Sonic Graffiti at Monomania

When Brother Bear posted a video of one of my Sonic Graffiti pieces installed in Cambridge as part of Monomania, I was reminded of how much I enjoyed making them and how I should probably share some pictures.

Here is the video:


 
 

And here are some pictures:
 
I like to ride my bicycle
I Like To Ride My Bicycle – acoustic Sonic Graffiti piece
 
 
Message recorder
Message Recorder – listen first, then leave a message for the next person
 
 
Message recorder - response
Message Recorder – reaction [an actual real, unsolicited one]
 
 
Dual-oscillator synth
Dual-oscillator synth – cemented into a wall
 
 
Bent
Player – a circuit-bent, game controller audio player
 
 
HONK
HONK! – an optical synth with an acoustic amplifier
 
 
Active Listening instruction
Active Listening instruction – amazing sounds from overhead cables transmitted through post
 
 

What would happen if I presented a Late Junction?

When Verity Sharp left Late Junction I got very close to recording a “Guest Mix”, as an experiment in What would happen if I presented a Late Junction? I was really just hoping that some good would come out of this situation. Maybe a renewed enthusiasm to explore who presents the show. Possibly even regular guest mixes!

Then, last week, Mara Carlyle hosted a week of shows. This was a revelation. I found her shows really exciting and it made me think hard again about why I hold Late Junction so dear. I realised that most of all it was the enthusiasm and commitment of the presenters to their bit of the musical world; to what makes them tick. So this time I carried out the experiment…and here it is:

What would happen if I presented a Late Junction? by Mrunderwood on Mixcloud

[Rather embarrassingly I messed up the URL. You can use this link if you want to share it without an error. DOH!]

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I realise this might be a bit of an odd thing to do and there are probably a few errors too [beyond the mix URL]; both technically and in the information but it was just an experiment. Think of it as a bonus fourth Late Junction, for one week only. Oh and granted some of my commentary may sound more like Mixing It than Late Junction but I am cool with that. I think it gets better as the show progresses too…t is my first ever Late Junction after all ;)

I welcome any comments.

Please buy any of the music you like. I have detailed the artist and track names in the Mixcloud tracklist.

Theremin Day

Just a quick announcement and some further information on my upcoming event Theremin Day – 24th April 2010.

I am delighted to be able to work in association with the fizzPOP crew, to deliver both a daytime workshop and an evening of music, all with a Theremin theme. The day is split in two with an afternoon workshop in which you can build your own Optical Theremin, and an evening of live Theremin performances. While tickets last, you can attend either or both! Let’s start with the evening event…

DO NOT TOUCH – An evening of Theremin Live Performances

A special evening of audio/visual delights, based around the Theremin theme. The highlights are:

Ms Hypnotique
This is an opportunity to see one of the nation’s most renowned Theremin players. She has trained with Lydia Kavina, the grand-niece of Leon Theremin, and performs in many genres from classical to surf-rock to industrial. She has given numerous performances and recordings for artists including Bob Moog, Damien Hirst and TV appearances include “James May’s 20th Century” and “New Paul O’Grady Show”. In 2009 she performed on the fourth plinth, Trafalgar Square, as part of Anthony Gormley’s “One and Other” project and in April 2010 she will perform at Ether Fest at Royal Festival Hall in a 20-piece Theremin orchestra.


Ms Hypnotique also features on one of my soon to be released “Romany-Surf-Step” tunes. I am very pleased she is coming to Birmingham for Theremin Day.

Listen to this!

Image: copyright Jason Knott 2002

Mr. Underwood & Friends
Yes, me! I’ll be doing a super rare performance of Steve Reich’s Pendulum Music, using four torches and four Optical Theremins (of the same kind made in the afternoon workshop). The performance will be in darkness and will peak in a cacophony of squealing sound.

Pete Ashton
Pete will be wowing us with his Thingamagoop (see video below) and some 8-bit sounds. He will also be collaborating with Ms Hypnotique and myself in an improv session.

+ a selection of other Theremin audio/visual delights

Do Not Touch – Build your own Optical Theremin Workshop

During the workshop, people will be able to make a 3 oscillator Optical Theremin, which makes noises like this, when light is shone on it:

[flv:/video/theremin.flv 524 294]
I will soon be adding a video showing the finished article, in a nice shiny box…

The event will take place on the 24th of April at The Edge, Cheapside, Birmingham. I am very grateful to fizzPOP and Friction Arts for supporting this event. All profits go to fizzPOP in order to help them go on to bigger and better things. Birmingham needs you!

I hope we can fill the place for this highly distinctive day of workshoping and live performance, Theremin Day.

Tickets are available here: Workshop – Sold Out! and here: Event Tickets

Further information is here: Workshop Details and here: Event Details