Spirals Dance Echoes from Benjamin Popp on Vimeo.
Cut-out annimation by B.Popp, Sound Design by Jeffrey Von Ragan 2010Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Talk about Experimental-Strange Instruments 11.7.2010 @ Grand Detour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO0uCeiZZI8
(SoundTable animation using found & homemade instruments for sound design).
We're enthused to announce the first SoundTable on Nov. 7th was well received! Thank you to all who contributed their time and thoughts in the demonstrations/discussion on unique & unusual instruments.
The night kicked off with a demonstration by Jeffrey Von Ragan. He exhibited how he created a sound track for an animation by Ben Popp. The homemade/found instruments utilized included: A nut necklace, raisin box whistle, coffee can cuica, and a Victorian Oscillator speaker (See link above).
(SoundTable animation using found & homemade instruments for sound design).
We're enthused to announce the first SoundTable on Nov. 7th was well received! Thank you to all who contributed their time and thoughts in the demonstrations/discussion on unique & unusual instruments.
The night kicked off with a demonstration by Jeffrey Von Ragan. He exhibited how he created a sound track for an animation by Ben Popp. The homemade/found instruments utilized included: A nut necklace, raisin box whistle, coffee can cuica, and a Victorian Oscillator speaker (See link above).
People in attendance talked about making instruments with glass (glass marimba), and a unique instrument called a Daxophone (a wooden bowed instrument). See link below...
Also demonstrated was the use of an old Digital 8 camera set on frame mode that was clicked every 3 seconds creating a fractured, stuttering visual and audio of an experimental band. It was strange, beautiful and compelling.
An important resource for luthieres and anyone interested in unusual, experimental intruments is Bart Hopkin's webstite:
http://www.windworld.com/
(unique instrument building- books, tools, Etc...)
Please stay posted for more SoundTable to come.
Next talk- minimalism!
An important resource for luthieres and anyone interested in unusual, experimental intruments is Bart Hopkin's webstite:
http://www.windworld.com/
(unique instrument building- books, tools, Etc...)
Please stay posted for more SoundTable to come.
Next talk- minimalism!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sound Table Nov 7th. @ Grand Detour
Keep posted for upcoming Sound Table discussions to be held monthly at Grand Detour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO0uCeiZZI8
Strange Sounds @ Grand Detour
WHATS THAT CRAZY SOUND?
After the substantial success of its Summer Screening Series, Grand Detour Experiments in New Media is continuing the momentum with The Sound Table, a monthly discussion group around issues and forms of experimental sound. Jeffrey Von Ragan, a local sound, film, and video artist as well as a Summer Screening Series participant, will lead the Sound Table.
This first meeting will focus on the unintended use of a musical or non-musical device; creating noise/music on a device or component in which the resulting outcome was not originally intended. This could be considered a form of progress, manipulation or evolution. This creates a larger vocabulary in the process; in essence, extending “syllables” to create a new language. Albert Ayler and John Zorn achieved this with the extremes of their saxophone playing, as did Raymond Scott in his exploration of electronics. Noise and sound can be made out of unconventional instruments as well. One major and obvious device is the art of DJing and scratching records on a turntable. Electronic hacking, circuit-bending and the use of household items such as PVC Pipe, kitchen utensils, balloons, creaking chairs, etc. will also be explored. And of course, one can’t forget the importance of field recordings, samples and the infinite possibility of their manipulation in the post-production phase. This discussion is an invitation for anyone interested in the “out there” creation of sound and music. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring homemade instruments or recordings of unusual instruments or devices.
7pm-9pm
Sunday Nov. 7th
Coming December:
Grand Detour founder, Dustin Zemel, will give a presentation on Minimalism... Keep posted for more info to come!
Check out: http://grand-detour.org
Or email for info & upcoming dates:
jvonragan@gmail.com
Grand Detour
215 SE Morrison
Suite 2020, PDX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO0uCeiZZI8
Strange Sounds @ Grand Detour
WHATS THAT CRAZY SOUND?
After the substantial success of its Summer Screening Series, Grand Detour Experiments in New Media is continuing the momentum with The Sound Table, a monthly discussion group around issues and forms of experimental sound. Jeffrey Von Ragan, a local sound, film, and video artist as well as a Summer Screening Series participant, will lead the Sound Table.
This first meeting will focus on the unintended use of a musical or non-musical device; creating noise/music on a device or component in which the resulting outcome was not originally intended. This could be considered a form of progress, manipulation or evolution. This creates a larger vocabulary in the process; in essence, extending “syllables” to create a new language. Albert Ayler and John Zorn achieved this with the extremes of their saxophone playing, as did Raymond Scott in his exploration of electronics. Noise and sound can be made out of unconventional instruments as well. One major and obvious device is the art of DJing and scratching records on a turntable. Electronic hacking, circuit-bending and the use of household items such as PVC Pipe, kitchen utensils, balloons, creaking chairs, etc. will also be explored. And of course, one can’t forget the importance of field recordings, samples and the infinite possibility of their manipulation in the post-production phase. This discussion is an invitation for anyone interested in the “out there” creation of sound and music. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring homemade instruments or recordings of unusual instruments or devices.
7pm-9pm
Sunday Nov. 7th
Coming December:
Grand Detour founder, Dustin Zemel, will give a presentation on Minimalism... Keep posted for more info to come!
Check out: http://grand-detour.org
Or email for info & upcoming dates:
jvonragan@gmail.com
Grand Detour
215 SE Morrison
Suite 2020, PDX
Monday, June 21, 2010
Early Films by Von Ragan @ Grand Detour
Grey Matter Curves: Early Films by Jeffrey Von Ragan 1993-2006
Date: Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Grand Detour Experiments in New Media
Street: 215 SE Morrison, Suite 2020
City/Town: Portland, OR
Description
Jeffrey Von Ragan is a writer, musician, artist and filmmaker. His first film “Forbidden Fruit” aired on CBS, New Music Now, in 1993. The same year he was featured in Film Threat Magazine. He is the recipient of the James Broughton Film Award from San Francisco Art Institute. Jeffrey is the founder of the local film showcase “Group Projection” in Minneapolis and San Francisco. His films are known for their engaging soundtracks and evocative, memory-laden imagery. He currently lives in Portland, Oregon.
The "Three Grey-Matter Curves Trilogy"
Forbidden Fruit:
Like most emerging filmmakers dealing with bad taste, I thought it might be shocking... But hoped beautiful at the same time. Themes: Water/Grapefruit/Phallus...
B&W/S8
Sound: Jeremy Ragan & JVR
1993
Pill-Aged Mind:
A misunderstood young boy (Jimmy) is confronted with visions that Dr. Harnonious wishes to contain. Jimmy becomes a scientist, finds the equation to God, and marries a Mermaid...
B&W/Color/16mm
Sound by: Clayton Kennedy & JVR
1997
Rape of the Attic:
A short ditty about vanity. B&W/Color/S8/16mm
Sound by: Nathan Verrill & JVR
1999
BiHuvud (not a part of the trilogy)
Shot in Coney Island during a blizzard. Stark landscape, woman in solitude...
Color/B&W/miniDV/S8
Sound by: JVR
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
mothlights
'mothlights' landed its first show Feb. 5th @ Rocco's Bar in downtown PDX, like a 747 hit by lightning, it was also mothlights last gig... They lived like a ferocious nat buzzing their short lived ditty with abandon.
The members were:
Ben P. Bass
Brian Y. GTR
Jonanthan E. GTR
JVR. DRMS/VOX
To hear mothlights visit: www.myspace.com/bandofmothlights
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