Quadruped
Square Root of Margaret
Music for Mapmakers
White Star Line
Comae
Hollowphonic
Trains & Airplanes
Parts Unknown
Danger Figure Centre
Noggin
QUADRUPED
WAVELENGTH #34 SUNDAY OCTOBER 1, 10PM
Quadruped is an instrumental duo, consisting of guitarist Andrew Frontini and drummer Blake Howard (of GUH). They make mood-enhancing spaghetti-western music. Tungo Boneclock found out more.
Is
it true that Quadruped started out as a single four-legged creature? How
did that compare to your current formation of 2 bipeds? Any plans to revert
back?
Yes that's true, the costume was hot and sweaty and we would always argue
about who was going to be the back end before each gig. Eventually Blake
got sloppy with the rental payments on the suit and it had to go back.
Losing the suit was very liberating and, taking a less literal approach,
we were able to expand musically. Now Quadruped is an abstraction, which
is how it should be - we would never go back.
If
you had to replace (both sonically and physically) the two instruments
in the band with two farm animals, which would be chosen?
A goat, because apparently they can digest anything, and a cow because
cows sing with a good bottom end and they come with a bell.
What
is next for the project? Have you considered doing Indian movie scores?
The next project is a double concept album which may be recorded live
and in the shower this morning. I thought it would be great to do a Christmas
album. I haven't considered Indian movies but we are interested in Italian
porno and want to tour over there.
The
tracks on your current release Entering Eldorado (Spying Dwarf Records)
are referred to as "deriving from collaborative improvisations between
the two musicians." Hmmm. Not much of a question, but please feel free
to comment.
Certainly. It's like this: I make up tight little guitar ditties on my
acoustic guitar in my kitchen late at night. Later in the week Blake and
I get together and blow them to pieces at half speed. Sometimes we just
make stuff up on the spot, like a four legged conduit channeling impulses
from the distant past. Heavy.
4-track
cassette. Any words for non-believers?
Whats not to believe? The Fostex was integral to birth of Quadruped. To
think of Entering Eldorado as a digital recording is like thinking of
Hadrian's Wall as a recycled plastic picket fence - it could not be. We
can't apologize for our creative process, we have to bring it with us,
and if that means tape hiss, so be it.
Is
there anything you want to say to Christina Aguilera?
I think she should record her next album on a four-track cassette recorder.
I'd be happy to lend her mine as we're doing our next record on Edison
lacquer cylinders and we won't be needing it.
SQUARE
ROOT OF MARGARET
WAVELENGTH #34 SUNDAY OCTOBER 1, 10PM
Here are some answers/thoughts on the questions that you are asking of Square Root of Margaret:
RE: PSEUDONYMS
Po Kadot = Last name: Cadotte. First name: Bryan. Given name: Po a.k.a.
Polkadot
DenDen#7 = Last name: Reissner. First name: Dennis. Given name: Skintight
BenBen a.k.a. Jon Von Boogie a.k.a. Easy Reissner a.k.a. The Dentist
Clark Smart = Last name: Clarke. First name: Todd. Given name: Toed, Toodles,
Trud, Tard Clock, Professional Stunt Drummer Joshua Brisco, Esq. = Last
name: Brisco. First name: Joshua. Given name:
Fatty, Rosh etc.
These names have been acquired after many strange days, and long, sleepless nights, for whatever reasons. Origins unknown.
RE: MUSIC AND
HUMOUR
We are amused by a great many things. Like any band, there are little
inside jokes, born of miscellaneous experiences. These sometimes find
there way into the music. We enjoy pain and darkness as well (even as
I type this, I am wearing a black T-shirt - oh no!!!).
RE: ALBUMS IN PRODUCTION VS. RELEASED MATERIAL There is indeed a considerable amount of music that may or may not eventually see the light of day. The band is constantly writing new songs, whole albums may change dramatically in the course of a month. The past few years have been wildly creative for Square Root Of Margaret - currently there is enough solid material for approximately five full-length albums, and new songs are popping up all of the time. The band keeps busy recording, but we also keep writing. It never stops. We are currently working on two releases in two different studios. Someday you might hear them!
RE: THE POPULATION
OF CHATHAM, ONTARIO
44,000 (plus/minus some dead and dying people, and those just born). Being
between London and Windsor, America and the rest of Canada - people in
this area tend to create music, art, whatever, in order to fill the cultural
void that we call home (where the heart is- next to the lungs - that breathe
air).
