Gebrauchsmusik Release!

Today marks the small, mostly unheralded digital release of "Gebrauchsmusik" the short collection of music I've written for dance over the last three years. Developed simultaneously with works by dancer Judie Clark and her students, these pieces represent an extremely wide sonic framework, from full electronic/keyboard pieces to electro-acoustic processing, solo piano (and sometimes clarinet) to (synthesized) ensemble pieces. The other thing they all have in common is being recorded very quickly, with the final leap from sketch to arrangement being made in the recording process, allowing some unfussed-with good ideas to slip through to the final product (as well as some outright glaring mistakes). I have learned a lot from the work done on these over the past few years, and I hope some of that comes across in this collection.

Check it out HERE, free to stream and download (although you have the option to donate if you wish.)

New EP, Opera Clips, Broadcloth Tour, Upcoming Shows

First off, I've decided to release an EP of some of the music I've composed for the dance classes I've worked for in the last 3 years. Titled "Gebrauchsmusik" after the German ideal of "utility music," or music that had both functional merit as well as artistic, one of the only things each of these pieces have in common is their intended use. Otherwise you find a range, from solo to studio "ensemble" pieces, from through-composed to fully improvised and various stages in between, from tonal to completely atonal. The other common thread is them all being recorded in a hurry, which provides for some wonderful accidents under pressure as well as a few glaring mistakes. But the short amount of time between inception and final draft forced me, while working, into some corners that I don't usually find myself in, which places these pieces between the cracks of all of my main focuses. I hope they provide some enjoyment, or at least insight. I'll be releasing this in early July.




Above are two clips from Sunday's performance of Red Giant in New Haven. Rhymes with Opera did a fine job interpreting the music and working with them last weekend was truly a blast and a privilege. The company got a nice multi-channel recording from the room, and I'll post some bits of that in a few weeks when it is available.

Broadcloth is on tour again VERY soon, this time heading South. I'm very excited for this run of shows. Check the sidebar for the information about each of the 7 tour dates, as well as info about our just-confirmed homecoming show in New Haven, at Intercambio on June 29.

Finally I've got a few odd shows coming up - this Friday, a long overdue An Historic duo show with Brian Slattery, at Greenwell Organic Coffee and Tea (6PM), Saturday and Sunday as part of the CitySeed Farmers Markets, as well as Saturday evening  as part of the Ideat Village Festival, all with Dr. Caterwauls. Check the sidebar for more info.

with Nina Nastasia at BAR

Once again a show has come up that I've forgot to post about on my blog (although in my defense I was added only a week ago...) If you're in New Haven, come to check out An Historic solo, my first set in awhile, opening for Nina Nastasia. This promises to be a fun show, and I've been itching to do more An Historic sets recently. The next after this is June 15th at Greenwell Organic Coffee and Tea in New Haven, duo with Brian Slattery.










 Also approaching, of note, is this date:
   Dr. Caterwaul's is opening for Secret Swing Society, from Amsterdam. They're a quality quartet, and we are definitely looking forward to that date, and returning to the Outer Space. 7:30, on June 11th.

Interview with Tri-Centric Orchestra Blog

This is probably the first actual written interview I've done, and what an honor that it comes from the Tri-Centric Orchestra's blog, which has provided interviews and information about various projects that members/affiliates of the Tri-Centric Orchestra are involved in. The Tri-Centric Orchestra is a large group devoted to performing the music of Anthony Braxton, and involves some incredibly talented musicians of extremely diverse backgrounds. Check the interview out HERE.

Opera Podcast

I recently recorded a tri-city podcast with George Lam and Ruby Fulton, co-artistic directors of Rhymes with Opera, who are premiering my opera "Red Giant" in just under two weeks. Have I mentioned how stoked I am for this? Yes? No? Some of that should come across in my babbling on this podcast. Check it out here!

a few upcoming things

on Tuesday, May 8th. I'll be joining Nathan Bontrager and Jonny Rodgers in accompanying Brian Francis Slattery in a reading from his latest, highly acclaimed novel Lost Everything.  The reading takes place at RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT. We'll be reprising this to some extent with the help of Michael Paolucci and Sarah Alden at WORD in Brooklyn, NY on May 17th. Very exciting stuff - watch Brian talk-sing his way through some really vivid passages from his novel (and in one case play the banjo at the same damn time!). It promises to be really exciting stuff.

on Saturday, may 12th, Dr. Caterwaul's (minus Nathan) will be performing at the New Haven Artwalk at 2:30. We'll be on the Central Ave stage (corner of Central Ave and Fountain St.).

And the next An Historic gig is scheduled for June 15th at Greenwell Organic Coffee and Tea, at 6PM. I'll be accompanied by Brian Slattery for this one, and it promises to be a bunch of fun.

Between that, the opera. Oh yeah. That thing.

Discography/Compositions section finally updated!

Now features the most current and complete list of compositions and updated links to all extant recordings, including the most recent Broadcloth and An Historic live releases, and some of the more recent session work.