Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 2498

Anthony Braxton premieres new opera, Trillium J

ANTHONY BRAXTON CONTINUES 69TH BIRTHDAY SEASON WITH PREMIERE OF LATEST OPERA:TRILLIUM J (THE NON-UNCONFESSIONABLES)
Photo credit: Michael Weintrob, michaelweintrob.com
Esteemed American composer, musician, educator, recording artist and philosopher Anthony Braxton continues his 69th birthday season with the premiere of his latest multimedia opera,Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) at Roulette in Brooklyn April 17–19. The semi-staged, four-act opera is being presented as part of the two-weekend Tri-Centric Music Festival produced by Braxton’s Tri-Centric Foundation, where audiences—or “friendly-experiencers,” as the prolific MacArthur Fellow, Doris Duke Performing Artist and recently-named NEA Jazz Master likes to refer to his listeners—will have the option of experiencing two acts at a time on two separate evenings, or attending a full day with the first two acts presented as a matinee and the second two acts presented that same evening. Please see below for full cast and performance details.
Crucial to the mission of Braxton’s Tri-Centric Foundation is the cultivation of a vibrant community of creative musicians, of which Trillium J—with its cast of 12 vocalists, 12 instrumental soloists, two dancers and 37-piece orchestra—is a shining example. Led by a team that includes Braxton (composer, librettist, conductor), Acushla Bastible (director), Chris Jonas (video director) and Taylor Ho Bynum (producer), the production brings together over 60 artists to explore new ideas of opera and performance. The work clearly demonstrates the technical rigor and improvisational magic for which Braxton is famed, but also features broad humor, sly satire and a broad appreciation of the unexpected. Philosophical insight is balanced with moments of absurdist surprise—offering multiple levels of appreciation to listeners both familiar with Braxton’s canon and those new to his work.
Following the premiere the project will move into the studio to be recorded and released as a CD/DVD box set in the spring of 2015. The set will incorporate both live video and animation in order to fully document this massive work.
Braxton has identified the Trillium opera cycle as the ongoing project closest to his heart. Once complete, he envisions an interlinked “opera complex” of 36 acts where each chapter also exists as a stand-alone opera. Three have been performed so far: Trillium A (one act, fully staged in San Diego in 1985), Trillium M (two acts, in a concert performance in London in 1994) and Trillium R (four acts, fully staged in NYC in 1996). The performances of Trillium Mand Trillium R both resulted in CD releases, and the four-act Trillium E was recorded in the studio in 2010 and commercially released the following year. Braxton is currently in the final stages of Trillium X (four acts), which will bring him more than halfway to his ultimate goal.
The settings of the various acts of the Trillium cycle range from corporate board meetings to interplanetary space travel. Trillium J includes portrayals of the completion of the intercontinental railroad, a garden of anthropomorphized animals accused of corruption and fraud, a murder mystery in a haunted house and two trials—one by gangsters and one by jury. Each act occurs within these specific dramatic contexts, but there is no overarching narrative structure; rather, the interest is in how the characters interact within the parameters of these situations. However, the “apparent story” is just one of three levels; underlying each act are the “philosophical” and “mystical” dynamics that so deeply inform Braxton’s libretto and music.