RE: 33 1/3 RPM
A name given to a concept of independent D.I.Y. ethics, and a small collective
of like-minded individuals. 33 1/3 RPM was created as a means for Square
Root Of Margaret to release their independent recordings, and interface
with the industry. However, 33 1/3 RPM does not seek to compete and/or
present itself to the music industry, as anything other than the immediate
support network for Square Root Of Margaret. The greatest misconception
about 33 1/3 RPM is that it is a fully operational, independent record
label.
RE: HOUSE OF BLEEN
A constantly evolving area of space wherein we feel most comfortable making
music. We are always upgrading equipment within the facility, and have
recently opened our doors to other bands/artists that wish to record there.
Although we quite enjoy recording in different environments, with people
that can offer new perspectives on sound, we continue to build upon the
House of Bleen to achieve the level(s) of production to which we aspire.
RE: FUTURE PLANS
We are looking forward to releasing some new material, and intend to spend
most of 2001 on the long and winding road. Up until now, we have never
really toured for any great distance and/or duration - which is funny
(haha), because people seem to really embrace the live music experience
that occasionally is Square Root Of Margaret. Furthermore, because we
have so much material that we feel is worth releasing, we are seeking
out other methods of bringing our music to the masses - indie labels,
compilations, singles, MP3s etc.... we enjoy working with good people
in the independent music scene.
RE: CDs
Well, our currently available releases are currently available from Sonic
Unyon Distribution. Otherwise, you may wish to shake the branches of many
assorted leafy green trees. Because that's where it's at. Or, if you do
not wish to shake the branches of the many assorted leafy green trees,
you can order the CDs directly from our website, www.srom.net.
-Paddy O'Donnell asked the now invisible questions.
MUSIC
FOR MAPMAKERS
WAVELENGTH #35 SUNDAY OCTOBER 8, 11pm
Music
For Mapmakers have only been around for a year and a half, but have been
crafting songs and sounds that would have even the most trained ears agreeing
that they might have been toiling for years.
In fact, they have kind of bludgeoned their way into my consciousness
via only one live show and a few frequent MP3 listens. So much so that
I rudely and licentiously took the liberty of "adding" them to the Wavelength
night for October 8.
That said, it was only fair that, upon hearing a rap on my door, a beshaded,
and Old-Spiced Jonny Dovercourt, in fine tailored smoking jacket, silk
pyjamas, highball of bourbon in hand and flanked by two leggy sequin-dressed
super vixens, assigned me, like some half assed Kim Philby, to discover
the plans of these Mapmakers.
I took the Mata Hari route instead and as I lay in bed with the band in
the wee hours of an absinthe-hazed, shall we say, "session" of sorts,
I was only able to get a few cryptic responses:
"In
MFMM cartography, all roads ideally lead to...?"
Derek, behind his steamed spectacle, hissed: " it's not the specific destination
that is important, it's how you get there." Suddenly I started to feel
very used...and dirty... "Are these 'mapmakers' mapping the stars, the
globe, society, or the heart?"
Distractedly, he whispered, " all of the above" Okay, maybe not that dirty - still, after the hours we had spent together, I still had no real hard 'evidence'-
"When
are you going to get me CD to review?"
And then, as coldly and matter of factly as Beria ordering an execution,
he snapped, "As soon as we can quit our day jobs." Surely he was not suggesting
I be a patron like that trampy DeKoenigswater Baroness? I rather fancied
myself a Thiele, actually. My anxiety at this possible implication had
me try to track the mapping of their musical hearts. With a rather transparent
query, I attempted...
"Name three historically significant cartographers (their work), and the
contemporary music they would have listened to."
Again, in a distanced glare he offered four! Maybe I was starting to get
somewhere! "John Coltrane (mapped the cool jazz era), listening to freakbeat;
Lichtenstein (American pop and drama-queen artist), listening to twee
and shoegaze, Jean Luc Godard (mapped French New Wave), listening to Serge
Gainsbourg and Air; and Jean Paul Sartre (mapped individualism and philosophy),
listening to Snoop and Dre." At last when I thought I was getting somewhere,
I suggested that the ghost of Syd Barrett was very apparent, he cuffed
me with a swappy backhand and told me, "... actually, the ghost of Nicky
Mason was far more apparent."
Aghast, and with my eyes welling with tears from such a sudden swipe,
I recoiled, and demanded: "Why do I like your band so damn much?"
