From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V6 #135 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Monday, May 15 2000 Volume 06 : Number 135 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: theremin (WAS Re: review - kym brown etc) ["Neil K. Guy" ] a little more Theremin info ["Chris Stack" ] Plugging away! [Ted Jacobs ] FROH playlist 5/00 [burp@mindspring.com (Scott Burger)] Neile's very very late February 2000 Report [Neile Graham ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 14 May 2000 02:46:03 -0700 From: "Neil K. Guy" Subject: Re: theremin (WAS Re: review - kym brown etc) > > The "box" in question actually *is* a musical instrument... it's >called a theremin... it's a box that creates electromagnetic fields, >and sounds are created by interrupting those fields with one's hands >or some other object... the theremin is mainly known for its use in >creating "spooky" noises for cheesy 70s horror movie soundtracks... Funny you should mention theremins. I'm in LA right now but spent the day in San Francisco, where I visited the Exploratorium. (groovy science centre for kids) I have fond memories of visiting there as a kid, so I was really excited about going there again. And I played with the theremin they have there. However, I don't know if I'm simply not cut out to be a theremin player (highly probable) or if it wasn't a very good theremin, as I was only able to get irritating screechy noises out of it. No spooky UFO landing sounds from 1950s SF movies or anything. Sigh. - Neil K. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 May 2000 10:57:01 -0500 From: Kim Justice Subject: Re: theremin (WAS Re: review - kym brown etc) At 4:46 AM -0500 5/14/00, Neil K. Guy wrote: >[...] I visited the Exploratorium. (groovy >science centre for kids) [...] I played >with the theremin they have there. However, I don't know if I'm >simply not cut out to be a theremin player (highly probable) or if it >wasn't a very good theremin, as I was only able to get irritating >screechy noises out of it. No spooky UFO landing sounds from 1950s SF >movies or anything. Sigh. If you've not seen video of theremin players, it can be challenging to figure out the general technique -- it's important to use both controllers, for example, to create smooth fade-ins and -outs. I was there a little over a month ago; at least at that point in time, it was working okay. kj - -- justicek@home.com (Kim Justice) Free kj music at http://www.mp3.com/kimjustice "There can always be new beginnings, even for people like us." -- Susan Ivanova ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 May 2000 12:27:14 -0400 From: dave Subject: more Theremin I remember seeing Jean Michel Jarre playing a Theremin in a concert shown on PBS a while back. I don't remember if it was the Oxygene in Moscow concert, which is available on video, or not.. There's a little video clip of him at the Theremin Institute on his webpage: http://www.jarre.com/site/archive/moscow.html Here's a very good page with some info on the history of Theremins and how they work, and, if you're technically inclined, there are plans for building your own. http://home.att.net/~theremin1/index.htm Happy and Kevin, take note... I expect to hear some weeeeeoooo...oooweeeeee on the next CD ;) - -- +-----------------------------------------------+ + dave + + Sideshow Bob's House of Wax and Waffles + + Female vocalists, Christian, and Polish music + + http://www.magpage.com/~sspan/ + +-----------------------------------------------+ + irc.dal.net #tori #ecto + +-----------------------------------------------+ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 May 2000 13:56:17 -0400 From: "Chris Stack" Subject: a little more Theremin info A little more Theremin info for those interested. Robert Moog, of Moog Synthesizer fame, currently has a company called Big Briar, located in Asheville, NC (a WONDERFUL city, BTW). One of the many things they do there is manufacture Theremins. Check out the website, www.bigbriar.com for more information. One of the hats I wear is printed circuit board designer. I was fortunate in the past to be able to do a couple boards for him on a custom project (non-Theremin) he was working on and I also did a (VERY) little bit of work on the MIDI interface for the Theremins. This was