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#contemporary music
paullorenz · 2 months
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Linear Stream, part 1, Prelude and Post-Modernism
Recorded live at the Evanston Art Center in Evanston, Illinois, on December 16, 2018, LINEAR STREAM was a three hour sound performance created by the sound ensemble, Perception Project.  For this performance, Perception Project included:
Paul Lorenz, graphite stick with microphone; C. Todd Birdsong, percussion and hand-made instruments; Douglas Owens, woodwinds; Carl J. LaMark, sound design
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sssleepylizard · 2 months
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So - this is a bit different. I'm working on writing an opera together with @strangesaturday which is based off of an idea for a Star Trek TNG fan fiction by @maid-of-the-golden-deer. We're in the process of getting it staged in London and the lovely organisation Help Musicians has decided to support this project with a grant. I apologise profusely that I made people look at my face instead of wonderful good-omens-related filth hehe : ) BUT we're hoping to get you all involved and - if you're near London - come and see the premiere in September this year! I don't know why "queer opera" isn't a tag yet - we're working on it!
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queercomposerkarlsson · 3 months
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My original composition Winter is finally up on Youtube!
This piece is dedicated to Willow and Hunter. More details can be found in my previous post.
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gxbtx · 23 days
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The Internet - A Retrospective on the Odd Future Splinter Project
In the early 2010s, Tyler Okonma, or ‘The Creator,’ banded together an experimental hip-hop group of young black artists, naming the group ‘Odd Future.’ While the brand is highly recognizable and respected in today’s world, it was not always this way. This new sound of black artists creating art tailored to the (at the time) dominantly white skate culture led the group to face the discrimination of being called ‘weird’ and ‘gay.’ However, this group persisted in committing to being themselves, serving as an incubation period for many reputable artists we know today. Tracks such as ‘Oldie’ and ‘White’ introduced many of the popular music artists in today’s musical landscape. Odd Future curated the talent for the likes of Tyler, The Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, and of course, Frank Ocean.
In 2011, OF members Syd ‘tha Kyd’ and Matt Martians ventured off to create the splinter project dubbed ‘The Internet,’ introducing their discography with the album “Purple Naked Ladies.” Two years later, “Feel Good” introduced Patrick Paige II as the bassist and Christopher Smith as the drummer, tailoring new elements to the foundational sound PNL created. In honing their signature style, they experimented with Raliegh Ritchie in a few remixes such as “Free Fall” and “Stronger than Ever.” Syd stepped up confidently to the role of lead singer, reaping the soothing vocals that represented her undeniable swagger; additionally, her assistance in engineering early 2010s albums such as Goblin by Tyler, the Creator, Doris by Earl Sweatshirt, and Ali by Mike G built up her reputation as a talented music engineer. Paired with Patrick’s admirable bass skills and Matt Martian’s dreamy keyboard presence, the band would come to put out projects establishing their contribution to the new sounds of R&B.
LOVE SONG - 1
This short, simple ballad of a break-up holds a steady beat throughout the piece, with a short verse delivered by Syd. Syd’s soft, yearnful analysis of the state of her affair represents a common struggle of figuring out when to give up on the relationship. What is uncommon about this piece is the signature dreamy keyboard harmony, notably introducing a signature element that would come to identify this new band in future projects to come.
STRONGER THAN EVER - THE INTERNET REMIX
In a remix of several tracks from the Game of Thrones actor Raliegh Ritchie, The Internet brings an electronic buzz to the table that electrifies the heartfelt lyrics of resilience. The echoing of every verse resonates with the notion that the hardships associated with the constant strive to succeed can feel like shouting into a tunnel that lacks a response. Towards the end, Ritchie raises his tone and intensity, reaching a breaking point of feeling lost and alone, revealing he is driven mad by the implication of no resolution. However, the melody, “I fall but when I rise I’ll be stronger than ever,” is repeated to remind him of his resilience that will allow him to persevere. I connect to this song as I too have felt the struggles of reaching success, and like the melody, I have to remind myself what I am capable of to drive myself to succeed.
In 2015, Steve Lacy joined the group as the leading guitarist, graduating high school that same year. Steve’s relationship with the strings represented an incredible symbol of talent, taking inspiration from artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Thundercat, and the Neptunes. Combining these elements into the artistry of The Internet led to the production of the critically acclaimed “Ego Death,” breaking through the R&B world with unheard combinations of funk, jazz, indie rock, and R&B. Tracks such as Get Away and Girl challenged the very idea of what R&B can offer, with Tyler’s feature at the end reminding us of the humble beginnings. Rightfully so, the album was nominated for Best Contemporary Urban Album in 2016, as well as winning two BET awards.