With that, as he stepped out of bed adjusting his thong, and showing me
the door, declared: "You tell us - every answer is different." And all
this from a man who told me he skipped the recent Swearing At Motorists
show to see the 'new' Exorcist instead, assuring me that "it's funnier
now than it was 20 years ago." At this I realized I ought to take my leave,
only slightly wiser, and fearing that he might attempt to make a Texas
Chainsaw comedy sketch out of me. All I can do now is ask for witnesses
as protection on October 8th and perhaps a little more insight into what
Liisa Ladouceur calls "the best unsigned act in Toronto". Am I to infer
she got more out of them than me, your humble assignee?
Report filed by: Ryszard Paskowski, ex-Staszi, current agent: CSIS.
WHITE
STAR LINE
WAVELENGTH #35 SUNDAY OCTOBER 8, 10PM
White Star Line bring their stark, cinematic lullabies to Ted's for Wavelength #35 on October 8.
Stephen Dohnberg (the driving force behind WSL) and I finally bumped into each other not long ago after crossing musical paths in Toronto for ages. We hit up the electronic lines of communication for this interview.
White
Star Line - macrocosmic or microcosmic?
The obvious answer is both. However, if macrocosmic was the case then
the greater we would fall. Microcosmic is better for the ego, but I like
the rollercoaster ride of a giant, pulsing cosmos. We'll take macrocosmic
for $200, Alex.
White
Star Line is an instrumental project. To what extent does melody play
a part in the music? How do you try to create "lyrical" compositions?
White Star Line is an instrumental project by accident. I'd been holding
out for a soft-spoken male vocalist or ideally, a female vocalist. That
said, I gave in very quickly to the painstaking search (or so I like to
convince myself). The extent that melodic and lyrical composition plays
is a huge factor in my limited idiom. I have an inclination towards minor
scales, dissonance, aleatory approaches even, and feel that these contribute
to the melancholia of the lyricism. The Black Heart Procession expressed
it succinctly when they said they just try to emulate an "absurd 'why',
rather than a self-absorbed 'why me'?"
The
recording of Emerging From A Long Season Of Discontent - give us a rundown
of the process and timeline. Was it anything like hibernating? Were you
referring to a particular season?
This isn't the National Enquirer, and Wavelength readers have the brains
and passion for music to understand that music can be cathartic - this
is a cathartic project. Whether anyone knows anything (about what any
single one of us has really gone through and the impact it's had on one)
is entirely suspect. All I can really articulate is that Toronto has surprised
me and having found people to work with has been entirely vindicating.
Hibernating the period from 1997-9 found me detached from real life in
more ways than I could imagine, and in fact, the word "Emerging" in the
title still suggests I'm in a period of thaw. Despite the fear of Toronto
winters, I seriously believe I'm in a thaw stage.
How
do you equate your music with (Karlheinz)
Stockhausen's theory of "process compositions"?
I accept the notion that the point at which a piece reaches in the performance
process, or the recording process, is simply an excerpt or snapshot. The
songs that are written are from sparks that influence the initial process,
but with my inability to focus or reach any kind of meditative state,
fails to fully exemplify a state of mind I am trying to communicate. This
is the tug of war in an artistic or aesthetic sense, however· to create
and freeze moments in time for others to use as a touchstone, a perspective,
something to share. But like everything, even life is a work-in-progress.
So here is a seemingly somewhat contradictory element, but painting best
exemplifies this analogy. In particular, war artists, like Otto Dix, who
painted the impact of seeing a disfigured victim's face, and did so because
he knew the human inclination to bury the initial reaction as a mirage,
and knew that for the sake of these people it would be necessary to "capture,
file, and reintroduce".
Sun
Ra said "First comes the glory, then comes the shame"; where is White
Star Line at this moment?
The beauty of having had the benefit of these teachers is that they have
essentially mapped the experiences from their times, and if we pay attention
to their examples, they provide clues on how to avoid the same follies,
but perhaps still find a way to reach the same heights without the archetyped
inventory of successes at the costs of others. But if I allow for the
eventuality that we can't break out of a neo-nihilistic pseudo-Elizabethan
conservative worldview, and that we're just a bunch of lumps of stupid,
then I'd say we're currently working very hard to achieve the glory of
shame.
- Ol' Dirty Rosen
COMAE
WAVELENGTH #36 SUNDAY OCTOBER 15, 10PM
Wavelength is proud to present our first European guests, Comae, from the U.K.