extremely cool for me because many of the artistic and professional choices I have made in my life were the result of my sixth grade music teacher letting the class listen to Switched on Bach, which used synthesizers designed by Robert Moog. That, and having one of my boards (with my initials buried in the circuitry) go up on the space shuttle, have been the highlights of my professional life. ___________________________ «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤» ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Chris Stack c_stack@mindspring.com ___________________________ «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤» ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ "One should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of One's life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul." -Goethe ___________________________ «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤» ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 May 2000 23:31:10 -0400 From: Ted Jacobs Subject: Plugging away! After doing a lot of e reminiscing this week about my early writing endeavors , I decided to look up a few old friends on line, who were kind enough to publish me in their little artistic pamphet-come-zine "Sparks". http://eserver.org/sparks/sparks.html (you won't find me in any of these issues, My stuff pre dates their on line format, and I'm glad cause my stuff sucked! I was going through a phase....of sucking, apparently.) Anyway, just like moi, Jim and Stacy Esch are also Musically inclined and have a lot of free stuff on Mp3.com http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/14/stacy_and_jim_esch.html Some of this stuff is very Ecto-worthy. Jim is also an original member of the Garage punk band "Joe", Named after some guy named Joe - http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/16/joe.html At any rate I was glad I touched base after 6 or 7 years and figured I'd share. Anarchy (when convenient) - ted ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 May 2000 00:12:38 -0500 From: burp@mindspring.com (Scott Burger) Subject: FROH playlist 5/00 Greetings! Free Radio Oregon Hill is a pirate radio station in Richmond, VA. It is currently heard at 92.7 FM in the Fan, North Side, and parts of West End, Southside, Downtown. FROH is on 24 hours, 7 days a week (unlike WDCE, U of Richmond's college station or WCVW, Virginia Commonwealth University's cable access station) as long as the cd players are not malfunctioning and there is not a thunder storm. PLEASE DO NOT SHARE THIS INFO WITH MEMBERS OF MEDIA OR LAW ENFORCEMENT. Here is some of the music that has aired recently: Bad Livers blood & mood Sugar Hill - -badass bluegrass. Various Artists Groovebox Grand Royale - -compilation based on a simple drum machine with previously unreleased cuts by Beck, Rev Horton Heat, Ben Folds Five, Cibo Matto, and more. I cannot tell you more about it because one of our djs "borrowed" it. Bring it back! U.S. Crush self-titled Immortal - -punk pop from Cali Various Artists Old School vs New School Vol.2 Zomba/Jive Electro - -compilation featuring groups like A Tribe Called Quest, Propellerheads, Stone Roses, Lionrock, Boogie Down Productions, Fu-Schnickens, Pimp Juice, Utah Saints, Groove Armada, and others doing versions of old school tracks. Chumbawumba WYSIWYG Republic - -I like this because it sounds very Top 40 until you realize just how subversive the lyrics are. Various Artists Infinity Paradox/Digital Insect Media Fusion Media - -crazy industrial/techno/I dont know from entities Eru, Big City Orchestra, Dreamstate, ENE (local artist Scott Hudgins), Sara Ayers. Various Artists CMJ New Music Report June 2000 College Media - -from the latest issue, includes tracks like P.O.D., XTC, Tin Hat Trio, The Step Kings, Bargain Music, Boom Bip & Doseone, Mekons, Pitchshifter, Primal Scream, and more. The Imaginary Friends Come Out To Play Space Age Recordings - -Spacemen3 alumni launch new project. Very spacy. Rock, Rot, and Rule s/t Stereolaffs@mindspring.com - -legendary prank of rock criticism as recorded off WFMU. The Waxwings low to the ground Bobsled - -mythic pop rock. the verna cannon movie star faces Cargo - -subdued, moody pop with female vocals Intonarumori self-titled Unit Circle - -insane almostfree jazz/worldbeat/music