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Archive for the 'q&a' Category


Q&A – Jon Porras 1

1: Analog or Digital?

Dialogue.

2: What time did you wake up today?
8.

3: Last thing you read?
The Night Face Up by Julio Cortazar

4: Whats your first memory?
Watching speed racer from under the kitchen table.

5: Tea Or Coffee?
Coffee- black as midnight on a moonless night.

6: Last thing you cooked?
Lentil Soup.

7: If you’re reborn who or what would you like to be?
A Hell’s Angel.

8: What inspires you?
Artists and friends here in the bay area.

9: Last record you played?
A Love Supreme.

10: Favorite piece of musical equipment?
This changes but today it’s the sp404.

11: Last movie you saw?
La Jetee.

12: Who do you love?
Friends, family, Alexa.

13: Do you have any pets?
A few succulents.

14: Are you useful?
Yes.

15: Biggest fear?
Near earth objects.

16: What do you value the most?
Time well spent.

17: Famous last words?
Vaya Con Dios.

Jon Porras lives in San Francisco. He wields his axe as 1/2 of Barn Owl and also records solo records under his given name. His latest, ‘Black Mesa‘ is out in a couple of weeks on Thrill Jockey.

Into Midnight, from Black Mesa.

Q&A – HEATSICK 0

1. Analog or Digital?
Don’t like technology fetish

2. What time did you wake up today?
8:40am

3. Last thing you read?
Empire: Negri and Hardt.

4. Whats your first memory?
I remember the first day of school and people started saying the Lord’s Prayer in assembly.
No one had ever told me about this and i had no clue what was going on so i just started miming, like a goldfish. Was quite surreal.

5. Tea Or Coffee?
Teas: Fenchel Anis Kümmel, Kamille, Jasmine
Coffee
Though the best tea i had was the the Tea Ceremony at the Tadschikische Teestube. It included raisins and vodka and i was there for a few hours. It was quite kinky.

6. Last thing you cooked?
Bulgar and Fava Beans

7. If you’re reborn who or what would you like to be?
an Oyster card.

8. What inspires you?
I really enjoyed hanging out with Jeff Witscher recently. watching people dancing.

9. Last record you played?
Hanne Darboven Opus 60

10. Favorite piece of musical equipment?
Maraca

11. Last movie you saw?
haven’t really watched movies in ages
C’etait Un Rendez-Vous though is that a movie?
Also was at a party the other night, and we started talking about In a Year With 13 Moons.
I forgot just how BLEAK that film is, everyone said their goodbyes rather promptly.

12. Who do you love?
my BABY!

13. Do you have any pets?
no

14. Are you useful?
well, i’ve been used.

15. Biggest fear?
Procrastination

16. What do you value the most?
Someone who knows what’s up

17. Famous last words?
I don’t really like thinking about things like this, but i really was taken aback by Patrick Caulfield’s gravestone in Highgate Cemetary. It just says
DEAD.

Heatsick is Berlin based producer/performer Steven Warwick. His has a new 12″ out now on CockTail d’Amore & a new 7″ split with Richard Youngs that benefits WFMU. His last 12″ on PAN, INTERSEX has been keeping me warm during the cold Berlin winter and will be my impromptu dance party LP for years to come…

Q&A – Jonathan Sielaff 6

1. Analog or Digital?
I love knobs and buttons. I love structures imposed by limitations. I
love the objects, the parts and pieces that you can physically
assemble in various configurations. I love constant, organic variation
and unpredictability.
I love cheap, accessible technology that levels the playing field. I
love economical, extraordinarily compact storage for information and
media. I love my iPhone (most of the time).

2. What time did you wake up today?
Around 4:30am and then again at 6:50am.

3. Last thing you read?
Synchronicity by F. David Peat and an article in Saveur on Swedish
food culture. I’m always reading a couple of really different things
at the same time so that I can switch if I’m not in the headspace for
one or the other.

4. Whats your first memory?
My first clear memory is of eating cherry pie at my grandparent’s
restaurant in North Carolina and being taken back to the kitchen to
see the chef’s Smurf collection.