GET AWAY
Lowering the tone to a deep bass sound, this provocative track begins Ego Death with a new concept of what The Internet can produce. Syd’s lyrics make the track portray themes of ostentation, calling on her same-sex affairs to create a unique singing dynamic about a girl in the articulation of an R&B woman singer. The low and slow beat still contains those dreamy elements in every Internet song, with Steve Lacy strumming a soft and light riff during the melody. The bittersweet theme is found in the lyrics of using drugs to escape the worries of committing to a relationship and is reflected accordingly in the instrumentals.
SPECIAL AFFAIR
This irreverent track mimics the sounds of nature; the dark and tense motif continues the character of a heartbreaker embodied by Syd. Syd’s soothing confidence creates a comfortable environment for the listener, while the deep bass lines and light, dreamy elements of Steve Lacy’s riffs continue throughout the track. The lead singer’s presence endures privilege, as the lyrics signify that she’s purely interested in intimacy without feelings. This provocative piece uses the sounds of nature to enhance the track’s tenderness, serving as an excellent nocturnal sound to accompany night drives.
GIRL (w/ KAYTRANADA)
The Internet continues to provide impressive collaborations, as Kaytranada's role of electronic/house producer registers a mesmerizing track that pulses a vibe unheard of. Kaytranada’s trippy yet tender sound paired with Syd’s vocals creates a gentle presence that makes the listener feel at ease. The lully track serves as a testament to the themes of yearning Syd creates, which can be misleading as conceived in previous tracks. The pulsing of the guitar riff alternating in and out of the beat, along with the small balance of bass, comes together to form a contemporary jazz track that few can pull off.
PALACE/CURSE (w/ TYLER, the CREATOR)
Palace/Curse ends Ego Death on a chill note, with Tyler’s accompaniment creating a whimsical ode to the girl. In Palace, a crowd is present to create an atmosphere that gets the listener hyped as if they’re actually in the crowd. The metaphoric Palace Syd sings about refers to the idea of seducing someone into her life of luxury, in accordance to the theme of the album. Transitioning into the low and slow “Curse” creates a feeling of daze, allowing the daydreamy elements of this band to shine. In the repetition of Steve Lacy’s repeating melody, ‘Baby I’m under your curse,’ and Matt Martian’s hypnotizing keyboard element to end the album on a jazzy note, this track entails as the perfect wrap-up of the incredible work that is Ego Death.
In 2018, the band created their last studio album under the name The Internet, dubbed ‘Hive Mind.’ More coverage of talent that Steve Lacy obtained peeked through, allowing the development of a new audience for his solo career. Before the release of this album, several members put out their own solo projects, such as Stevy Lacy’s ‘Demos’ and Syd’s ‘Fin’, alluding to the direction the band would go after the album. This final album serves as a more conscious reflection on the growth of the members throughout the years and the effect that music had on the process.
LA DI DA
Launching with his groovy guitar riffs, La Di Da allows Steve Lacy to shine through his vocals on the melody. Elements of the band’s signature style persist throughout this track, with added elements of funk. The fresh sound transforms into a softer jazz improvisation with a saxophone ending the track.
IT GET’S BETTER (WITH TIME)
If you’ve ever heard the track from Lil Uzi Vert, ‘The Way Life Goes,’ you’ll definitely be reminded of the same message Uzi presented to the listener. This tender track uses a bendy guitar riff to interact with a steady foundation of percussion, to which Syd’s lyricism provides a hopeful message of healing through hard times. Syd’s higher register in this track creates a satisfying comfort to the intended audience and is accompanied by an unexpected conscious verse from ‘Big Rube.’ His message of ‘The easy path rarely leads to what the heart truly desires’ comments on the discomfort required towards the pursuit of happiness. The track ends with a sunny jazz background to accompany a story from bassist Patrick Paige, who ardently explains his struggle with alcoholism and how he persevered through what seemed like a never-ending battle.
Overall, The Internet left an impact on the R&B world leaving a lasting impression. The contemporary elements the unique members contributed honed a signature sound of lulling comfort accompanying passionate and tender lyricism. This splinter project created an outstanding representation of the talent Odd Future would end up making, shaping these artists to be highly respected members of the musical community. While the band may no longer be together, their core values of passion for music bleed through the discography of The Internet, leaving the listener with a concept of how we can use music to truly create an emotional atmosphere.
