PERFORMANCE
ENDLESS ROAR
The latest manifestation of my electroacoustic/art/noise/rock project, which takes the form of a semi-improvised performance synched with visuals. This concert was special -- I was joined by my old bandmate from Singapore, Kevin Ghosty, on baritone electric guitar. In this setting I play standard electric guitar, drums and live electronics.
It took place at Krogs Aptieka, in old town, Riga, Latvia on 9 Dec 2015.
The music is continuous, but is structured loosely around 6 passages as follows:
1. Organism - 01:00
2. Ghosts of Euphoria - 11:05
3. Magnetic North - 23:46
4. Ferrofluidity - 30:45
5. Forgotten Frontiers - 40:15
6. Re-entry - 49:35
Electroacoustic Art Noise Rock
Audio/Visual Electro-Acoustic Noise
UNEARTHED DUO
Please note the tracks listed on the left are tape parts to the live performance, videos of which are linked below.
The Riga-based electro-acoustic duo Arvydas Kazlauskas and Jachin Pousson is in essence an audio / visual performance which employs a ‘super-live’ dimension.
Arvydas, one of Latvia’s foremost saxophone players uses a combination of electronic devices which allows him to transform and loop the sounds of his baritone instrument in many surprising and interesting ways. Jachin, an emerging composer chooses the electric guitar in this setting to create delicate textures building up to waves of energetic pulses.
Thematically, the performance acts as a kind of hypnosis into a hyper dream state. Early performances were synchronized with visuals oscillating between slow motion cymatics / other natural phenomena and dream-like footage such as the motion of waves and wind, as well as flight.
In the past year, Arvydas and Jachin have combined these with other experimental methods including live interactive video projection at the recent video art festival “Waterpieces” which was a part of Rigas Svetki. This involved live superimposition of visuals back onto themselves in several layers using several projectors and cameras.
Ambient Drone Pop
TOYS IN THE WELL
The eclectic band Toys in the Well was first formed in 2009 in Odessa, Ukraine by Joel and Sofia Gabrielsson from Sweden, and Jachin Pousson from the USA. They came together to write and record a few songs using a humble assortment of musical instruments in the living room of an old communist housing block. Concerned with the condition of their future selves, they released an album entitled Letters to Ourselves When We Grow Up, that included a music video involving a snail costume and scenes of early Spring on the shores of the Black Sea.
Five years wiser, the members of Toys in the Well met in another Eastern European city – Riga, Latvia to record again.
The EP Now, Ok features four new tracks and a musically mature sound all traditionally recorded in the living room of a pre-war apartment block. Lyrically, Now, Ok, reflects upon paths taken since their last album, and some of life's big questions – the impermanence of all things, making plans in the face of uncertainty, and the unexpected turns and joys of life.
Now, Ok, can be described as primarily an electro-acoustic work with strands of post-rock, electronica and classical music sensibilities. It notes its influences as Efterklang, Mum and Sigur Ros.
Toys in the Well are currently based in Uppsala, Sweden and Riga, Latvia and are working on additional material for a full length album. They are available for local and international booking.
Music for Train Stations
Ambient Electronic
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