from one of my favorite indie labels. Aaron Binder As Modern As Tomorrow self-released - -Charlottesville jazz piano guy Oceania self-titled Point/Universal - -beautiful new agey/world beat fusion with female singing. Supafuzz All About The Rock Gotham - -the title says it all. Various Artists Planetarium Planetary - -local label release 2-cd compilation of local electronica, East Coast Boogiemen, ENE, FROH's own RealTIme, and more. It was fun broadcasting live from Cafine's for the release party. Joseph Arthur Come To Where I Am From Realworld - -unique singer/songwriter guy. kumquat self-titled self-released - -very fun samplecore that rocks and grooves. One of my favorite new indie releases. Various Artists Las Vegas Grind Part 2 Strip/EFA - -vintage r&b/garage craziness by The Charts, Jaguars, The Fabulous Raiders, The Fabulous Continentals, The Fabulous Tempoes, Jack Ross, Earthworms, and others. Speedbuggy self-titled Cargo - -new country punk My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult A Crime For All Seasons Ryko/Palm - -I am not sure if this a new release or rerelease, but I know this is sexy, junky, techno fun. Various Artists The Punk Soundtrack Beach Recordings - -punk by Nuclear Rabbit, Subincision, No Alternative, Wurmhole, and more. Other new stuff FROH has been playing: DJ Spooky vs. Scanner, Tom Maybe (prank calls), Amish Apocalypse (Penn punk comp), Mouse On Mars, Missing Joe, Mascera, Organica, Fishbone, CMJ New Music Report May 2000, Reverend Horton Heat, Billy Mahonie, Gold Sparkle Band, Apartment Three, Quannum Spectrum (great alt. hip hop comp.), Blackalicious, Samite (Ugandan superstar), Daycare Swindlers, Consolidated, Tahiti 80, Brainbombs, Laurell, and of course, more. More new local stuff heard on FROH: Cracker's new 2-cd, Floating Folk Festival Vol.2, Archie Crisis, Dirtball, Draw The Kitten, Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra, The Ululating Mummies, Farqhar, and of course, more. A few more quick notes: FROH is still working on getting computer automated for when the station lacks live djs. When that happens I will be putting out a call for MP3's of local music and announcements. FROH is also still working on getting some repeater transmitters in place to increase the range. Buy FROH t-shirts at Plan 9. They are in the Crypt at the Carytown store. FROH is available for live broadcasts, contact me for more details. Wired Magazine has a great article on the LPFM fight and FROH's patron saint, L.D. Brewer, in its new issue. To get stuff played on the air, send it to P.O. Box 14738 Richmond, VA 23221 Thanks, Scott P.O. Box 14738 Richmond, VA 23221 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 May 2000 15:53:39 -0700 From: Neile Graham Subject: Neile's very very late February 2000 Report Aisth, four downloaded demo tracks I am totally in love with a band named Aisth that is on mp3.com--the bad news is that they haven't released anything yet, not even one of http://www.mp3.com's DAMs. Darn. I especially love their song, "Box" and for a long time listened to it at least once a day. I'd love to hear more from this band. It's electronica, trip hop, ectronica, whatever you call it, and the vocals are great and the songs, especially "Box" stick in my head. First of June, _creepy, crawly things_ [CD-R album] Very odd and enjoyable. Sounds like Tori Amos and I guess I hear that, but it seems like all too easy a comparison, and there's more going on here than that. The sound is rather Tori-esque, sounding mostly like "Little Amsterdam" from the _Boys for Pele_ era. I find it compelling listening. The singer's voice is sort of muffled (she's got a slightly smoky voice anyway), and unfortunately the sound quality generally isn't too great (don't know if that's because of the CD-R or because it won't play on my boombox and I've mostly been listening to it on my computer speakers). I like the quality of the songwriting a lot and how they put their sound together. I obsessed on this one for several weeks. Samples available at http://www.mp3.com and http://www.clones.ca/~foj. Christine Fellows, _2 Little Birds_ The best songs here are brilliant, haunting, all those wonderful things. Kind of like Cat Power or Kristin Hersh with a touch of Veda Hille. Very indie feeling. The disc as a whole is a tad