Austin: Air Guitar

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Andy
h

Austin

Perhaps it's the obvious approach, but it seemed the best way to musically capture the 'Air Guitar' is through an exploration of all the OTHER sounds a guitar makes. This piece is essentially a solo percussion work, using recordings made by hitting, scratching and otherwise abusing a guitar. Call the ending cliche, but the catharsis it renders seemed mandatory.

Austin: On a Bike, part 2

Listen: Austin: On a Bike, part 2.MP3

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Andy
Up the hill.

Austin

Part 2 of the fictional bike ride, this time trudging up a steep hill ... near loss of control ... finally the view breaks before you (the question remains unanswered whether the romantic interest of part 1 has taken the lead, or is in pursuit, or perhaps didn't make it this far up the hill altogether)

Austin: On a Bike, part 1

 

Listen: Austin: On a Bike, part 1.MP3

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Andy

On a bike ride.

Austin

As has happened numerous times throughout Allogamy, for this piece a sort of fictional narrative formed in my mind. For this particular one Andy had charged me with creating a bike ride. I suppose it could have been the musical equivalent, instead of a literal musical description. Nonetheless, a charming and romantic bike ride. Flirtatious, and periodically wobbly.

Andy: B&W

Listen: Andy: B&W.MP3

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Andy
Just waiting for the end of the world.

Austin

Quiet contemplation of the apocalypse, per Andy's photo.

Austin: Digital

 

Listen: Austin: Digital.MP3

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Andy

The digital counterpart to my analog, in all it's contrasted glory.

Austin

In direct contrast to "Analog," this piece is based entirely around the MIDI-based concept of digital sampling. This concept has become so commonplace that we modern composers have basically taken it utterly for granted. As with "Analog," the source material is 100% derived from me scratching a few notes out on an irish penny whistle. Unlike the previous piece, though, my exploitation of sampling allows for a creation beyond the scope of true analog electronic music (of course, in reality both are technically digital...)

Austin: Analog

 

Listen: Austin: Analog.MP3

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Andy

Eaaaasing back into this after a bit of a hiatus. Here we go again. Analog.

Austin

In the very earliest days of electronic music, "digital" music did not exist. This music was created using very labor-intensive techniques involving tape loops and effects which were borderline mechanical in nature. Many amazing pioneers like Varese, Ussachevsky, Leuning and Stockhausen, among many others. While the glories of digital technology has allowed 21st century composers to do things vastly beyond the wildest imaginings of these humble origins, there is something to that aesthetic we can't quite reproduce. Today's piece is at least an effort to, using only analog procedures on a source recording of me (poorly) playing an Irish penny whistle.

The Soul - version 4

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Austin

As a final visit to my little tune, we're reminded again the extent to which jazz lives and dies by its performers and interpreters. In stark contrast to the ultra-rich smoothness of the vibraphone, today we hear my melody on an unaccompanied, lonesome alto sax (performed by Alexis Marsh).

Andy

July has been an incredible month. A health amount of time in the mountains and lots of fun. I also crashed my bike at the beginning of the month and the resulting minor leg injury kept me from too much leg-involved exercise. That being said I haven't been swimming at all. I think it's time to get back to it. Good for the soul.