Given this duo's pedigree, their Canadian debut should be a mind-expanding treat. Interview conducted by Jonny Dovercourt.
Tell
us about about your respective backgrounds in music and how the two of
you came to create sounds together.
Comae is a collaboration between Janek Schaefer and Robert Hampson formed
in 1999. The duo arose from a shared interest in architecture/place and
music/ space. Janek is best known for exploring an imaginative approach
to sound production and retrieval most notably with the invention of his
Tri-phonic Turntable. He was chosen as the "Sound Designer of the Year"
by Creative Review magazine (London) in 1999. Robert is the founding member
of both Main (1990-present) and the guitar band Loop (1984-89). He is
best known for his extreme manipulation techniques with guitar combined
with acousmatic sound design. Their music is the result of a very hands-on
approach to sound production and retrieval. Performances consist of evolving
and involving sound improvisations, combining abstracted elemental sonic
sources and vinyl deconstruction via electro-acoustic and concrete composition.
The
name Comae implies a state of catatonia or ecstatic bliss, and the music
seems to reflect this. Was this intentional?
Comae, pronounced "Co-my" is a term used to describe the specular cloud
of gas and dust surrounding the nucleus of a comet. It also has connotations
of endless drifting sequences which the music bears out.
How
does the Tri-phonic turntable work?
The Tri-phonic turntable is a three tone arm, two direction, multi-level,
micro vari-speed vinyl manipulator. This instrument was invented and built
by Janek in 1997, and is the only turntable with such potential in existence.
This is only used by Janek in his solo work and will not be part of Comae
performances.
My
cat normally doesn't even notice when I put on music, but her ears perked
up when the Comae disc was on, and she started watching the sounds move
back and forth through the stereo field. Are you attempting to communicate
with our animal cousins?
Our work deals with the illusion of invisible or imagined space and place
derived though a palette of transformed sounds. This space only exists
intermittently and I think that anything with the ability to sense this
when it arrives is a member of our audience.
What
are you most looking forward to when you visit Toronto?
Microbrewed beer.
HOLLOWPHONIC
WAVELENGTH #36 SUNDAY OCTOBER 15, 11PM
Since releasing their Phonic 50mg CD in June of '99, T-dot space-rock heroes Hollowphonic having been laying low, occasionally playing shows with bands like Low. Sanitorium Hot Dog asked Hollow Man Brad Ketchen what's been happenin'.
Once
you were just Hollow. How did you become hooked on Phonics?
When I was putting my website up on the Ultimate Band List I found there
were numerous other Hollow's. Everything from Hollow to Hollow1 to Band
Named Hollow. Since the disc was originally going to be called Phonic
I thought I would just add it to the name to avoid any future confusion
or problems. Then Hooverphonic came along. I think Hollowphonic sounds
better though...
Please
extoll the virtues of creative dictatorship, for the benefit of those
out there who might still be suffering through rock-band "democracy."
You get to be completely in control of everything, the music, the production,
the package and everything on down. But the downside is you can only amuse
yourself for so long. I really like creating music with other people in
the room. You can only stay in the studio by yourself for so long before
going completely insane. It's great playing with Jordan (Kern) and Luca
(Maoloni) because any time I get stuck in a jam they are there to contribute
some great ideas.
What
is the best chord to drone on?
D (for Drone), 'specially with the low E tuned to D. A typical night
out for the Hollowphonic crew involves...?
A good piss-up at a pub then over to someone's club night...
When
is that new record coming out?
I've been toying with the idea of first putting out a single or an EP
before I tackle another full-length venture and I'm looking towards late
fall/early winter, and I've got to iron out the details of who's gonna
put it out. We've demoed about 8 songs so far and have many more that
we've been playing. I'm really excited about the new stuff, more organic
in nature, more instrumentation and general involvement from the other
band members. It will also be better produced. Outside of the recording
we did at Sanzo's, 50mg was kind of a guinea pig for the first phase of
my studio, Pharmasound. Tom, who created some of drum loops and sequences
on 50mg, will still contribute as well, he's got a great new track I'm
looking forward to working on. I want to start recording soon, but now
that I can record everything here at Pharmasound, I'm booked through the
fall working on other people's projects as well as working on other projects
of my own (and hoping I can make a bit of a living as well). Some of the
tunes on 50mg were recorded in 1996, so I'm anxious to get something fresh
out.
For more info, see www.etsys.com/hollowphonic.
