Trees Like Torches

"Trees Like Torches" is the second compilation from Electronic Musik. It includes exclusive tracks from Eddie Prevost and Daniel Weaver, as well as material from John Kannenberg, JM Pinto, Vivahead, Paul Burnell with LDT and Walter Cianciusi.

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Daniel Weaver

My current solo set up incorporates live sampling techniques - where sounds from the cello can be taken as they happen and transformed before your ears . The process is transparent and works well as a visual concert , unlike a lot of electronic music . The live element has always been important to me and I approach a concert very differently to a recording , inviting the audience in through what they see , to a greater enjoyment of what they hear .

I like to suggest that my music is characterised by its investigative nature .

I have always enjoyed playing solo and entertaining with unexpected music . I played for some years as a regular soloist and accompanist to randomly hacked up films in noisy psychadelic CLUB DOG , a kind of outdoor festival , indoors (complete with multiple stages ,and dogs .) There I was required to play improvised film soundtracks or switch into cabaret as films changed or broke . The confused environment often requiring drastic behaviour to hold the attention of the bewildered revellers . Functional thinking had sometimes to switch to proactive . Requiring an impromptu song or grotesque clowning .

As a frequent accompanist/composer in the theatre as well as a sometime performer , I am comitted to the idea of functional music , where perhaps neither the musician nor the actor/dancer is the centre of attention . Where a performance is made of many elements and the audience may choose where to focus .

Similarly , I have recently played long solos at art openings requiring an inquisitive background sound that sustains the passive observer and rewards the listener . For these I sometimes use a simple quadraphonic system which constantly shifts sounds around the space and works well at a low volume . This music is abstract and discreet , because I am not the focus of attention . Yet it has integrity and bears the scrutiny of closer listening .

Contact daniel weaver at alectro_ecoustic@hotmail.com

( taken from Dans website with kind permission )

The track presented on this compilation entitled "Hated Nightfall" was recorded live at the Cornerhouse, Manchester in June 2001

Eddie Prevost

Photograph by Mike Hu / used with kind permission

A drummer combining sensitivity and strength in equal quantities. Some of his touches, as delicate as thistledown, hung suspended in the silence that preceded the warm applause.”
The Scotsman (UK)

“Freely improvised extremity from Prévost, a drummer who knows the value of silent spaces, but who also has a killer size Japanese Kodo- type skin-beast for when he feels like brain-haemorrhaging volume attacks.”
What’s On Birmingham (UK)

“Prevost’s playing confirmed that he remains one of the subtlest and most intelligent of free drummers. “
The Guardian (UK)


Of his first solo CD Loci of Change -Sound and Sensibility :

“It’s a joy to hear him bow cymbals, hit his kit and bring forth thunder from his beloved barrel drum, a home made instruments that gives Prévost almost Harry Partch status.”
The Wire (U.K.)

“Loci of Change opens with one of the richest sounds in modern music, the sound of Eddie Prévost scraping. From there the album opens into a riot of precisely coloured percussion in which Prévost’s arsenal of techniques is given full rein.”
Resonance (U.K.)

( The above was taken from the Matchless website with kind permission )

PAUL BURNELL

GENERAL

Born 1960, Ystrad, Rhondda, South Wales. Studied music at Dartington College of Arts, Exeter University, Royal Holloway College and Roehampton Institue of Higher Education. After working at the BBC and the MCPS (Mechanical Copyright Protection Society) Paul turned to composition in 1993. He has a particular interest in writing for amateur musicians and was co-ordinator for the COMA (contemporary music-making for amateurs) London Ensemble 1996-1998. Performances of Paul's work include those by the Black Dyke Mills band, Pipers Three oboe trio, Reed On! oboe trio, Paul Ayres (organ), Jeanette Hajncl (recorder) and various COMA ensembles throughout the UK (especially the vocal piece 'From Blake's Milton'). 1999 saw the development of 'Musical Squares' - compositions and arrangements presented on the moveable tiles of small plastic puzzle trays (two of which were performed by the French ensemble 'Decadanse' in May 2000). In July 2000 Paul was selected as a finalist in the BBC Talent Composers Competition with his tape piece 'Leaving the Party on Pluto'. His piece 'Four Minutes - Four Daydreams' was recorded in October 2000 for inclusion in The London Forum Composers Group "New Music for the Millenium" - a pack with scores, parts and a CD recording which is available to schools, adult education centres and amateur groups throughout the country. Performed 'Vitus' (oboe and tape) as part of the 'SAN/Sonorities' Festival in Belfast in 2001. Reached finals of the 2001 Craig Hultgren Solo Cello Works Biennial with three performances in the US of 'Sul' on electric cello. In 2001 or 2002, the London COMA Ensemble will premiere 'Prophecy By Numbers' - a piece 'mentored' by Michael Finnissy.

