I am cool, by association!

As part of my efforts for Supersonic this year I am getting to work and perform with some great people. This is really inspiring, flattering and rather daunting! Here’s a little round-up of who I am working with and why that’s cool, and why that makes me cool by association, maybe.

The Saturday stats with me doing a performance and workshop, featuring myself in the morning and the super cool Dosh, or Martin Luther King Chavez Dosh it seems, in the afternoon. Dosh is a multi-instrumentalist who uses loopers to layer really great tunes live. I’ve never seen him live myself but I’ve admired his work from afar for a while. Cool stuff, check it:

Then, on to my Noise Box workshop. I have been working with the super cool and always enthusiastic Dr. Kate Sugden of Aston Uni on the design of the updated Noise Box. She’s also kindly helping out on the day!

So far, so good…a talented musician and a scientist!

Lastly on the Saturday, I have been asked by Andrew Moscardo-Parker (of Einstellung fame) to be part of the Lash Frenzy Big Band vs KK NULL. I first met Andrew when I supported Melt Banana last year. Lash Frenzy were supporting too. They are noisy bastards and this incarnation will be no different. As well as having a lot of love for Andrew and Einstellung I am also super chuffed to be playing with / against the mighty KK NULL. Here are a couple of videos showing how cool they both are:

Finally, on the Sunday afternoon, when I perform Steve Reich’s Pendulum Music for torch and Optical Theremin I will be joined by the amazing (and cool) percussionist Joe Snape. I only found this out today. Well chuffed! Check his shit out:

Obviously being involved in Supersonic to the degree I am is pretty damn cool in itself but having the opportunity to work and perform with such a lot of cool people is a real honour! Frankly, whether it makes me cool by association or not is of no consequence to me. I am just going to enjoy the experience!

Supersonic Sam

With my workshop and midi-octopus performance at the British Science Festival complete I thought I’d update you on what’s next >> Supersonic!

Yep, it’s official, Supersonic 2010 will see me rushing around like a fookin mad man!

Saturday kicks off with me doing Big Sounds for Little People at the mac. Then I will be rushing over to VIVID to run a workshop to build Supersonic Noise Boxes on the Saturday afternoon. Then a brief rest before playing tuba in a gimp mask on the Saturday evening as part of the Lash Frenzy Big Band (with KK NULL). Finally, on the Sunday I will be performing a specially adapted version of Steve Reich’s Pendulum Music, for four Supersonic Noise Boxes and four torches.

That is a pretty full-on schedule and one I am very proud to have been asked to deliver! Nietzsche would agree that if it doesn’t kill me it will certainly be very cool ;)

Thanks to Andrew Moscardo-Parker for offering me a part in the Lash Frenzy Big Band, Richard Hawley and his friend who owns a tuba for sorting me out with that, and of course Capsule for allowing me to do all this wicked stuff.

Before all this kicks off though, I am going on HOLIDAY!! See you on the other side.

Modified Toy Orchestra


I went to see the Modified Toy Orchestra on Wednesday night at the Town Hall, Birmingham. I felt compelled to write a few words.

Despite my interest in circuit bending and electronic music I had only heard of the Modified Toy Orchestra prior to my time in Brum. My interest was sparked further when it became clear that they attract nothing short of hero status in Birmingham, so I dug a bit deeper. Everything I read and heard built my interest, although I must confess to initially, slightly jealously, pondering what the big deal was. It was just a bit of circuit bending, right? WRONG!

The Modified Toy Orchestra does two things very well. Firstly, they take circuit bent instruments and toys and make great live music with them. That’s not easy. Making interesting noises is one thing, using them in tunes in the studio another but creating fully fledged compositions and an immersive live show is something far above and beyond that. Secondly, they do FUN. I was like a child; reminded of the time my grandparents took me to a Shakin’ Stevens gig in Leicester, where I nearly broke the seat. OK, I wasn’t jumping up and down this time, well, I was on the inside! Personally, I think fun is underrated in music / art. I try to add a big dollop of fun into most of the stuff I do. Glatze especially has a balls-out, fun-at-all-costs mentality, which I know isn’t everyone’s cuppa. I would warn anyone who doesn’t like having fun to avoid the Modified Toy Orchestra.

Ooh, I just thought of one last thing, Brian Duffy has a charming stage presence which shines throughout their performances! Big up Brian, the Modified Toy Orchestra and Capsule for finally bringing them home.