uneven, but when it's good, it's great, and this is overall extremely promising. http://www.endearing.com. Larissa Dalle, _piscean_ / Crushed, _The Closed Room_ EP / Collaborateur, _Tempest_ These are all eps with various incarnations of Larissa Dalle and bands. She does a stripped down indie melodic kind of pop, a little like the best of Cat Power. Her sound is offbeat but caught my attention on first listen to the sound files. I recommend her eps to anyone interested in untraditional pop. I really like these and found that they continue to grow on me. http://www.larissadalle.com. Ninety Nine, _767_ This has a real indierock Lois-like sound overall. The vocalist has a similar style and the sound is stripped down. The occasional addition of xylophone & vibraphone give it a slightly off-kilter Pram-ish feel, but the dominant instrument here is electric guitar. I really enjoy this one. Shellyz Raven, _Desolation_ [homemade CDR from available mp3s] This is classic Gothic rock with nice vocals and nicely constructed songs. I really like this. I would definitely buy a regular album from these people. April Lisa, _Herculisa_ [CDR EP from mp3.com] Odd, catchy, fun, quirky. She doesn't have the greatest voice but she has a fun sense of humour with both her lyrics and her instrumentation. Definitely not for everyone but I really enjoy these few songs. Rosenberg 7, _R7_ Their overall sound reminds me very much of Varrtina, though perhaps a little toned down. They do sounds like they're having lots of fun, singing their sparsely accompanied folk songs. The "7" part of this is that there are four voices, a cello, a viola, and a fiddle (though there really are 8 members in the bands since there are two violist who alternate, at least in the recorded version of the music. Highly recommended for fans of Nordic folk. Milksop Holly, _Time To Come In_ We didn't like _Milkweeds_ (her first album) much at all, but _Time To Come In_ is good. Her voice is very like Rebecca Stout of The Shakers and the much is a find of indie folkrock that's low key and pleasant and sometimes delightful. Michaela Foster March, _Fairy Tales & the Death of Innocence_ This is an odd mixture of Michaela Foster Marsh's smoky-strong vocals, emotive singing style, electronic background noises, and pop (sometimes better than others) lyrics. Sometimes it works brilliantly, as in the cabaret-ish "Time Bomb" and the anthem-like "Naked in the Water" but sometimes it just feels overwrought. She reminds me of a slightly more conventional Rebecca Timmons who misses a little more often (there are a couple of songs I hit the forward button on) than Timmons does. Still, interesting, and some of these songs really stick in my head. Lisa Richards, _Not Quite So Low_ Another uneven one for me, as this tends toward sounding a little country-folkie for my tastes. I discovered her through someone mentioning her mp3.com tracks, and I think those are the best on the disc. I really like her song "I Don't Think so", about abuse--it manages to tell a story rather than being simply didactic as so many songs about issues are, and I like a couple of others quite a lot, too, but others I can live without. She has quite a sharp voice, which some people will like more than others. Karling Abbeygate, _Tin Town_ / _Glory Girl_ Karling has a kind of overall Kate-like sound but doesn't seem to quite have a handle on how to use it effectively yet. _Tin Town_ is her first album, and I would recommend avoiding it unless you like the whole of _Glory Girl_, her second, so much that you need more. Myself I found I liked only parts of _Glory Girl_, mostly the tunes that were available at http://www.mp3.com, so I might have been just as happy not to have ordered the discs from her. Certainly not to have ordered both of them. Oops. Various, _Wizard Women of the North_ A sampler of Northside's (http://www.noside.com) female artists. A great taste of a lot of wonderful musicians. - --Neile - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Neile Graham ...... http://www.sff.net/people/neile ....... neile@sff.net Les Semaines: A Weekly Journal . http://www.sff.net/people/neile/semaines The Ectophiles' Guide to Good Music ....... http://www.smoe.org/ectoguide ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V6 #135 **************************