5. Tea Or Coffee?
Both. I spent eight years working in the tea world and the last four
in the coffee world. My apartment is full of brewing devices.

6. Last thing you cooked?
Broccoli rabe with garlic, sherry and pecorino romano, sweet pea
risotto, and salmon baked with lemon and olive oil in parchment paper.

7. If you’re reborn who or what would you like to be?
A tree.

8. What inspires you?
Lots of things… I would say that being in nature is massive for me.
That’s one of the reasons why I live where I do. The Oregon coast
blows my mind every time I go out there. It’s my church.

9. Last record you played?
A Orillas del Magdalena – Coastal Cumbias from Colombia’s Disco
Fuentes (Domino Sound 024)

10. Favorite piece of musical equipment?
My bass clarinet. A 1960’s Selmer Series 9 I inherited from my
grandfather. I’ve played a lot of nice clarinets, but that one feels
like an extension of my body. It’s part of me now.

11. Last movie you saw?
Bill Cunningham New York

12. Who do you love?
My wife Heather. I love a lot of people, but no one as much as her.

13. Do you have any pets?
Two cats. Brothers. Hoover and Britches.

14. Are you useful?
Depends on who you ask.

15. Biggest fear?
Being alone. I know I should be comfortable with it, but I grew up in
a massive family and have lived with people I love my whole life. It’s
hard for me to enjoy anything thoroughly unless I have someone to
share it with.

16. What do you value the most?
Relationships. See above.

17. Famous last words?
I’ll try anything once.

Jonathan Sielaff lives with his lady (who runs the amazing OLO Fragrance) in Portland, Oregon, is one half of Golden Retriever (whose latest LP ‘Light Cones’ is still available), and can often be found expounding upon bean variants and brewing methods.

Q&A – No UFO’s 1

 

1. Analog or Digital?’
I can’t have one without the other!

2. What time did you wake up today?
LATE – 8:47

3. Last thing you read?
Retromania by Simon Reynolds, but a much better answer would be Don DeLillo’s White Noise, which I read prior to that.

4. Whats your first memory?
April 2, 1982: standing at the foot of the basement stairs in my parents’ house, looking up and watching snow fall through the open doorway while my mother left.

5.Tea Or Coffee?
Espresso

6. Last thing you cooked?
Biscuits & mushroom gravy with roasted carrots and beets.

7. If you’re reborn who or what would you like to be?
A dog.

8. What inspires you?
Connection. Transcendence. Work that captures what you didn’t know how to say, or poses questions you can’t answer. Gerhard Richter, Ed Ruscha, Roy Lichtenstein. Kurt Graupner. Public Enemy’s “Fear Of A Black Planet”. Etc.

9. Last record you played?
Eric’s Trip “Peter” 12″. But the last thing I listened to was the upcoming pillowdiver “cassetterecordings” EP, which is excellent.

10. Favorite piece of musical equipment?
It’s definitely been my Clacktronics Wasp Drive lately. In general it’s the piano. Honorable mention to the Roland Space Echo/Chorus Echo, though I don’t own one.. yet.

11. Last movie you saw?
It’s been a while. Either Pierrot Le Fou for the first time or Paris, Texas for the sixth time.

12. Who do you love?
Angie, family, friends.

13. Do you have any pets?
Sadly, no.

14. Are you useful?
Looking back at the last 18+ months it wouldn’t appear so.

15. Biggest fear?
Nothingness. Infinity. Losing my mind and not coming back.

16. What do you value the most?
Honesty, understanding. Balance. Purpose. Solitude b/w Autonomy.

17. Famous last words?
“What’s the worst that could happen?”

Konrad Jandavs records as No UFO’s. His first release (much hyped around these parts!) was last year’s small run self-released cassette, ‘Soft Cost’. It’s just been lovingly remastered & reissued on LP by Spectrum Spools.
His most recent LP “Mind Controls The Flood ” is out now on Public Information.

Q&A – Byron Westbrook 8

1: Analog or Digital?

