These Things

These Things from Benjamin Popp on Vimeo.

Film: Ben Popp, Sound Collage: Jeffrey Von Ragan

SoundTable @ Grand Detour Jan 2nd.2011 (Captain Beefheart/Frank Zappa)

SoundTable is a collective group of sound artists/musicians who meet monthly to discuss/demonstrate many topics pertaining to music/sound/noise- with an emphasis on the experimental. A place to explore interactively, stimulate creativity, make connections, foster collaborations in a laid back atmosphere.

New discussion leaders and topics every month. (If you would like to lead please email me: jvonragan@gmail.com

SoundTable meets the 1st Sunday of every month at 7pm.
Next discussion Jan. 2nd (Captain Beefheart/Frank Zappa!)

This discussion will pay homage to two giants of free thinking pioneers of creative music. Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart) passed away Dec. 17 of multiple sclerosis and Zappa would have been 70 this year. From early Doo-Wop to the pivotal "Trout Mask Replica" produced by Zappa, to Bongo Furry, we will follow the convoluted paths of these two original thinkers.

Grand Detour
Located at: 215 SE Morrison ; Suite 2020; Portland, OR

R.I.P. Captain, Heaven has their hands full! Don Van Vliet passed away December 17, 2010

Great SoundTable Presentation by Dustin Zemel, Robby Kraft

We're happy to say the presentation on minimalism by Dustin Zemel & Robby Kraft on Dec. 5th at Grand Detour was a success.

The evening began with Dustin performing a piece by Terry Riley titled "Pendulum music". 3 speakers were placed on their back with the speakers pointing upward towards the ceiling. Above the speakers hung 3 microphones, six inches above the speakers. On the count of three the mics were released to swing over the amps, creating bird-like and low tone feedback.

Discussions included the impedance behind the creation of minimalism, spearheaded by Terry Riley, Steve Riech and Lamount Young. Those composers felt that the existing formulas utilized by previous composers left listeners without a PhD in theory out in the cold. They wanted to strip it down, thus... minimalism.

Also discussed was the visual equivalent of minimalism in the form of video art using repetition and shifting of time through editing.

The evening rapped up with Robby Kraft first showing his "glass marimba". Coils were placed under a section of the glass plates that tapped the plates creating mechanical glass marimba music. Robby lead a hand clap-minimalist performance by those attending, showed his use of Philip Glass's compositions interpreted through his own computer programming. Finally he presented another computer program which had rotating geometric shapes that created a repetitive 'randomness' through out a time-line.

Robby Kraft's "Glass Marimba"

SoundTable @ Grand Detour- Dec. 5th

SoundTable is a collective group of sound artists/musicians who meet monthly to discuss/demonstrate anything and everything pertaining to music/sound/noise- with an emphasis on the experimental.

A place to expore interactively, stimulate creativity, make connections, foster collaborations in a laid back way.

New discussion leaders and topics every month.

Next talk on minimalism by Robby Kraft- Dec. 5th 7-9pm

"This subject matter is reducing Philip Glass' music into simple forms, or, deconstructing Philip Glass' musical language. After this, program a computer to incorporates these shapes into a new musical language and compare this to Philip Glass. Review Philip Glass' influences and where he fits into the classical school. Finally, explore avenues Philip Glass did not utilize which our program has now made available."

@ Grand Detour
215 SE Morrison ; Suite 2020; Portland, OR

http://www.grand-detour.org/

PDXperimental Sound Links

Ambient experimental duo (Trumpet & Computer)
"We have been the musical backdrop for art houses, outdoor farm and mountain festivals, rock halls, intimate clubs, creative rebirths, beaches, forests, farmers' markets, plush lounges and eclectic coffeehouses. Our sound offers a little something for everyone and we cater to all ages when reaching out to whomever might gift us the platform to speak to the people in letting them be the judge of whether or not we have something worth sharing."
Deklun and Pace
http://www.sonicbids.com/deklunpace
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Live improvisational soundscapes under the name, East Forest (Trevor Oswalt). Currently I release a new live track every week via a podcast called "Music Meditations." Here's the link:
http://www.eastforest.org/?page_id=519
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Toby Nelson
Artist: Segment (my solo act)Title: Lethargy Link:
http://toby-nelson.com/mp3/Lethargy.mp3


Artist: Bit Stream (noise/electronic duo I am half of)
Title: Time Exponential- Link:
http://toby-nelson.com/mp3/BitStream-TimeExponential.mp3

Looking for Submissions!

Send us a link to your soundz, we'd love to hear your world!
experimental/out there/ sound collages and such...

Send to:
jvonragan@gmail.com

Spirals Dance Echos

Spirals Dance Echoes from Benjamin Popp on Vimeo.

Cut-out annimation by B.Popp, Sound Design by Jeffrey Von Ragan 2010