instrument, new approach to software)
Inexpensive, durable touchscreens, software that can accept multiple-touch points, and computers setup to use them (i.e., for music, it would mean screens laying flat or at a slight angle, like analog mixers, effects devices, etc.)
Could you please give a few points of reference so readers can find out more about you? (ie websites, record labels, events you regularly play at)
www.hellbender.org
www.fthnyc.com
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Datach'i
================================
What names/aliases do you perform/compose under?
datach'i
How would you describe your music?
its a mix of feelings all at once and some more.
How do you feel about the computer music scene in New York City?
its good and nice that there are casual occurrences spread throughout the city however it is deeming electronic music as casual and to be taken lightly whereas in my eyes it is something really special that deserves special attention on a grander scale..more then just playing small to mid size events regularly..
How do you feel about the computer music scene on a global level?
see above.
How do you use a computer to express and document your musical ideas?
computers are the hub between my brain and the outside world, a kind of translator. its also much like having another mouth or tool to communicate.
What do you like most about making computer music?
freedom, accessibility, quickness of executing ideas.
What do you like least about computer music?
see above
Why do you make music?
i love it. the outcome of feelings is impossible to recreate through any other form of communication.
Is there a type of technological innovation you would like to see with computer music? (ie. new hardware interface, new type of instrument, new approach to software)
for hardware id like everything to go wireless. i dont even know where to start with software. There's some developing going on at duke university where they're having these monkeys control computers/software via electrodes attached to thier heads and reading there brain waves. The monkeys are able to move the cursor of the mouse by just thinking it and they're even able to control a robotic arm. I'd be much into just thinking about what I want to do and having it be done. as far as making music it could make the outcome of music more unique to the users chemical make up. Really a lot of possibilities.
Could you please give a few points of reference so readers can find out more about you? (ie websites, record labels, events you regularly play at)
label- planet mu
label site- www.planet-mu.com
direct link to my new album- www.planet-mu.com/ziq087.html
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Chris Burke
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What names/aliases do you perform/compose under?
glomag
Chris Burke
How would you describe your music?
live electronics
How do you feel about the computer music scene in New York City?
The live electronic music scene is pretty vibrant in NYC, encompassing noise collage, DJ arts, dance and pop with lots of eclectic overlap. The organizers/artists involved mostly have an inclusive attitude toward who they invite to participate. There are lots of free events and opportunities to play.
Some of the best events are Share (Open Air Bar), F:T:H (Remote Lounge), Phonomena (Tonic), Bunker (Tonic), and Undercity (Halcyon).
No one makes money on it except maybe some of the big House parties. Some of the club owners go out of pocket to keep the events going, but it all draws a decent amount of press and popular attention. There are also many ties with international artists and 'exchanges' going on. I helped organize one event that was a web link with gameboy musicians in NY (Open Air) and Vienna (Rhiz bar) and I have travelled to Europe several times to play shows with artists I met online.
How do you feel about the computer music scene on a global level?
It's quite enormous. The availability of composition/performing software has brought on an explosion in artists writing, performing and posting their work on the internet. This has encouraged tiny sub-genres to pop-up with online communities and international audiences. It's a good thing that there is generally more music being made and more diverse points of view feeding the community of ideas. Sometimes this means that the divisions of styles become very finely drawn and and the sound becomes over defined. I believe this insures a short life span for the style and discourages experimentation. I would like to see more toleration of non adherence to genre boundaries.
How do you use a computer to express and document your musical ideas?
I use a Mac laptop and also gameboys. My experience on each is very different but I use them together frequently. I like the direct nature of writing on the gameboy and the broad capabilities of writing on the laptop. I generally use off the shelf software such as Reason and Live on the Mac. I use Nanoloop on the gameboys. Sometimes I record the gameboy tracks individually, break them into discreet loops and manipulate them on the laptop. Other times I use the laptop to add ambient chords and pads to the gameboy tracks.
I leave large portions of each composition open to permutation in a live setting. I am forever looking for a better all-in-one controller for use with the laptop. The more control I have here, the more open I can leave the tracks and the more varied the outcome when I perform.
What do you like most about computer music?
I try to find the joy of the machine and the mechanism of joy.
What do you like least about computer music?
Adherence to overdefined genres.
Why do you make music?
It is the carrot I dangle to keep moving forward.
Is there a type of technological innovation you would like to see with computer music? (ie. new hardware interface, new type of instrument, new approach to software)
I would like to see more developers like Propellerheads making software with quickly accessible features. I despise Logic and it's features buried in sub-sub menus. There is a tendency amongst some developers and users to fetishize the arcane and labyrinthine. I have learned to use quite a few very 'deep' programs that would have benefitted greatly from a little usability consideration.
I would like to see more options in midi controllers. I want a box with 16 faders, 16 knobs, LEDs for each that read out the names of the parameters being effected with midi IN and USB out to the computer.
Could you please give a few points of reference so readers can find out more about you? (ie websites, record labels, events you regularly play at)
Glomag
www.bongdern.com/glomag
net labels: Kikapu.net, imnotok.com
previous work: Glorified Magnified- "All Wave Super"- 1994, Sire Records
Chris Burke- "Oil War", 1991, Arrest Records
Bloodbank- "Not the End of the World, Darling"- 1992, Arrest Records
Chris Burke- "Idioglossia"- 1990, Mode Records (www.mode.com)
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Velapene Screen
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What names/aliases do you perform/compose under?
velapene screen
How would you describe your music?
rythmyc,melodic, polar movements creating a lush tangible atmosphere
How do you feel about the computer music scene in New York City?
i feel like it exists, well.
How do you feel about the computer music scene on a global level?
apparently computers are sold everywhere so im assuming besides my favorite third world countries the computer music scene is growing and will continue to.
How do you use a computer to express and document your musical ideas?
i use a lot of the buttons , sometimes i look at the screen.
What do you like most about computer music?
versitility
What do you like least about computer music?
everyone is making it
Why do you make music?
for the chill in my spine to tingle
Is there a type of technological innovation you would like to see with computer music? (ie. new hardware interface, new type of instrument, new approach to software)
finger gloves with a note on each tip so i can create chords when i say excellent like monty burns.
Could you please give a few points of reference so readers can find out more about you? (ie websites, record labels, events you regularly play at)
my ep was released on coad audio on oct. 21st
VELAPENE SCREEN
'VELATISION' www.coad.to
my next scheduled event is in california during january on the digital nimbus radio show but im sure ill play a nyc show before then.
i was also released on "crash redevelopment" the coad audio compilation with :unit, datach'i, bob humid and nkh.
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