“Events in this sound world attempt to act out a given central concept from many different points of view,” Braxton explains. “There is no single story line in Trillium because there is no point of focus being generated. Instead the audience is given a multi-level event state that fulfills vertical and horizontal strategies (objectives). The wonder of this approach brings a fresh vitality to the music and will allow for a broad range of interpretations. I believe that the medium of opera is directly relevant to cultural alignment and evolution.”
Taking a cue from Braxton’s “Tri-Axium” philosophical writings exploring the “partials” of his life’s work—music (sound logic) systems, thought (philosophical) systems, and ritual and ceremonial (belief) systems—the decision to publicly celebrate his 69th birthday (a number divisible by three) is a natural one. The season continues through the fall of 2014 with the release of a series of CD box sets of new material:  Trio (New Haven) 2013 , a 4-CD set of Braxton performing with two of contemporary improvisation’s leading drummers, Tom Raineyand Tomas Fujiwara;  12 Duets (DCWM) 2012 , a 12-CD set presenting Braxton in dialogue with three distinctive duet partners: violinist Erica Dicker, vocalist Kyoko Kitamura and bassoonist Katherine Young; and  3 Compositions (EEMHM) 2011 , a 3-CD set documenting Braxton’s newest composition system, Echo Echo Mirror House Music, featuring Braxton’s long-running septet with Taylor Ho Bynum (brass), Jessica Pavone (viola), Mary Halvorson (guitar), Jay Rozen (tuba), Carl Testa (bass) and Aaron Siegel (percussion). More information on these recordings is available separately.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 17
Anthony Braxton: Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) (Acts I & II)8 p.m. at Roulette
http://roulette.org/events/anthony-braxtons-trillium-j-the-non-unconfessionables-acts-i-ii/
Friday, April 18
Anthony Braxton: Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) (Acts III & IV)8 p.m. at Roulette
http://roulette.org/events/anthony-braxtons-trillium-j-the-non-unconfessionables-acts-iii-iv/
Saturday, April 19
Anthony Braxton: Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) (Acts I & II)3 p.m. at Roulette
http://roulette.org/events/anthony-braxtons-trillium-j-the-non-unconfessionables-acts-i-ii-2/
Saturday, April 19
Anthony Braxton: Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) (Acts III & IV)8 p.m. at Roulette
http://roulette.org/events/anthony-braxtons-trillium-j-the-non-unconfessionables-acts-iii-iv-2/
COMPLETE PERSONNEL
Cast:
Zakko—Roland Burks, bass
Ashmenton—Kelvin Chan, baritone
Joreo—Tomas Cruz, tenor
Helena—Lucy Dhegrae, soprano
Bubba John Jack—Chris DiMeglio, baritone
Alva—Kristin Fung, mezzo-soprano
David—Nick Hallett, tenor
Ntzockie—Kyoko Kitamura, soprano
Sundance—Kamala Sankaram, soprano
Kim—Elizabeth Saunders, mezzo-soprano
Shala—Jen Shyu, soprano
Ojuwain—Vince Vincent, tenor
Instrumental Soloists:
Vincent Chancey, French horn
Domenica Fossati, flute
Jacob Garchik, baritone horn
Jim Hobbs, alto saxophone
Ingrid Laubrock, soprano saxophone
Oscar Noriega, clarinet
Dan Peck, tuba
Reut Regev, trombone
Stephanie Richards, trumpet
Katie Scheele, English horn
Josh Sinton, bass clarinet
Libby Van Cleve, oboe
Dancers:
Rachel Bernsen
Melanie Maar
Orchestra:
Violin
Erica Dicker (concertmaster)
Renee Baker
Sam Bardfeld
Sarah Bernstein
Julianne Carney
Jason Hwang
Mazz Swift
Scott Tixier
Viola
Amy Cimini
Jessica Pavone
Erin Wight
Cello
Marika Hughes
Tomeka Reid
Tomas Ulrich
Bass
Ken Filiano
Mark Helias
Flute
Leah Paul
Domenica FossatiOboe/English horn
Kathy Halvorson
Katie Scheele
Libby Van CleveClarinet/saxophone
Mike McGinnis
Jim Hobbs
Ingrid Laubrock
Oscar Noriega
Josh Sinton
Bassoon
Sara Schoenbeck
Katherine YoungFrench horn
Nathan Koci
Vincent Chancey
Trumpet
Gareth Flowers
Stephanie RichardsTrombone
Jacob Garchik
Reut Regev
Tuba
Dan PeckPercussion
David Shively
Harp
Jacqui Kerrod
Production:

Anthony Braxton, Conductor/Composer/Librettist
Taylor Ho Bynum, Producer/Assistant Conductor
Acushla Bastible, Director
Louisa Proske, Associate Director
Chris Jonas, Video Director
Dylan McLaughlin, Associate Video Director
Rachel Bernsen, Choreographer
Amy Crawford, Sound Design
Kyoko Kitamura, Assistant Producer
Tyler Rai, Production Assistant
Yi Zhao, Lighting designer
Nikki Delhomme, Costume Designer
Desiree Alejandro, Stage Manager

Suzanne Vega "Solitude Standing" DVD

Suzanne Vega "Solitude Standing"  Available on DVD on May 6th
 An intimate performance in Rome from 2003

Filmed at the Rome Auditorium in July 2003, Suzanne Vega performs some of her greatest hits at this intimate concert, including Tom's Diner, Luka and Marlene On The Wall. The songs are interspersed with moving poetry readings. The DVD includes a candid interview with singer/songwriter Valerio Piccolo about Vega's life and career. This DVD is released shortly following her world tour and new album. "Widely regarded as one of the most brilliant songwriters of her generation," (Biography Magazine) Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been labelled contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has performed at sell-out concerts in many of the world's best-known venues. She'll be touring the UK, Europe, the USA, Japan and Australia throughout March, April and May 2014 - a full list of dates can be found HERE. Pre-Order Link: http://www.seeofsound.com/p.php?s=WNRD2582  Hi Res Cover Art: http://mvdb2b.com/i/300dpi/WNRD2582.jpg
Songs / Poems:1. Marlene On The Wall 2. How To Make A Poem (poem) 3. Small Blue Thing 4. Caramel 5. Italy In Spring (poem) 6. Some Journey 7. Penitent 8. When Heroes Go Down 9. Anti-hero (poem) 10. Gypsy 11. Left Of Center 12. Solitaire 13. The Queen And The Soldier 14. In Liverpool (poem) 15. In Liverpool 16. Luka 17. Tom's Diner

Perfect Pussy live tomorrow 3/19 at Bootleg HiFi

"Syracuse five-piece Perfect Pussy sound like a hardcore band fronted by Joan of Arc: A swirling maelstrom of fire engulfs a singer who shouts with the ecstatic conviction of someone who would rather die than apologize." - Pitchfork's Best New Music
"Just the universe sprinkling a little bit of fairy dust on five shitty kids from the rust belt." - Billboard
"No tension, all release." - Seattle Times
WEDNESDAY MARCH 19th at BOOTLEG HIFI, for tix click below...Wed, Mar. 19, 20149:00 PMPerfect Pussy

The Black Angels Reveal New Track, Announce EP

THE BLACK ANGELS  PREMIERE "DIAMOND EYES"VIA CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND
ANNOUNCE CLEAR LAKE FOREST EP,
TO BE RELEASED ON RECORD STORE DAY (4/19)ON CLEAR VINYL 

The Black Angels are excited to reveal "Diamond Eyes," a cut from their upcoming Clear Lake Forest EP. The track premiered via  Consequence of Sound , who called it "equal parts visceral and sweeping, it's perfect for shindigs in the desert or as the soundtrack to your mescaline-fueled escape from heartache." The new release includes 7 entirely new tracks and will be pressed on limited edition clear vinyl on Record Store Day, April 19th. "Diamond Eyes" is available for stream/embedHERE.  Guitarist Christian Bland invites listeners to accompany the band on a sonic odyssey: "After roaming through the Indigo Meadow, the time has come to journey to the Clear Lake Forest, where 7 tales of diamonds, executioners, and other strange occurrences await underneath the crystal waves lapping in the lake."
In the near future, The Black Angels will be playing Austin Psych Fest, Sasquatch Festival and Maverick Festival. Austin Psych Fest, curated by The Black Angels, is in its seventh year. From May 2 - 4, 2014, the lineup boasts The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Black Angels, Loop, The Dandy Warhols, Panda Bear and many more. The full lineup and festival information can be found at www.austinpsychfest.com.  Once again, The Black Angels (Christian Bland - guitar, drone machine/organ; Alex Maas - vocals, bass, organ, drone machine; Stephanie Bailey - drums, percussion; Kyle Hunt - keyboards, percussion, bass, guitar; Jake Garcia - guitar, bass) prove themselves the undisputed avatars of contemporary psychedelic rock, simultaneously exalting the genre's kaleidoscopic past as they thrust it ever further into the future.  Clear Lake Forest  tracklist:1. Sunday Evening2. Tired Eyes3. Diamond Eyes4. The Flop5. An Occurrence at 4507 South Third Street6. The Executioner7. Linda's Gone www.theblackangels.comwww.facebook.com/theblackangelstxhttps://twitter.com/theblackangels

Band of Skulls @ Belasco

Band of Skulls play tonight at Belasco Theater, Tuesday, March 18th 2014.

