26 March 2019: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard / Kansas / Asaf Sirkis

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard is an Australian rock band formed in 2010 in Melbourne, Victoria.^[1][2] The band consists of Stu Mackenzie (vocals, guitar, keyboards, flute), Ambrose Kenny-Smith (vocals, harmonica, keyboards), Cook Craig (guitar, vocals), Joey Walker (guitar, vocals), Lucas Harwood (bass), Michael Cavanagh (drums, percussion), and Eric Moore (drums, percussion, management). They are known for their energetic live shows and prolific recording output, having released 13 studio albums since their formation.
King Gizzard'sfull-length album, Sketches of Brunswick East, a collaboration with Alex Brettin's psychedelic jazz project Mild High Club, was released on 18 August 2017.^[47] Taking inspiration from Miles Davis' 1960 album Sketches Of Spain, as well as the band's base recording location of Brunswick East in Melbourne, it is a jazz-improvisational album. Mackenzie described the record as "perhaps representing greater changes that are happening in the wider world, and (this is) our attempt to find beauty within a place that we spend so much time", referring to the constant changes in their neighbourhood.

"Listening to Asaf Sirkis" at work, two things are immediately obvious: passion and commitment. Blessed with technical skills that are disarmingly under-played, his middle-Eastern sensibility balances the potentially volcanic with the meditative and reflective. A master of creative surprise, it’s on the edge of your seat listening when Asaf’s in town." - Dr. Bill Bruford

MoonJune Music Recommends Series:
ASAF SIRKIS " Full Moon"
22 TUNES OF PROGRESSIVE JAZZ & BEYOND
featuring One Of Today's Most Versatile And talented Drummers

Tracks selected by Leonardo Pavkovic.

Featuring Aris Daryono, Ben Waghorn, Bernard Gregor-Smith, Carl Orr, Carles Benavent, Chris Garric, Demi Garcia, Dusan Jevtovic,  Dwiki Dharmawan, Eyal Maoz, Frank Harrison, Fred T. Baker, Gabi Fortuna, Gabi Mayer, Geoff Eales, Gilad Atzmon, Guillermo Rozenthuler, James Pearson, John Turville, Kevin Glasgow, Kobi Arad, Lizzie Ball (6), Mark Wingfield, Markus Reuter, Mike Outram, Nguyên Lê, Pat Bettison, Reem Kelani, Robert Wyatt, Saat Syah, Steve Lodder, Sylwia Bialas, Tassos Spiliotopoulos, Tom Mason, Vasil Hadzimanov, Yaron Stavi. 
Asaf Sirkis by John Kelman

After establishing himself as an in-demand drummer and percussionist in his home country of Israel, Asaf Sirkis' career began an greater upward trajectory upon moving to London, England in 1999. In addition to garnering significant critical praise for his own groups - most notably his Messiaen-informed Inner Noise, with guitarist Mike Outram and organist Steve Lodder, and his Asaf Sirkis Trio, with guitarist Tassos Spiliotopoulos and bassist Yaron Stavi - Sirkis has also made important contributions to the music of other emergent artists based in the UK. Bringing a unique pan-cultural vision to reed and woodwind multi-instrumentalist Tim Garland's Lighthouse Trio, fellow Israeli expat, reed multi-instrumentalist Gilad Atzmon's Orient house Ensemble and Swiss guitarist Nicolas Meier's Group, Sirkis has also recorded with artists including reed multi-instrumentalist Klaus Gesing (Norma Winstone, Anouar Brahem), pianist Glauco Venier (Norma Winstone), guitarists Phil Robson (Partisans), pianist Gwilym Simcock (Tim Garland, The Impossible Gentlemen) and double bassist Yuri Golubev (Gwilym Simcock, Alex Hutton).

More recently, Sirkis has been working in a collaborative quartet with singer Sylvia Bialas, which also features keyboardist Frank Harrison and bassist Patrick Bettison, but perhaps most significant is his recent affiliation with New York's MoonJune Records. Sirkis made his first MoonJune appearance alongside fellow Israeli expat, bassist Yaron Stavi, on guitarist Mark Wingfield's critically acclaimed Proof of Light, but the fall of 2016 will see the percussionist's involvement with the label accelerate significantly.

Sirkis made his second MoonJune showing in September 2016 on Dwiki Dharmawan's Pasar Klewar, an ambitious double-disc set that also includes other names either already familiar or destined to become so to MoonJune fans in the coming year; in addition to Wingfield, guitarist Nicolas Meier, Yaron Stavi, Italian vocalist Boris Savoldelli and Gilad Atzmon all join Sirkis in making the Indonesian pianist/keyboardist's sophomore effort for MoonJune a truly earth-shattering, trans-cultural affair that blends unrepentant jazz improvisation with music indigenous to Dharmawan's home country.