Digital for making music, analog for listening to it. It’s hard to beat the combination of an old tube stereo amp and a good turntable.

2: What time did you wake up today?

9:30am

3: Last thing you read?

I’m currently working on Spaces Speak, Are You Listening? / Experiencing Aural Architecture by Blesser and Salter

4: What’s your first memory?

I have lots of memories from way back, hard to know what was first. I remember flying on an airplane for the first time and my ears not being able to pop (I would have been a year and a half old). I also have a clear memory of a stained glass mobile above my bed/crib. I have lots of memories of songs on the radio at that time, and remember being in a record store with my mom when the Eagles’ Long Run album had just been released (I’d have been 2.5yo). There was a cardboard display of Kiss records that totally terrified me.

5: Tea Or Coffee?

Tea all the way, no coffee.

6: Last thing you cooked?

Eggs over easy with tempeh bacon, some kind of polenta/quinoa mix and a watercress salad.

7: If you’re reborn who or what would you like to be?

Hmm…. Something with an inconceivable degree of consciousness would certainly satisfy a lot of curiosity, or at the other end of things, maybe a golden retriever since they always seem to be enjoying themselves.

8: What inspires you?

Art that is totally transportive and/or revelatory. People who genuinely care about what they are doing and do it well, without compromising for other interests. People who can play the hell out of an instrument.

9: Last record you played?

Enlightenment by McCoy Tyner

10: Favorite piece of musical equipment?

That’s really tough. I picked up a Korg MS-10 earlier this year, which has been super addictive and inspiring to work with, but my Farfisa organ probably wins as the most magical piece I own. I’ve been wanting to get a harmonium for years, which I think could beat those out if I ever go for it.

11: Last movie you saw?

I tried to re-watch most of Kagaaz Ke Phool by Guru Dutt on Youtube the other day. Amazing film, though I wish there was a better quality physical release of it out there.

12: Who do you love?

Amazing friends and family.

13: Do you have any pets?

I wish, but I can’t commit. I love being around other people’s pets.

14: Are you useful?

I hope so. I’m a pretty great facilitator, I know that.

15: Biggest fear?

Infinity

16: What do you value the most?

Integrity and honesty. People who are considerate and self-aware.

17: Famous last words?

I’m not sure about famous, but I’d bet that “hey guys, watch this” is pretty common.

Byron Westbrook lives in Brooklyn, NY and performs as Corridors. His insane multi-channel live sets have graced audiences around the US and Europe. In the absence of a gig (see below for Fall schedule), check out his release on Sedimental here.

09.25.2011 Byron Westbrook on EastVillageRadio: Radio Heart, 4-6PM EST
09.27.2011 CORRIDORS @ Zebulon, Brooklyn, NY w/En, Future Shuttle
09.30.2011 CORRIDORS @ Monkey House, Burlington, VT , w/Xela, High Aura’d
10.01.2011 CORRIDORS @ Casa del Popolo, Montreal, QC w/Xela, High Aura’d, Le Révélateur
10.23.2011 Phill Niblock Guitar Ensemble @ The Stone, New York, NY
10.29.2011 Byron Westbrook @ The Stone, New York, NY

Q&A – Matt Carlson 3

1: Analog or Digital?

both. I have an analog synth but use digital effects; often I record to tape but then rip the tapes and play around with them in a DAW.

2: What time did you wake up today?

I was awakened at 8:20 this morning by an apartment maintenance crew.

3: Last thing you read?

I’m currently reading Philip Larkin’s Collected Poems. The last thing I finished was The Age of Reason by Jean-Paul Sartre

4: Whats your first memory?

Playing in a green turtle kiddie pool on the back deck of my parent’s house.

5: Tea Or Coffee?

Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon.

6: Last thing you cooked?

Steel cut oats with brown sugar, walnuts and cranberries.

7: If you’re reborn who or what would you like to be?

A life form that is capable of an even more profound intellectual, spiritual and creative experience than Homo Sapiens are. Perhaps some cloud-like composite consciousness?

8: What inspires you?