TRAINS
& AIRPLANES
WAVELENGTH #37 SUNDAY OCTOBER 22, 10pm
For
someone coming out of the hardcore scene, Lee Sheppard has always done
his best to break the self-imposed rules of said clique.
First by indulging in mostly instrumental, jazzy noodlification with Holding
Pattern, and now with his extended "solo" project Trains & Airplanes,
a pop group with a revolving-door membership, whose lyrics deal with that
most unheard-of topic amongst the HC crowd: S-E-X. Ooh yeah, saucy, baby!
You should expect no less from a band called T&A. Buddy Dovercourt asked
the, uh, hard questions.
Your
lyrics are painfully honest, even if they're just made up. That's either
brave or stupid. Take your pick.
Well definitely stupid, but everyone, when they are being most honest
with themselves, thinks that they are stupid. And they probably are. But
who fucking cares, because in our heart of hearts we know that everyone
else is stupid, so let's drop the charade. And if you mean being honest
about looking at girls' underwear and then hating other guys for objectifying
them, well... that's stupid. And honest. And brave, I figure.
What's
up with all the "sh-bop"s, "whoa whoa-oh"s and "ba ba ba"s? Can't you
write more painfully complete lyrics to your songs?
My dear friend Evan Clarke asks me when I'm going to finish writing my
lyrics. I'm not. Sometimes "la-la-la-la" is way more expressive than "blah
blah blah blah", if you follow me.
Now
to your fans. Why do they sit in front of the stage to your groovy pop
tunes? Are they marathon runners by day or are they just fuckin' lame?
When you go from lullabies to rock songs in the course of a 40 minute
set, people don't know whether to stand, sit, dance, etc. So they sit.
They 're still there.
And
why do they always leave right after your set? Do they hate other bands?
Do they have marathons in the early hours? Or are they just fuckin' lame?
The readers of Wavelength want to know.
So they're only there 'till I'm done. I don't know. The excuses I've heard
are numerous. I think they must all be closet marathon runners for sure.
When
the holy shit will your album be out?
It is. Sort of. Release party? Don't know. CDs? In my kitchen, living
room, bedroom, in boxes. Talk to me.
Do
you secretly wish (like me) that people would just DANCE?
Yes. But... we gotta make 'em have no choice. I ain't there yet. Maybe
never. Definitely never if I keep playing for closet dancers like me.
Alas.
NOGGIN
WAVELENGTH #38: SUNDAY OCTOBER 29, 11pm
This
interview was conducted thru robotic machinery on the 5 times 5 day of
the "month" you know as "September".
To keep the forces of 5 alive only 5 questions could be asked for this
interview to work.
Onaka and Bazee briefly discussed what may be appropriate to find out
about this King Frog and his Noggin mate Michael, and then worked thru
the humanoid body of the Onakabazien to get these transmissions down to
enter the target. (Ed. note: Noggin are a duo from Portland, Oregon. They
make noise. You have been forewarned)
Where
do you believe the origins of the human races were located on this planet?
Africa, of course.
Do
you believe in the forces of synchronicity? I work at a little convenience
store in a little town and some odd things have happened. For instance,
and this has happened many, many times, the store will be empty for about
20 minutes and then all the sudden 3 cars pull up at the exact same time.
Happens so often. If one customer comes in when the store has been empty
for a long period of time I can expect to have at least one or two more
come in at the same time and I'm often right. Also, and again this has
happened many times, a customer will come in and ask for a brand of cigarettes
that seriously I only get like one customer a week asking for, and the
next customer to come in will ask for the exact same kind. This sounds
kind of wacky but what are your thoughts on this and the idea of mass
synchronicity?
The Herd Mentality Could Save the Planet.
What's
the most insane experience you've had in your lifetime so far? Any coming
close to the paranormal?
Michael has seen a UFO. It was about twenty years ago.
Do
you follow Roman time like the rabbit in Alice In Wonderland? Is it your
master? Or do you prefer to often smash the clock?
Eric: I have followed Roman time for many years, but am going to be smashing
the clock very soon. I will have quit my job driving a juice truck that
I was at for over 4 and a half years, but I don't have a new job lined
up and I'm not going to worry about it too much either.
Michael follows the clock a lot but can smash his violin.
What
were your favorite Disney cartoon films as a child?
Michael is anti-Disney. Eric was too young to know any better and liked
Sleeping Beauty, but thought it should have ended with Sleeping Beauty
dead.
Thank you for your time. Transmission ending...... -The O.