Both
Stephen Vitiello and Taylor Deupree are seasoned collaborators. Each new
collaboration is a new context, a new conversation and a unique
opportunity to learn. Vitiello has worked with musicians such as
Scanner, Steve Roden, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Machinefabriek. As an artist
often represented in galleries and large scale sound installations he
has also had the frequent opportunity to work with visual artists from
the likes of Tony Oursler to Julie Mehretu and Joan Jonas. Deupree has a
long history of collaboration including early works with Christopher
Willits and Richard Chartier as well as Marcus Fischer, Ryuichi
Sakamoto, and Bon Iver’s S. Carey. Fridman Variations is Vitiello and
Deupree’s third release together and continues their tradition of
exploring their unique form of experimental improvisation.
Stemming from a live performance at NYC’s Fridman Gallery, Fridman
Variations was co-produced by the gallery and will remain as part of the
gallery’s publications. Fridman Gallery is a visual exhibition space
that also boasts a unique dedication to experimental music through their
annual New Ear Festival, at which Vitiello and Deupree performed and
recorded the main piece for this album.
Side A of Fridman Variations is the live recording, edited for vinyl
while side B contains two pieces made with some of the same source
material as the live performance and intended to be related, but
entirely new, works. Guitar, modular synthesizer and a small tape
synthesizer are at the heart of these songs. The improved layers draw on
buried melodies and hint of field recordings and found textures. Not
overly melodic, not overly noisy, Vitiello and Deupree like to find the
edge between the pretty and the obscure, often suggesting more than
laying their intentions bare. This type of sound is one that the duo
often explores as an opportunity for Deupree to adventure beyond his
melodic comfort zone and for Vitiello to work and experiment with new
instruments and how they interact with his signature guitar.
One of the biggest inspirations to the artists for this work was the
hushed and dreamy state of the audience during the performance. The
late-night ambience added to the immersive quality of the surround
speakers and helped to channel creativity and a sense of sharing.
Both artists feel that recording live performances is an opportunity to
capture a unique moment that simply won’t happen again. Despite a
performance’s flaws or imperfections the energy and interaction is a
special moment in time for the performers and audience. The opportunity
to not only document it for the listeners who were present but also to
be able to share the moment with those who weren’t there is a positive
one. To further be able to expand on the ideas in the controlled studio
environment serves to enrich the experience and further the
communication.
Fridman Variations by Stephen Vitiello & Taylor Deupree
24 Wednesday Apr 2019
Posted in Ambient, Experimental
Not for the Audiologically Squeamish!
