Generative Soundscape Radio

A Free Application For Listening To Continous Generative Soundscapes

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Isolation, by Eeem [eim]

Uncertain music for uncertain times.

Released October 13, 2018

z o n e _ 2

z o n e _ 2 | 80:17

Part 2 (of 3) of our current mini-series (link to zone 1); – blending Ambient chestnuts & modern day sonance into experimental soundscapes.

……………………Zone utilized: Downtown (interpolating ‘Scape K’ by Thomas Park)

01 Oophoi – Icelight
02 Elin – Klangriket
03 Still Earth – Signs
04 Justin Vanderburg – Infection
05 Klimek – The Ice Storm
06 Peter James+Disturbed Earth – A Descending Calm
07 Oophoi & Paul Vnuk, Jr. – South Field/Khyber (edit)
08 Steve Roach – Stars Begin (edit)
09 Lena – Interlude in Bright Light – pt 2
10 Peter James – Still
11 Robert Rich+Markus Reuter -We Will Walk Away Unscathed
12 Disturbed Earth – Ginger
13 Exuviae – Primitive Binary
14 Tony Levin, David Torn & Alan White – Sleeping Horse
15 Organic Urban Soundscapes – Downtown

Contemplation du Rien, by Mathieu Lamontagne & Emmanuel Toledo

The same guys were contemplating the void again, set apart from their time zones (Canada and Finland). There was nothing, no leftovers, stems or compositions, no pre-defined direction, only a new void, shimmering trails from our previous works; it was that time again, we were on a mission, united by a common goal. 

We formed something new and somehow valuable, starting to ‘fill that void’, and the usual back and forth process followed, once again; leading to “Contemplation du Rien” as it is now, the seventh chapter of our remote collaboration. 

Emmanuel Toledo  eeem.bandcamp.com

Released December 7, 2018 
All tracks by Mathieu and Emmanuel 
Cover art by Emmanuel

4 Compositions, by Ensemble D’Oscillateurs

[THE CRUX OF SONIC MATTER: A MUSIC FROM SINE WAVES]

When Nicolas Bernier first told me about the collection of old oscillators he had been accumulating for years, I wondered what kind of project would develop from it. It took years for these oscillators to find their place within Nicolas’ research. Accumulating quite a few of these instruments over the years, perhaps he realized that he could not play them all himself. Following the idea of curator and author Hans-Ulrich Obrist, who said “the connections and principles that produce a collection contain assumptions, juxtapositions, findings, experimental possibilities and associations. Collection-making, you could say, is a method of producing knowledge”: the Ensemble d’oscillateurs was born.

Much to my excitement, Nicolas approached me to assist him in making the whole thing possible: connecting the oscillators, designing practice exercises for performers to master their “instrument”, brainstorming staging possibilities for concerts, developing a method of notation for compositions, listing characteristics and parameters of each oscillator, and so on.

Back then, it was uncertain what sounds would come up of ten sine waves played by ten performers. The purity and simplicity of each signal, mixed with the imperfections of these old oscillators, led nonetheless to a level of complexity reachable by accumulation.

As the first composer who had the chance to compose for the ensemble, I had the chance to have the keys of the studio where the oscillators were kept. I spent hours there, alone, going back and forth between the oscillators, notating each adjustment, each manipulation, and imagining how one sine wave—one thin line—can become surrounded by a cluster of moving lines, when the oscillators are simultaneously being manipulated by multiple performers. The main challenge was to make this information readable by performers the same way a classical music score would. I managed to come up with a simple way of notating the limited available parameters, while notating the usable flaws in several oscillators that I wanted the performers to recreate.

The ensemble then began weekly rehearsals for what became its first “commission”. Experiencing the interpretation of my score, along with feedback from the performers, led me to improve the notation. During these rehearsals, the ensemble also improvised by following a guiding software that I was programming: this main section of the piece allowed them to improve their playing, forced to respond quickly to the events proposed by the software, enhancing their listening, with Nicolas controlling the mixing mixing desk onstage.

Following Nicolas’ interest in primitive technologies, history of electronic sound and the evolutions of its aesthetic, the Ensemble d’oscillateurs became a laboratory in search of a sine wave aesthetic: the ensemble took an interest in pieces from the repertoire (‘Jar Piece’ by Pauline Oliveros, 1966), but also in graphic scores (‘December 1952’ by Earle Brown, 1952; ‘SYN-Phon’ by Candas Sisman, 2013). The latter, which closes this album, was actually not written for one specific instrument. A collective work has been accomplished around the interpretation (literally) of the graphic notation: assigning a line to an oscillator, while some others are shaping the sound of a circle or quickly stepping in to give a sonic life to an array of connected dots.