Photo by Angel Ceballos

Desert Daze Festival 2014

Moon Block Party is happy to announce that the third annual Desert Daze Festival will return to Sunset Ranch in Mecca, CA on Saturday, April 26th, 2014
Sunset Ranch Oasis is a beautiful 163 acre ranch surrounded by mountain ranges and miles of palm trees with 3 lakes next to the festival and campgroundsAddress: 69-520 South Lincoln Street, Mecca, CA 92254

Chuck E. Weiss premieres new track "Hey Pendejo"

CHUCK E. WEISS PREMIERES NEW TRACK
“HEY PENDEJO” ANTI- RECORDS TO RELEASE RED BEANS AND WEISSAPRIL 15 ALBUM EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY
TOM WAITS AND JOHNNY DEPP 
“Chuck E. Weiss is a rare treasure. If you buy one record this year, make it this one. It’s insane.”—Johnny Depp “He put the sin in Synagogue.”—Danny Tate “Idiosyncratic and eclectic.”—Billboard
“Full of great wit, charm and an utter carelessness.”—USA Today
Los Angeles legend Chuck E. Weiss is premiering his new track “Hey Pendejo,” the second single off of his upcoming  Red Beans and Weiss.  Out April 15 on ANTI- Records, the album is available through digital service providers for pre-order today. You can listen to the track HERE. This album marks Weiss’ first release since his 2006 album, 23rd & Stout, which USA Today declared, “cuts across a colorful lyrical landscape that includes musty old saloons, 4 a.m. prank phone calls and hopeless searches for the junky “antique” dealers who once dominated the suburban boulevards of L.A. before strip malls replaced them.” Weiss has had the extraordinary fortune to record his latest album Red Beans & Weiss without the pressure of a time clock. He began recording in October 2012 with strong encouragement by his friends and mentors, Tom Waits and Johnny Depp, who are executive producing this album, which all consider to be Weiss’ best work yet. Weiss began his career playing drums in hometown Denver, where he was discovered by Lightnin’ Hopkins and proceeded to tour and record with a surplus of legends, including Hopkins, Sunnyland Slim, Dr. John and Willie Dixon, who once said of Weiss something along the lines of, “Ain’t ya got ears son? That boy with the big old head be one of the best musicians in this town, this country even.” Weiss remained in Colorado for a period of time and taught a class on the history of American music at The University of Colorado at Boulder before making a move to the West Coast. He became friends with Tom Waits in 1973 when they played at the same venue in Denver. In 1975, Waits recorded a couple of songs they had written together. Weiss traveled to L.A. for the recording and decided to stay. His early days in L.A. were spent as a cook at the Troubadour club where he eventually befriended Rickie Lee Jones in late 1977/early 1978 and was forever immortalized in her 1979 hit song “Chuck E’s in Love.” In 1981 Select Records released a series of demos/unfinished songs called The Other Side of Town. As a result of that release Weiss put together his band, G-d Damn Liars, who performed weekly gigs at a nightclub in L.A. that he and good friend Johnny Depp later converted into the illustrious Viper Room. Weiss has released two other albums, Extremely Cool and Old Souls & Wolf Tickets in addition to his 2006 LP of 23rd & Stout. 

Black Lips Release LP "Underneath the Rainbow"

BLACK LIPS RELEASE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ALBUMUNDERNEATH THE RAINBOW AND DROP VIDEO FOR "JUSTICE AFTER ALL"

Purchase Underneath the Rainbow on iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/album/underneath-rainbow-bonus-track/id797354503

Watch the video for "Justice After All" on Noisey:  http://noisey.vice.com/music-video-premieres/black-lips-justice-after-all

NEW YORK, NY (March 18, 2014) - Black Lips today have released their highly anticipated album Underneath the Rainbow via VICE Records. The 12-track project features production work by The Black Keys' Patrick Carney and Dap Kings' Tommy Brenneck.

