Supersonic 2011 - Diary / Review, by Mr.Underwood

Here we go again, a Supersonic diary / review by yours truly. Still only my third year attending but once again I was delighted to perform, present my work and experience the festival. This is how events unfolded...

Friday

My dad arrived late afternoon and immediately had a beer. I let my dad do my drinking for me, as I had plenty to get through over the weekend. Nice to have his (drunken) company throughout.

My festival started early, with a tour of my Sonic Graffiti project, setting out from VIVID at 8pm. This was well attended and we ended on my favourite piece, which I plan to leave in situ and see how long it lasts. Callie took some photographs of people experiencing two of the pieces over the weekend, some going to extraordinary lengths to do so. I've popped these at the bottom of this diary for you to check out.

The start of Friday musically was a bit mash up. I caught some Slabdragger, then alternated between Drumcunt and Part Chimp. The latter didn't do much for me but I had a big smile on my face because I knew Scotch Egg was coming up...and because I ALWAYS have a big smile on my face.

Part of the reason I wasn't paying as much attention to the music as possible is because I was bumping into the extended Supersonic family. So many lovely people attend each year and I was having a nice time catching up with them.

Scotch Egg was his usual manic fun self. A great laugh and nice to hear 8-bit through the massive rig in Boxxed. I got carried away with it and missed Mike Watt and the Missingmen, which is a shame as that was something I had planned to witness live. The one thing about Scotch Egg you can be sure of is that HE'LL BE BACK, so slightly duff planning on my part...

A bit of Cloaks on THAT sound system before heading over to see Secret Chiefs 3 in Space 2.

Secret Chiefs 3 were my top tip for the festival and to my ears they didn't disappoint! They seemed to have a tighter (yet quieter) sound than anyone I had heard to that point. They tore straight into their set in their usual elaborate, heavy and highly accomplished manner. Trey Spruance was like a cross between Tigger and Zebedee, jumping up and down and around and around. The only hint that they were in fact human came when he trod on his guitar cable. Otherwise it seemed like they'd been born playing together. They did two encores, which whilst amazing did possibly extend the set a little too far but mainly because I was overwhelmed by that point.

Afterwards, I had planned to witness Scorn in Boxxed, as I knew he'd blow the roof off the joint but I just didn't want to hear anything else at that point! Like Scotch Egg, Scorn will be back. I sat outside with my head in my hands for a while after, smiling the broadest smile. I gave and received the biggest hug from their bass player and one from Trey Spruance.

A great end to day one. I often go a bit mad on Supersonic Friday but at my age getting twatted on Friday can leave me feeling less than ideal on Sunday and we had an important gig to deliver! Home, bed.

Saturday

A nice lie in and a fry up at the Golden Coin Café, then onwards to Digbeth.

Yet again bands at the start of proceedings were a bit of a blur. I would make a shit reviewer because I just slip into this "go with the flow / don't worry about who is on" mode for prolonged periods at festivals.

I remember I did catch a bit of Othodox. They didn't sound anything like the description in the programme, which just confused me.

The first act on Saturday that really made me snap out of my haze was Agathe Max. A delightful and intoxicating mix of violin, loops and drones. It worked really well, although I was slightly struck by the constraints of performing solo. I've just realised the benefits of collaboration myself and avoiding the use of sampled backing is one of them. Cool stuff though!

Next we popped into the Theatre Space for a bit of a film, and a nosey at where we would be playing the following day. I knew the space but Stuart was unfamiliar with it so we just spent some time in there gathering ourselves...and enjoying the film.

Kogumaza were a known known to me, as I used to live in Nottingham. They always show their faces at interesting events, so it was like seeing three people I see everywhere but this time on stage. Some of this I really liked but I was already starting to get a little jaded by lengthy kraut / drone style performances. I felt they needed a bit more of something going on but I am not sure what. The drummer was exciting!

Next some nice food with my dad and missus. I was enjoying doing the family thing a bit too much and forgot about the ace bands that were on. DOH!

After dinner, Klaus Kinski in the Old Library. My plan had always been to split my time between Klaus Kinski and Electric Wizard. In many ways I wish I hadn't. Electric Wizard were cool, if a little unremarkable...but from most reports, Klaus Kinski REALLY kicked off after I left. Here's some photographic evidence. I guess I should've expected this, partly because of their reputation and partly because one of their drummers had already launched himself headlong into the small crowd, knocking a few people flying! They are damn good value.

Time to head over to the Theatre Space. Whilst waiting outside I bumped into John Richards and Stuart (Asmo) of Dirty Electronics fame. I was gutted to have missed their Mute Synth performance. It's an exciting beast that Mute Synth. Check it out here.

I was being a really good boy on the Saturday. No booze and an early night. The last act I saw Alexander Tucker. His voice was delightful and his sound was too. As for his odd suit and glowy eyes, I am not sure. A nice end to Saturday proceeding but mainly I was excited for tomorrow.

Sunday

The day starts very early, as I find myself tossing and turning in bed. I didn't feel stressed before going to bed or much when performing but for some reason I had a terrible night. No surprise I guess, seeing as I had spent 9 months preparing for the moment that lay ahead. I had learnt tuba from scratch due to an idea discussed in a pub with Ben Waddington, and loosely tested at Supersonic 2010.

Today was ORE day. Our debut gig in the Theatre Space at 2:15pm. We arrived early to get set up and sound check. Everything went well in the run up, except I struggled a bit with setting up the recorder, resulting in a less than ideal outcome on that front.

2 o'clock came and people started to come in. We assumed our positions and started a long droney intro, breathing through our tubas to heighten the atmosphere. 2:15pm and we were off. We blasted through our 30 minute doom-laden set. We both had a wobble or two during the set. My most notable one being about halfway through when my stamina briefly let me down...but in the end our hard work paid off. We were greeted with warm and appreciative applause as the last drone faded out. This was a real triumph for us. A marker had been set from which all things ORE could develop. We have grand plans.