“Listening” is the key word for the Ensemble oscillator. An absolute control of the musical material is not the primary goal. Performers are indeed guided by notation but due to its nature of purity and simplicity, an active listening is required. Just like in musique concrète, it is the matter that makes the music; the accumulation of this matter is the music. Forcing a deep listening—a heightened awareness of the sonic environment, significant to Pauline Oliveros’ work and theory—the listener will necessarily perceive micro-changes, subtleties, and fine details. Even if the music of the ensemble is more gestural than drone music, a strong link does exist in the way of absorbing this music made of non-extravagant musical matter.

With the aim to create a repertoire made specifically for the ensemble, to forge relationships between the new and the old, and to explore new ways to make music with these old devices, two more composers were invited to write music especially for the ensemble: Xavier Ménard and Francisco Meirino. This album consists of performances of three pieces custom-made for the Ensemble, and one arrangement of a graphic score.

Being part of the creation of the Ensemble d’oscillateurs and composing its first piece was as challenging as it was stimulating. I could only foresee its potential back then. The work the ensemble has accomplished since is already significant. Following Nicolas’ vision, the ensemble has had workshops with some important artists like singer/saxophonist/director Joane Hétu, experimental DJ Martin Tétrault, producer Jean-Patrice Rémillard, and stage director Sébastien David. And this is just the beginning as already a lot of new projects are on the go.

With many interesting research-creation productions on the horizon, this unusual ensemble is certainly an exciting musical act to be followed.

— Kevin Gironnay, July 2018

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Ballet, by FourColor

12k presents the digital-only release of FourColor’s “Ballet” which was originally released in 2015 as a limited-edition cassette on the Duenn label in Japan. 

“Ballet” is a departure from previous FourColor releases in that songwriter Keiichi Sugimoto (also one half of Minamo) steps away from the comfort zone he finds in guitar and explores a more percussive, yet musical sound. 

The tracks are decidedly more moody, darker and synthetic.

This album was released April 1, 2016

The Secret Soundscape Club

A free monthly audio dispatch for curious ears. Get one surprise mini soundscape a month, always under 2 minutes, always free.  

Direct streaming link sent to your inbox. Nothing to download, no faff. 

A little treat for your ears and your imagination, on the last day of every month.

Sign up: http://www.lacosapreziosa.net/the-secret-soundscape-club

TONUS Tribute, Part II

Happy 2019 everyone!

I hope this finds you well & ready to to take on the new year – may it bring out the best you have so that you may prosper & thrive!

I’ve been informed via internal email from our engineering staff that we have an impressive mix lineup ready to roll out this year, beginning with part 2 of what began as a 2 part mix (but is about to grow into a third installment) — an ‘e l e m e n t s‘ side project (and a blast to mix!).

Highly experimental, slightly caustic (in spots) & cutting-freakin’ edge . . .

Most all the compositions were w-a-y too long to be included on any mix – so they’re excerpted (x) with l-o-n-g fades, overlays & old-world, precision craftsmanship; rolling in @ 67:59 total running time.

We’ve been previewing tracks from several about-to-be-released TONUS projects; so, as stated, there will be a part 3 (of sorts). It will take a slightly different turn, mix-wise, than its predecessors – look for it sometime within the month of March (complete with its varied & multiple Ides).

…………………………………..#DinGloriousDin

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01 Brian Eno – Neroli (x)
02 Frieband – Emanate, Pt 2 (x)
03 TONUS – Texture II (x)
04 Dirk Serries – Celestial Perfume
05 TONUS – IV (x)
06 TONUS – Texture III (x)
07 Serries, Verhoeven & Webster – Cinepalace 2 (x)
08 Reto Bieri – Holliger, Contrechant – II
09 ::vtol:: – 12_262 (drill-bit edit)
.(a cool project itself, inspired by Soviet/Arctic deep-earth drilling)
10 Dirk Serries – Diffused Wire Appliance
11 Erik K. Skodvin – Corrin Den
12 Fantoom – Sluimer 1 (x)
13 Radian – Unje