Coming in the early 2017, the result of an intensive six days' recording in Barcelona, Spain this past winter will see no fewer than four MoonJune releases involving Sirkis: first, the percussionist joins Stavi, Wingfield and progressive trio Stick Men's touch guitarist Markus Reuter for The Stone House; following that, a collaborative trio recording with Wingfield, Reuter and Sirkis; a new Wingfield recording with Stavi and Sirkis; and, finally, a new recording from Serbian guitarist Dusan Jevtovic - whose MoonJune debut, 2014's Am I Walking Wrong?, was well-received by critics and fans alike - that will include Sirkis, in addition to fellow Serb, pianist Vasil Hadzimanov.

It's a busy year ahead for the London-based percussionist, and that's only counting recordings that have already been made. With Sirkis' remarkable ability to fit into any musical context and sound like he's been at it for his entire life, things can only look even further up for this tremendously talented, empathically intuitive and, above all, supremely musical percussionist. 


bill bruford ecm jazz jazz fusion moonjune records fusion London
 

19 March 2019: Dick Dale / KLM / Leaving Richmond

We begin tonight's show by honoring Dick Dale who just recently passed away.
From Wikipedia:

1960s

Dale began playing in local country bars where he met Texas Tiny,^[16] who gave him the name "Dick Dale" because he thought it was a good name for a country singer.^[17]
Dale is credited^{[by whom?]} as one of the first electric guitarists to employ non-Western scales in his playing. He regularly used reverb, which became a trademark of surf guitar. Being left-handed, Dale tried to play a right-handed guitar, but then changed to a left handed model.^[9] However, he did so without restringing the guitar, leading him to effectively play the guitar upside-down, often playing by reaching over the fretboard, rather than wrapping his fingers up from underneath. He partnered with Leo Fender to test new equipment, later saying "When it can withstand the barrage of punishment from Dick Dale, then it is fit for the human consumption." His combination of loud amplifiers and heavy gauge strings led him to be called the "Father of Heavy Metal".^[8] After blowing up several Fender amplifiers, Leo Fender and Freddie Tavares saw Dale play at the Rendezvous Ballroom, Balboa, California and identified the problem with creating a sound louder than the audience screaming. The pair visited the James B. Lansing loudspeaker company and ask for a custom 15-inch loudspeaker, which became the JBL D130F model, and was known as the Single Showman Amp. Dale's combination of a Fender Stratocaster and Fender Showman Amp allowed him to attain significantly louder volume levels unobtainable by then-conventional equipment.^[18]
Dale's performances at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa in mid to late 1961 are credited with the creation of the surf music phenomenon. Dale asked for and gained permission to use the 3,000 person capacity ballroom for surfer dances after overcrowding at a local ice cream parlor where he performed made him seek other venues.^[19] The Rendezvous ownership and the city of Newport Beach agreed to Dale's request on the condition that he prohibit alcohol sales and implement a dress code. Dale's events at the ballrooms, called "stomps," quickly became legendary, and the events routinely sold out.^[19]
"Let's Go Trippin'" is one of the first surf rock songs.^[20] This was followed by more locally released songs, including "Jungle Fever" and "Surf Beat" on his own Deltone label. His first full-length album was Surfers' Choice in 1962. The album was picked up by Capitol Records and distributed nationally, and Dale soon began appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show, and in films where he played his signature single "Misirlou". He later stated, "I still remember the first night we played it ("Misirlou"). I changed the tempo, and just started cranking on that mother. And ... it was eerie. The people came rising up off the floor, and they were chanting and stomping. I guess that was the beginning of the surfer's stomp."^[21] His second album was named after his performing nickname, "King of the Surf Guitar".^[22] Dale later said "There was a tremendous amount of power I felt while surfing and that feeling of power was simply transferred into my guitar". His playing style reflected the experience he had when surfing, and projecting the power of the ocean to people.^[23]
Dale and the Del-Tones performed both sides of his Capitol single, "Secret Surfin' Spot" in the 1963 movie, Beach Party, starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.^[24] The group performed the songs "My First Love," "Runnin' Wild" and "Muscle Beach" in the 1964 film, Muscle Beach Party.