In honor of today's release, the band has also dropped a new video for "Justice After All." The video was shot on a mix of film, video tape, and digital, evoking the many eras that influence the band's work.

Purchase Underneath the Rainbow on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/album/underneath-rainbow-bonus-track/id797354503

Watch the video for "Justice After All" on Noisey: http://noisey.vice.com/music-video-premieres/black-lips-justice-after-all

Coming off of a successful run of 10 shows in four days at SXSW, the band will kick off their extensive world tour on Thursday, March 20th. See below for the complete schedule.

3/20 Pioneertown, CA - Pappy and Harriet’s *
3/21 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre *
3/22 Santa Ana, CA - Burgerama @ The Observatory
3/23 Felton, CA - Don Quixote’s *
3/24 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall *
3/25 Sacramento, CA - Assembly *
3/27 Vancouver, British Columbia - Rickshaw Theatre *
3/28 Seattle, WA - Neumo’s *
3/29 Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater *
3/30 Boise, ID - Neurolux *
3/31 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge *
4/2 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater *
4/3 Albuquerque, NM - Sister Bar *
4/4 Phoenix, AZ - The Crescent Ballroom *
4/5 Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern *
4/14 Richmond, VA - The National ^
4/15 Washington, DC - Black Cat ^
4/17 New York, NY - Webster Hall ^
4/18 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer ^
4/19 Boston, MA   Paradise Rock Club ^
4/21 Montreal, Quebec - Corona Theatre ^
4/22 Toronto, Ontario - Phoenix Concert Theatre ^
4/24 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick ^
4/25 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom ^
4/26 Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium ^ 
4/27 St, Paul, MN - Turf Club ^
4/28 Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room ^
4/29 St Louis, MO - The Firebird ^
4/30 Kansas City, MO - The Riot Room ^
5/2-4 Austin, TX - Austin Psych Fest
5/3   New Orleans, LA   Siberia
5/16-17   Gulf Shores, AL   HangOut Fest 

The Melvins' Buzz Osborne Releases Full-Length Solo

THE MELVINS' BUZZ OSBORNE RELEASES FULL-LENGTH SOLO DEBUT, THIS MACHINE KILLS ARTISTS, JUNE 3 VIA IPECAC RECORDINGSPhoto credit: Mackie Osborne
Los Angeles, March 18, 2014 - Buzz Osborne, the legendary grunge progenitor who has helmed the Melvins for thirty plus years, releases his debut solo full-length album, This Machine Kills Artists, on June 3 via Ipecac Recordings.

"I have no interest in sounding like a crappy version of James Taylor or a half-assed version of Woody Guthrie," said the grunge progenitor of the 17-song offering, continuing, "which is what happens when almost every rock and roller straps on an acoustic guitar. No thanks... This Machine Kills Artists is a different kind of animal."

Rolling Stone gave listeners early access to music from Osborne's acoustic release, premiering the song "Dark Brown Teeth": http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-melvins-king-buzzo-go-acoustic-for-new-10-inch-album-tour-20140214. The magazine described the song as "doomy, ill-angled" and with the "Beefheartian edge his band is renown for."

Osborne is currently touring for the first time as a solo artist, wrapping up a three-week trek that included a SXSW interview session with The Stooges' James Williamson. Remaining dates are: March 20 at Zanzabar in Louisville, March 21 at Radio Radio in Indianapolis, March 22 at Beat Kitchen in Chicago and March 23 at the High Noon Saloon in Madison. An extensive North American tour kicking off in June will be announced shortly.