FIRST PERFORMANCES

Oboe Sonatina - Paul Burnell (oboe), Jeremy Davis (piano) 1994 // Migration - Eltham flute quartet 1995 // From Blake's 'Milton' - COMA ensembles in London, Nottingham, Bath, Brighton etc, 1996 - 2001 // Two Postcards, One View - Black Dyke Mills Brass Band (SPNM workshop) 1996 On The Ice - Paul Burnell (oboe), Patsy Moore (piano) 1997 // Unicycle I - London Chamber Group 1997 // The Weird Sisters - London Chamber Group 1997 // A Motion and a Spirit - Paul Ayres (organ) 1998 // Unicycle 2 - London Chamber Group and Morley College Opera members 1998 // Pressure Cooking - Cornelius Cardew Ensemble 1998 // Ophelia's Last Song - Sarah Marrion 1998 // 3 Oboes Dancing - Pipers 3 (oboe trio) 1998 // Slight of Hand - J Owens & J Egan (electronic keyboard) Wade Deacon High School 1999 // Vitus - Jeanette Hajncl (recorder ,tape, piano) 2000 // Just Keep It To Yourself - South West COMA Ensemble (piano trio) 2000 // Speak Your Mind - Compromise-Barter - Trust - London COMA Ensemble (wind quintet) - 2000 // Is That You? (or is it just me?) - Paul Burnell (oboe and tape) - 2000 // Four Minutes-Four Daydreams - COMA Ensemble - 2000 // All the Same - COMA Ensemble 2001 // Sul - Craig Hultgren 2001

RECORDINGS

'The Time Has Come' - Network Vol 2 - Discus label 1995 // 'Passacaglia on themes of Joanne Johnson' (joint composition) - Passacaglia (Paul Ayres, organ) - Fand label 1998 // 'Jingles Vol 6' - Dennis label 1999 // 'Leaving the Party on Pluto' - Ipbo label 2001

( Taken from Pauls website with kind permission )

The track presented here, "Angle Repoise", can be found in its original form ( Angle Poise ) on Pauls CD, "Leaving the Party on Pluto".
It has been remixed , reprocessed and retitled by Ian of LDT and will eventually appear on an album of further additional reworkings from the afore-mentioned CD.

Vivahead

Comprising two members of Psychiatric Challenge, Vivahead produce complex sound textures alongside compositional pieces drawing on diverse influeneces such as Faust, Derek Bailey, Messian, Stockhausen, Kurtag and Chas + Dave.
This track, " Seduction ", is taken from their first album, which is to be released on their own label later this year.
It draws heavily on cut and paste technology and layering of sounds giving the listener a disturbing , yet amusing experience.

Lewis Gill and Neil Packer realise all their material on a single laptop computer and hundreds of sheets of A4 paper using elements such as prime numbers and Pi to aid composition.

The duo already have enough material for a further two albums and are working on a major piece for string orchestra and percussion.

John Kannenberg

John Kannenberg (a.k.a. whistling pariah) has been performing and writing music for over ten years. After performing as a drummer in several bands, John eventually partnered with guitarist and painter Scott Kane to form the experimental improvisational duo Wireshock. Currently separated by distance, Scott and John occasionally record together using the telephone as a studio.

In 1999 John began work as a solo artist, using manipulated field recordings as the foundation for loop-based and generative compositions. His current work has strayed slightly from his early generative focus and has begun to incorporate more traditional linear elements, while still using field recordings and chance elements in the compositional process.

A fine artist and visual designer as well as a musician, John has exhibited several sound art installations in Chicago, including a recent performance with German sound artist Achim Wollsheid for his installation "communicating outsides" at the Outer Ear Festival of Sound 2001 in Chicago. His recorded work has been reviewed favorably in the UK magazine The Wire and several online music magazines.

( an extract fron Johns website, used with kind permission )

Walter Cianciusi

( Taken from Walters' Vitaminic website with kind permission )

JM Pinto

Portuguese guitarist producing delicate "touch" pieces ala Fred Frith but with a much more improvised feel.

Also a member of Ohmalone, a four piece improvisation group whose material is to soon to be released on the Electronic Musik label.

This piece, On:Off, is from a cd of unreleased guitar solos.

Track Listing

1. Daniel Weaver - Hated Nightfall

2. John Kannenberg - Submersible

3. Vivahead - Seduction

4. Eddie Prevost - Remembering III

5. JM Pinto - On : Off

6. Walter Cianciusi - Sovraprosizione

7. Paul Burnell / LDT - Angle Repoise

All artists retain individual copyright to their material.

Disclaimer

Electronic Musik accepts no responsibility for any copyright infringement from any of the pieces appearing on this compilation cdr "Trees Like Torches"

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