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spl884 · 25 days
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Omega_Patti
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abstrakshun · 9 months
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Helen Frankenthaler (American, 1928 - 2011)
Stella Polaris - 1990
more on abstrakshun
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Damon Albarn (British , b.1968)
Polaris [Albarn - Smith - Tong] - 2021
click here for YouTube video of live performance [still image above]
click here for official video [still image below]
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viola-ing · 8 months
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Hi there! I'm Katie, and I am a composer.
I am working on a commissioned piece that comments on involuntary psychiatric admission, focusing on the findings of the Rosenhan Experiment.
The piece is for violin & fixed media, and I am looking for folks to record themselves reading some excerpts from the experiment's article.
If you want to record & be a part of this piece, recordings are needed by Wednesday, August 23rd.
To find more information, please visit this Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rSTHSKT4J3LokMf8ivaHEbBlRBj68TBG3siHb-qDHgc/edit?usp=sharing
Thank you in advance!!
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sivavakkiyar · 10 months
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https://archive.org/details/zorn-john-ed.-arcana-v.-musicians-on-music-magic-mysticism/mode/2up
For centuries musicians have tapped into mysticism, magic and alchemy, embracing ritual, spell, incantation and prayer, and experimenting with esoteric approaches to harmony, pitch and vibration. In recent decades, avant-garde musicians have rediscovered these overlaps, as occultism has reinvented itself--through Buddhist and other Asian influences, Thelema and Chaos Magic--to accommodate cultural strains from psychedelica through Punk and Industrial music. 
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syrensblog · 2 years
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kelela.
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schibborasso · 1 year
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Steve Reich (in the 70s)
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paullorenz · 6 months
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Visual Training, part nine
One of my favorite videos from this series.  Reality is played with, or is it all a fantasy...
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w-armansky-blog · 2 years
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Sade, the healer of my soul: when the music serves as an effective remedy
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queercomposerkarlsson · 3 months
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This is by far my longest piece of 2023! The piece is inspired by the famous painting "The Garden of Eartly Delights" by Hieronymus Bosch.
It begins with the exterior which depicts the third day of creation in the Bible. When opened, the piece follows the panels from left to right.
The first panel takes place in paradise, where God presents Eve to Adam in a pristine landscape, meanwhile some weird-looking creatures roam the land.
On the second panel, the Fall of man has taken place, and all the people take part in lustfull activities with each other and animals, both natural and mythological.
The third panel - The Hell - is the result of humanity´s sinful behaviour. The city is burning, the river is frozen and naked souls are tortured by grotesque demons.
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gxbtx · 15 hours
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SiR's newest album HEAVY is pushing the boundaries of R&B in all the right ways (QT)
Today I was on a long shift at work. I had finally made it to my lunch, and I popped in the car and opened Spotify to see what was new. HEAVY by SiR pops up, a familiar name that previously got me through hard times. I immediately press play, experiencing an immersive episode of music that I hadn't expected.
The lyrics spoke doubtful thoughts I discern vividly, finding the perfect elements to pair with SiR's soulful voice. Combining aspects of guitar, bass, samples, and beats, SiR resounds his timbre into a fresh track. There were minimal skips and minimal misses with the features in the album. With surprise accompaniment from Anderson .Paak, Ab-Soul, and even Ty Dolla $ign, this track did not let me down with the combination of emotions merging into this sophisticated project. The pure, raw feeling felt through the speakers spoke directly to me, reminding me of my first time listening to Lahai by Sampha (see below for review!)
Going from what resembles a male SZA project in HEAVY to a shocking southern country folk song in SIX WHOLE DAYS, this album kept me on my toes for what came next. NO EVIL had genuinely one of the hardest beats I've heard this year, the bass absolutely shredding. IM NOT PERFECT was a dazy ode to admitting his troubles, which resonated deeply with me. KARMA was what sounded similar to JID's flow, bleeding the lyrics "It's a little late to save the old me, oh." SATISFACTION has a satisfying guitar riff over some of those lyrics that attracted me to SiR in the first place.
The album has its ups and downs, encompassing what a week frequently feels like for me. All the while, I forgot that the core genre was R&B. SiR's implementation of relaxing rock band, samples/beats, and even trumpets here and there, all combined to push what we consider R&B. This was a fresh album that left me content, reminding me of how I felt after Let's Start Here from Lil Yachty last year. Definitely recommend!
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spl884 · 3 months
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Music is the best
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