This Machine Kills Artists track listing:

Dark Brown TeethRough DemocracyLaid Back WalkingDrunken BabyVaulting Over A MicrophoneNew RiverThe Vulgar JokeEverything's Easy For YouThe Ripping DrivingHow I Became OffensiveInstrument of GodThe Spoiled BratIllegal MonaGood and HostileThe Blithering IdiotUseless King of the PunksThe Hesitation Twist
-30-
 www.facebook.com/melvinsarmy 
 www.themelvins.net 

Glass Animals announce debut LP

GLASS ANIMALS ANNOUNCE DEBUT LP, OUT JUNE 10 VIA HARVEST RECORDS
SHARE KINGDOM REMIX OF GOOEY
GOOEY EP OUT APRIL 8  Glass Animals are pleased to announce details of their debut album, ZABA.
LISTEN" Gooey" - https://soundcloud.com/glassanimals/gooey LISTEN:  "Gooey (Kingdom Remix)" - https://soundcloud.com/glassanimals/gooey-kingdom-remix-1WATCH: "Gooey" Video - http://youtu.be/IIA1XQnAv5s 

ZABA will be released on June 10th via Harvest Records. The album was recorded at Wolf Tone Studios in London, and produced by frontman Dave Bayley under executive production of Paul Epworth. The 11 track record features new single "Gooey" and a reworking of previous limited EP release, Black Mambo.
The bare bones of Glass Animals' first songs took shape late at night - inspired by South London's bass music scene - recorded secretly and quietly in a small room near Elephant and Castle. Surprisingly for everyone, the result was a beautiful piece of ambient electronica called Golden Antlers, pitched somewhere between Anthony & the Johnsons and James Blake.
Eventually this was shown only to Dave's three closest friends, now band mates, who tweaked it and pinched its haunches a little before they put it onto the Internet. In the late spring of 2012 the band released a single on XL's Kaya Kaya imprint. A year later, with Black Mambo, they became one of the first signings to Paul Epworth's Wolf Tone label.
Created in Epworth's own studio it is undoubtedly among this year's most striking debuts. The title, lifted from Dave's favorite childhood story, comes from William Steig's The Zabajaba Jungle. Steig's evocation of childhood adventure, exoticism and discovery is brilliantly fresh. ZABA is one complete beast and a journey you will get most from if you immerse yourself fully and listen from start to finish. "The sound of the record," Dave says, "is like a backdrop of man-made wilderness..."
Influenced by the exploratory, New World scenarios of Apocalypse Now, The Island of Dr Moreau, Heart of Darkness, The African Queen and Mosquito Coast, ZABA's songs tackle the humanization of nature and human interference with nature. "Even now a lot of my favorite books are those books that I grew up with," he says. "Things like Zabajaba, like Roald Dahl, like Wind in the Willows. I suppose all I've been doing is using those little creatures and animals to cover up what I really meant, to disguise who and what I was really talking about."
Inspired by Kanye West and Charles Darwin, Nina Simone and the Velvet Underground, ZABA is a rich and textured work, a very special record indeed. With Dave producing and Epworth as A&R and mentor, the studio became their home and the band were free to record, improvise and write at their own speed, making their sound a bigger, brighter, heavier and more intense experience than ever before.
The first single, "Gooey" is wobbly and child-like, a hymn to naivety. "There's a confidence in the way children act," Dave says. "I was trying to push that confidence into the beat." Walla-Walla goes back to Dave's love of Timbaland and Dr Dre, while Intruxx, initially the introduction to the entire record, summarizes this entire new world you're entering. 
"I used to be really into super-clean, no flaws production," says Dave, "but now I like the context and soul that mistakes, chopped samples, and swirly white amp-noises give you.... We definitely were a bit self-conscious, we were once afraid to do something bold. Now when we're together in the studio we don't worry about those things. In fact, we don't worry about anything at all..."

ZABAJune 10, 2014Harvest Records
Flip / Black Mambo / Pools / Gooey / Walla Walla / Intruxx / Hazey / Toes / Wyrd / Cocoa Hooves / JDNT
Glass Animals Live:
3/35 - Academy, Oxford (w/ Metronomy)3/39 - M4Music Exil, Zurich4/29 - Nouveau Casino, Paris 6/16 - The Lantern, Bristol 6/20 - Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds 6/21 - Ruby Lounge, Manchester