Some Thoughts on the First Performance

First, I'd like to thank everyone who came out on July 2 to watch, listen, and participate. The following is just a reflection on the night. And, to anyone who was there, feel free to comment or get in touch if you have photos or thoughts to share. Thanks, again!

shLow Tunes: Popular Songs played in Unpopular Ways
The evening started a little late, which seems to be the norm at these functions. We charged on with less than an hour wasted. I believe I won over the eight or nine people there with my charm and wit while discussing the third movement of Mahler's "Der Titan" and the 1970s-1980s guitar nexus of Eugene Chadbourne, Davey Williams, and Henry Kaiser. Maybe not. I had fun discussing and demonstrating extended technique. Hopefully someone else did, too.

I followed the lecture with the piece "Vomitorium," which was recently recorded for a project MicSmythe is putting together. More on that recording as details are available.

Duo Dacryops
Since I had the upright onstage, we decided to just go ahead and start our set. Billy Masters was working the sampler and various other devices and I just tried to keep up. We may try to play longer next time, but I was really happy with our first performance. We're slowly figuring out how to communicate within the confines of our instrumentation.

Cataarh
I was really excited about the first live show for this group featuring B.M. and Hemikrania on electronics. It was finished just as it got started. Dense and oddly laid back in comparison to many of the group's recordings. They promise to be back with a vengeance.

(Hopefully the order below is correct.)

Frankie
Frankie from the Western Lands came up next and played some acoustic songs. It was an enjoyable, unexpected, and rare solo set from a dynamic musician we're lucky to have back in town. Frankie's songs (including a blues) provided a nice contrast to the earlier free music/noise/sounds.

Dixieland Noise Band
They didn't so much perform, but erupt into song between sets. Uncontrollable kazoo and bugle madness.

Ted Matthews
Folk, country blues, and free music all grappling in the lap of Ted. Almost every song was played with a different instrument. I seem to remember a banjo and a twelve string acoustic. We were definitely happy to have Big Easy Matthews back in town. Right after his set began, he told us that he didn't know any more songs and then played for at least another hour. But that's Ted for you--always unpredictable.

MicSmythe
I think this was a highlight for many. Basically a two-part composition/improv featuring the audience as ensemble. The first featured a driving 7/8 drum pattern and the second featured a more laid-back groove and electric bass raga. Noise-makers, persussion, flutes, gongs--you name it, it was heard here.

Cattle Baron
What can you say about the Cattle Baron? He rocked.

Western Lands
Ditto for them.

Instead of the planned conducting and improv games, the Western Lands set was followed by an electric jam. Fun, but we hope to get everyone involved playing with and conducting a large ensemble. That's one of our goals for next month.

--McClurg