So many things. All the standards: books, films, records, shows, art, nature, friends, meditation, animals, science. Maybe the best answer is: The Universe?

9: Last record you played?

Dub Taylor – Lumiere

10: Favorite piece of musical equipment?

Duh, my dot com modular synth.

11: Last movie you saw?

Did a doubleheader last night: Walter Hill’s The Driver and Alan Pakula’s The Parallax View (thanks Paul Clipson!)

12: Who do you love?

I’m trying to cultivate love for all sentient beings.

13: Do you have any pets?

Not anymore. :( My cat Robert was the most amazing fully-enlightened transcendental Buddha cat of all time but he was hit by a car and killed a few weeks ago.

14: Are you useful?

Such a loaded question! I’ve always liked what Eno has to say about the use of culture being a kind of collective exercise for the imaginative part of the brain, a form of game-playing that allows humans to ask “what if…” and try out different models of reality. I know that other people’s art has been extremely “useful” in my life and so I just hope I can reciprocate a little bit.

15: Biggest fear?

That humanity will be unable to foster skillful strategies of large-scale cooperation and will thus squander the amazingly precious opportunity we’ve been given by the cosmos.

16: What do you value the most?

Being able to appreciate the experience of being a conscious entity in this world and communicate with others about it.

17: Famous last words?

Duuhh…me inbred.

Matt Carlson has contributed to various projects over the ears including Bonus, The Parenthetical Girls and Oregon Painting Society. His stunning and explorative solo work is recently exemplified in ‘Gecko Dream Levels’ on Gift Tapes. As one half of Golden Retriever (with Joanathan Sielaff), Root Strata is pleased to present their debut LP ‘Light Cones‘, due out September 13th.

Q&A – Roe Enney 2

1: Analog or Digital?
Analog-flume

2: What time did you wake up today?
7:49am

3: Last thing you read?
The Dead Sea Scrolls’ Calendrical texts

4: Whats your first memory?
My first memory has always been of a car fashioned for left-hand
traffic but pulled over on the right side of a chaotic, crowded city
street. The door swings open, and I notice how the car is low to the
ground. Long legs of a white-fur clad woman stretch out…

5: Tea Or Coffee?
Coffee – helps limit the daydreaming at work

6: Last thing you cooked?
Hot Buttered Toast

7: If you’re reborn who or what would you like to be?
If possible, I would like to be reborn as my own grandchild

8: What inspires you?
Construction workers

9: Last record you played?
Monoton – Monotonprodukt 07

10: Favorite piece of musical equipment?
My headless Hondo Alien electric bass. Being so treblely, it can act
as a sort of guitar/bass hybrid and works well with all kinds of
pedals.

11: Last movie you saw?
The Godfather Pt. 3

12: Who do you love?
The one and only who takes me to 3 Waves synth shop

13: Do you have any pets?
A smoke gray feline named Gallois, an impeccable, hungry street cat, a Prince

14: Are you useful?
I try to be as useless as possible, that way no one will start
thinking they can use me

15: Biggest fear?
The ladiesroom at Anthology when I’m closing up at night

16: What do you value the most?
Freedom

17: Famous last words?
Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.

Roe Enney’s fantastic new tape ‘DAMNATIO MEMORIAE’ is part of the new batch of Phaserprone basement spook that’s out now. Grab while you can.

Q&A – Father 4

1: Analog or Digital?
People have done all kinds of great things with both.

2: What time did you wake up today?
7:55am

3: Last thing you read?
Return from the Stars by Stanislaw Lem

4: Whats your first memory?
It’s not clear, probably being aware of wearing pajamas, but my early days didn’t seem chronological.

5: Tea Or Coffee?
Both. I tried yerba mate for the first time recently and it was good, especially on a cold sunny day at the beach.

6: Last thing you cooked?
Steak.

7: If you’re reborn who or what would you like to be?
I’d like to know who my distant relatives were, so I’d be reborn 1,000 years ago in their village.

8: What inspires you?
The big picture.

9: Last record you played?
Biggie – Life After Death

10: Favorite piece of musical equipment?
Hammered Dulcimer. Easily the most fun and satisfying instrument I’ve tried learning.

