6-16-09 >><< NEW ELEPHANT PRIESTS RELEASE, general updates
As mentioned in the last update, today is the official date of the release of my collaboration with Isaac Peachin (aka Vusac), Elephant Priests. For all to see:
I've been working with (now) Seattle-based producer and friend of mine Isaac Peachin (also known as Vusac) since 2006. Isaac and I started a duet collaboration awhile back titled 'Elephant Priests' (a name that arose from a massive Thanksgiving night of too much wine and 'not' cigarettes). The sound took on a more ambient, 'downtempo,' relaxed vibe, and was a major departure from the kind of music I normally compose.
Today is the official release of an album we completed about a year ago. All in all, I'm very pleased with the outcome. A lot of work went into this record, and with the amazing John Savage featured on Suling plus more artwork by the beyond amazing Gavin Wilson, I'm proud to have it as part of my overall discography.
The album can be downloaded from Itunes and from Amazon as an MP3 download. We may have a few hard copies available at some point in the future, but for now the album is strictly a digital release. If you've ever wondered if BlipVert has a mellower side, check out the album and play........softly :)
On a completely different front, the new BlipVert record is almost finished! Just a tune or two more to go! This'll be the most realized, massive collection of Blip-stuff that I've ever done, and I've been occasionally posting a tune or two on the myspacery. An LA jaunt is scheduled for August, and if anyone wants to book more gigs or help out in any way please let me know! Canada and NYC/East Coast is loosely planned for the fall, as well as Europa with Eat Concrete part 2. Fun!
4-26-09 >><< Synchronicity in LA May 1st, Elephant Priests Release in June
Back down to LA-LA Land the BlipVert experience goes with a May 1st set at the new Synchronicity Gallery. Synchronicity is a new venture run by my old friends Stane and Christie Scott, who used to own and operate the il Corral and Zero-Point space. Flyer below:
A massive night of music will commence at 8 PM, featuring Abiku from Baltimore, and locals Bavab Bavab and BoorBaar. Especially excited about this gig as I'll be bringing down a live drummer and my impossibly incredible chromatic electric kalimba. Without question, this has to be one of the coolest instruments on the planet; makes one really want to dance (wait a second, Will now writes music music you can dance to?). The Gallery is located @ 4306 Melrose Ave.
In other news located on the opposite vertical side of the Left Coast, newly transplanted Seattle resident Isaac Peachin and myself will finally release our longtime collaborative debut effort, Elephant Priests. Official release date is June 16th. This project is a bit of a departure from the kind of insanity I normally indulge in, with a much more ambient, psychedelic vibe. Featuring artwork by the amazing Gavin Wilson (who also contributed to stop:skronk:explode) and the ever progressive John Savage on Su-Ling, its a project I'm very proud to be a part of. The release will be posted and linked to downloads here on the official date.
Hope to see you in LA........or.......somewhere else.
4-11-09 >><< Chaos in Oakland, Regenmag interview, Lost Compound release
It's not enough that some poor kid gets executed by a complete moron at the Oakland Fruitvale BART station (just 2 blocks from where I currently live) on New Year's eve, but shortly afterwards 4 Oakland cops are gunned down by another moron sending the entire city into turmoil. And what does Oakland's mayor, a man who has publicly disgraced himself so many times I've lost count, do about all this? Absolutely nothing. As if the entire world wasn't already screwed up enough, its always nice to have a little bit more chaos to deal with in your own backyard.
*Sigh* Ah well, at least the sun is out.
Some new thingamagigs added here and there. The January Eat Concrete tour was a complete success with many good crowds, CD sales, and so many new faces that I lost track. Surprisingly, everything went over smoothly, and I've learned that even if you're traveling in a Renault, you can still fit plenty of gear into a relatively small space. New pics have been posted over at the Pictures page and a great new video of my BlipVert set at the Gaslab in Eindhoven is at the Videos page. Really nice visuals done by my now incredible overseas friend, Ro Lee. We're gonna try for a duet set at this year's 2009 ZXZW festival again in Holland.
The Lost Compound compilation with the BlipVert track, 'New Choomish,' is scheduled for a May release. I'll post it here when it arrives, and some copies will be available for sale. Exciting!
Many local gigs as of recent, including my April 4th 4 AM set at Mochipet's CD release party. This tops the list as the latest gig I've ever played. Coffee keeps the mojo going....
New reviews of 'stop:skronk:explode' posted at the Reviews page courtesy of Chain D.L.K. and graveconcerns.com. Check 'em out!
And finally, regenmag.com, an amazing webzine focusing on industrial, noise, and IDM music decided to feature yours truly as BlipVert in their Artist Spotlight section. Truly flattering this is, and it was one of the most enjoyable interviews I've done in awhile. Big thanks to everyone at regenmag.com and especially Matthew Johnson for his amazing work. The interview is posted at the Interviews page, and for the full-on version with pics, links to MP3's, and to buy discs go to regenmag.com and scroll down to the Artist Spotlight Section. You'll see a big picture of me screaming. That's the one! Link is here.
New album is coming along nicely, with some possible guest musicians on the horizon that might add their talents on such things as organ, drums, sax, and who knows what else! It's cominatcha!
1-19-09 >><< Eat Concrete Euro Blip-Trip, Future Comps/Gigs, Items of a 'Misc' Nature
Ya-hoo, its 2009! A brand new year, no jobs, no economy, no housing market, retirement savings have been eliminated, homeless shelters are filling up with families, millions still without health care, pointless wars rage on and on all over the world, criminal financiers are being carted off to jail (or escaping to their private island in a remote part of the Pacific), and to top it off, its spring weather in the middle of January thanks to global warming! What a great time to be alive...
As for myself, I'm going to respond to all of the chaos the best way I know how, with more chaos. Beginning January 30th the most massive Eat Concrete 'Bassfudge Powerscones' tour will commence in Amsterdam and spread out all over the Netherlands. The tour is mainly to support the release of gravity defying electronic trio Hermutt Lobby's new album (Bassfudge Powerscones). I have been asked to accompany the EC crew for a series of 5 concerts featuring Fre2k, Dimlite, DJ Pete Concrete, and amazing sand visuals by Vervue. Here's a little promo:
BlipVert will be featured on concerts at Occi in Amsterdam, Kultuurhuis in Arnhem, Gaslab in Eindhoven, Smart Project Space in Amsterdam, and WORM in Rotterdam. For precise locations visit the Eat Concrete website. Looking forward to a great tour!
In other news, I'll have a new single coming out on Lost Compound Records of Canada as part of a series of new compilations. A really amazing record label/collective that features some of the most punishing music I've heard in awhile (next to DTrash of course). 'New Choomish,' a quirky, alien-vocal infused pile of madness will be the featured BlipVert cut. I'll debuting this track along with a newly completed composition, 'Quantumbuster,' at some Bay Area hits in February and March such as the Godwaffle's afternoon Noise brunch and the Ivy Room. Details to follow. Both tunes are posted on the BlipVert myspace page.
As far as more 'misc.' items, I'm looking to hopefully have a new album finished by the summer. I've been doing nothing but sequestering myself in a small room in Oakland working my computer to death, with the occaisional pause to teach, eat, and drink cheap wine. This will be one of the most massive collections of material I've ever assembled. Tracks will be posted on the myspace page periodically. More albums as well are forthcoming with yours truly as producer, guitarist, and (ugh) vocalist! Cheers, and see you soon in Europe.