We've had nice things written about our performance in a couple of Supersonic reviews: ATTN / TLOBF

After the gig my girlfriend, who missed us due to the queue outside, kindly took all our kit home, leaving us to enjoy some music. I was particularly keen not to miss Pekko Kappi. He was a delight to behold. I never did fully understand his Karelian bowed lyre but to be honest I didn't think about it for too long as I was enchanted by his sound.

Next up, Mike Hurley Ensemble, which I believe was made up of members of Birmingham Improvisers Orchestra (BIO). A stunning performance. Nice form and poise to the pieces and some great musicianship. At one point my dad turned to me and said "Do you really like this?", I answered "Yes, it's great", he replied "You used to hate stuff like this when I played it when you were young". True. Next thing I need to "get" is classical music...

By this point I have a pint in my hand and I'm a happy bunny. One of the things to mention about Supersonic is that the staff, security and clientele are ALWAYS bob on! Just hanging around the place is a pleasure. More smiling!

I'm sorry to have missed Modulate. I wanted to see them. In fact I wanted to see everyone but I had to eat. So, once again I got distracted by food and the company I was keeping. The next thing I caught then end of was Barn Owl. Can't say I heard enough to pass a judgement.

Over to Boxxed for Iconaclass. I can't say I had high hopes. I've never really understood why Dälek do so well. I mean, they are perfectly passable but nothing exceptional to me. I stayed for a bit to hear him give it stick through the Boxxed sound system, then back to Space 2 for Tony Conrad.

This I really wanted to like. Unfortunately, I couldn't particularly get into it. Again, to me it sounded like someone who would benefit from playing with someone else. Obviously he has in the past but in this incarnation it was him, his violin, some other instruments (including a bass banjo type thing) and a looper. It felt like he struggled to keep on top of all these elements. There was a lack of dynamics and even self-awareness at times. For me Agathe Max shone far brighter in this sort of realm.

I had to leave Conrad early to go to VIVID to see whether there was anyone there to go on my Sunday Sonic Graffiti tour. I got set up ready but nobody came. I am not surprised, nor was I disappointed. I wanted to get back to the bands ;)

Next up, Fire! with Oren Ambachi. I like Oren and Mats Gustafsson is amazing too. We encountered our first one-in-one-out queue outside this and could hear what was coming up sounded great. As we entered we experienced the full sound created by these fantastic musicians. I liked the role Oren fulfilled too, adding a certain freaky edge to the sound. The riffs in the last track didn't excite me as much as the others but overall I thoroughly enjoyed this.

A break, a sit down, much needed before any Alva Noto gig! I headed over to Andrew Moscardo-Parker's (and others) "Velzuvial" at Eastside Projects. When I got there I was greeted by a lush drone. By that point many players of the piece had been performing for over 20 hours. Andrew looked tired but friendly and enthusiastic as ever. He gestured to me to pick up a guitar. I signalled that I was too tired to bother. Immediately after I did so I realised how silly that was, given how long they had been playing ;) Great stuff, as ever from Andrew. He's a real gem in the local scene and we've already had lunch together since to discuss world domination.

Back to Supersonic then...

We entered Boxxed for Alva Noto. I had already flagged the fact that Boxxed was basically set up to his spec. Wide screen, massive and detailed PA...this was going to be a thing of awe. I had said to Stuart beforehand that if he wants an introduction to electronic music, Alva Noto is as good a place as any to start. He didn't disappoint (except Stuart understandably found it too loud). It was classic Noto. Rich, intricate and powerful. All with synchronised visuals. Before long it was snowing black dust from the ceiling. The bass was crushing. You either like stuff at that intensity or you don't I guess. I felt cleansed.

Again I needed a break. I grabbed some food from the artist area and bumped into Alva Noto in there. Chatted with him briefly about Raster Norton and SND, whose logo I had spotted in his "logo tune". What a pleasant fella. Food was tops too!

Last up was Turbonegro. When I first saw the Turbojugend I was shit scared. Originating from Bavaria such things have me on high alert. From what I could tell in the end they were more gay biker than Hitler youth. Infinitely preferable. They certainly couldn't mosh. They were all right at the front and kept trying to lift each other up...failing miserably each time. They lifted one skinny chap but couldn't hold him, dropping him into the arms of the awaiting security at the front. Turbonegro didn't do it for me although they were a fun end to the festival. I preferred (marginally) the Elgar that was played after they left the stage ;)

After a brief, tired visit to the after party, I left.

The end

As ever I'd had a fantastic time. A fine selection of bands, a successful Sonic Graffiti Tour and an inspiring ORE debut. Add to that the lovely people there and it was just a great weekend. It's worth also mentioning that whilst I didn't drink loads the quality Purity Ales there was a real bonus again.

I am gutted to have missed what I missed. In particular I sucked at supporting local acts, artists and all round good eggs. I especially regret not having made it to the SoundKitchen and Birmingham Zine stuff. Sorry! I also missed spending less time than ususal with my festival pal Ben Waddington. I will make up for this...

Thank you Capsule for yet again bringing such loveliness to Birmingham. Thanks also for believing in Ore, I hope the reports back have been positive! It means so much to us to have been given this opportunity. We will do our best to make you proud.

Thanks to everyone that came to my stuff. That's why I do it!

Thanks Jenny, Lisa, Sarah, Sara, Laura, uh oh a list, fuck it...um, EVERYONE involved!! It means so much to have you making our lives better.

ROLL ON Supersonic 2012. 10 yeaaaaaaars!

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As promised above, some people enjoying my Sonic Graffiti.