11: Last movie you saw?
The Warriors.

12: Who do you love?
I’m not a lover.

13: Do you have any pets?
No.

14: Are you useful?
Yeah.

15: Biggest fear?
Whatever it is once it happens it probably won’t be that bad.

16: What do you value the most?
I feel pretty lucky and I value being able to lead a healthy, independent life.

17: Famous last words?
Time to die.

Pennsylvania bred, current San Francisco resident Father’s debut tape will be out this month.

Q&A – Arrow Kleeman 0

1: Analog or Digital?

Definitely both, a good tool is a good tool. There is usefulness in both formats, although I seem to be avoiding Digital more and more.

2: What time did you wake up today?

I have two furry alarm clocks, one tan and one grey, that scream at me if I don’t feed them by 8:30 a.m… even on Sunday.

3: Last thing you read?

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. I bought it for a friend whom I exchange science fiction novels with from time to time. I had never heard of it and it was number one on several top 100 lists, so I had to read it too. I don’t think I would ever put it above Dune or anything by Philip K. Dick, but it is a page turner.

4: What’s your first memory?

I remember wearing a huge hand painted paper crown my mother made for me on my first birthday, and all my presents arriving in my oversized, yellow Tonka dump truck.
Good times!

5: Tea Or Coffee?

Tea with milk and honey all the way. Coffee just gives me the shakes.

6: Last thing you cooked?

Soft-boiled eggs and hot sauce. So fast, so easy…sooo good.

7: If you’re reborn who or what would you like to be?

One of the big cat’s.

8: What inspires you?

Good people and knowing that there is more to existence than the mould others would have me slip into.

9: Last record you played?

Apollo – Atmospheres and Soundtracks by Brian Eno with Daniel Lanois and Roger Eno (1983).

10: Favorite piece of musical equipment?

I would have to say my acoustic guitar. It keeps me grounded and is pure despite it not being a particularly good quality guitar. I love it unconditionally.

11: Last movie you saw?

I saw Jane Eyre in the theater last weekend. It was very well done despite the hyper drama that sometimes comes with period pieces.

12: Who do you love?

I love my girlfriend Melissa, my family, and my good friends who forgive my past and future quirks (hopefully).

13: Do you have any pets?

Two cats, Luka and Bungee (my furry alarm clocks). Oh yes…I love them too!

14: Are you useful?

That’s a good question…

15: Biggest fear?

I am way more than a little scared of swimming in the ocean. It is a beautiful beast and an awesome force far outside predictability and control.

16: What do you value the most?

My free will.

17: Famous last words?

Ummmm….

Arrow Kleeman (formerly Lilienthal) is a Brooklyn based visual artist / musician. His debut Root Strata release Phase Reps & Builds is out now and should be available via our distributors soon!

Q&A – Ilyas Ahmed 1

1: Analog or Digital?
analog static with some digital haze

2: What time did you wake up today?
5:45 am

3: Last thing you read?
shelter by jayne anne phillips

4: Whats your first memory?
being underwater

5: Tea Or Coffee?
coffee, most days

6: Last thing you cooked?
roasted tofu stuffed with chopped kale / mushrooms / garlic / brown rice with a red miso sauce

7: If you’re reborn who or what would you like to be?
a piece of string

8: What inspires you?
love & electricity

9: Last record you played?
king tubby’s “meets rockers uptown”

10: Favorite piece of musical equipment?
the fingernails on my right hand

11: Last movie you saw?
some kenneth anger films late last night

12: Who do you love?
erin, my friends & family, some others

13: Do you have any pets?
not anymore

14: Are you useful?
doubtfully

15: Biggest fear?
being eaten by a shark & being left behind

16: What do you value the most?
being one with nothingness

17: Famous last words?
see you on the other side

Ilyas Ahmed has lived all over the world, but currently calls Portland, Oregon home. His latest release, a Record Store Day split 7″ w/ Steve Gunn is available from Immune. His next full length, With Endless Fire, is set to be released sometime this summer.

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