The Bucket List is the collective effort of guitar extraordinaire Phil Keaggy, legendary bassist Tony Levin and rhythm master Jerry Marotta featuring 12 original instrumentals that showcase the strengths of these three musicians.
Having recorded over 60 albums since the late 1960’s, Phil Keaggy is one of the most admired guitarists in the Contemporary Christian music world. Phil’s talents have earned him two Grammy nominations as well as being a seven time recipient of the GMA Dove Award for Instrumental Album of the Year.
How many musicians can claim they recorded/toured with King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd, Yes, and let’s not forget John Lennon? Bassist and Stick player Tony Levin can and that’s barely scratching the surface of his musical biography. When Tony’s not bouncing between King Crimson and Peter Gabriel, he’s usually found on the road with The Stick Men.
For over a decade, Tony along with drummer Jerry Marotta were the rhythm section for the classic Peter Gabriel years. Jerry’s unique percussion style has graced the music of Paul McCartney, Hall & Oats, Elvis Costello, The Indigo Girls and so many others. These days, Jerry never takes a break working with The Security Project, The Marotta Brothers Band, The Fragile Fate and Flav Martin.
The genesis of this super trio can be traced back over ten years ago when Phil, Tony and Jerry first met in Woodstock for an impromptu jam session that lead to a live show and a whole lot of improvisation left in the can. Over the years the material was revisited and reworked then left to age in the barrel a little longer.
Fast forward to 2018, the recordings are given a fresh breath of air plus added tracks to formulate a collection of actual songs. The end result is executive producer Paul Grimsland finally getting to tick off a box of his Bucket List. Like a fine wine, The Bucket List has been aged to perfection and is ready for consumption from an audience thirsting for this musical delight.
Phil Keaggy – Guitars
Tony Levin – Bass/Stick
Jerry Marotta – Drums/Percussion
Executive Producer: Paul Grimsland
Produced by: KLM
Recorded at: Jersville Studio, Woodstock, NY
Dreamland Recording Studio, Woodstock, NY
Kegworth Studio, Nashville, TN
Engineers: Roman Klun, Pete Caigan, Adam Armstrong, Dylan Shad, Ariel Shafir
Engineer/Editor Extraordinaire: PTK
Mixed by: Michael Cozzi
Mastering: Chris Athens

Art Direction/Cover Design: Christine Baldelli/Lillypod Media
Photography: Edward AJAJ
Strategic Liaison: A.J. Chippero
https://tonylevin.com/road-diaries/klm-2019-shows/klm-winter-tour-2019

Subcircuits is the 6th studio album from the Los Angeles based electronic music project: leaving richmond.

A futuristic vibe while very human at the same time, creating a soundscape for your mind to traverse.

Let us soundtrack your day.

credits

released March 16, 2018

Our thanks to Leaving Richmond for providing a promo copy for tonight's show.
electronic ambient atmospheric chill chillout cinematic downtempo ethereal instrumental techno trance Los Angeles

12 March 2019: d'Voxx (DiN58) / Parallel Worlds - Tonal Paintings

The DiN ambient electronica label run by the well known UK synth artist Ian Boddy has reached the milestone of 20 years of releasing music in this year of 2019. During this time Boddy has curated DiN to bring a series of critically acclaimed albums by both well known and up and coming artists through almost 60 CD releases. It’s always particularly satisfying to give new artists a platform for their music and so it is with “Télégraphe” (DiN58) the debut album by d’Voxx.

This duo of Nino Auricchio and Paul Borg explore the post-digital landscape working within the constraints of analogue systems and the evolving phenomena of New Modular synthesis. The project has developed over the past three years through a series of acclaimed live performances at festivals and expos across Europe, which included the world premiere of a live new modular performance in 3D-Audio at the London College of Music in 2016.

Both Paul and Nino have enviable music careers in the worlds of music production, engineering, remixing and musical education that gives them a wealth of experience that they bring to bear both on stage and in the studio. “Télégraphe” unfolds over 9 tracks to create a sonic travelogue where each track segues into the next via field recordings at various subway stations throughout the world. The music both looks at the past with it’s tightly choreographed, Berlin School inspired sequence lines but wraps this in a gorgeous blanket of modern ambience. Some beautiful vintage Fender Rhodes adds to the textures via glitched up modular effects. What is most impressive though is the sheer musicality of the sequencing which is showcased in the glorious opening track “Opera”.

Even after 20 years the DiN label shows no signs of resting on it’s laurels and in promoting new acts such as d’Voxx is helping to expand the worlds of ambient electronica. 

credits

releases March 15, 2019

Composed and produced by Gaetano Auricchio and Paul Borg.
Station announcements by Jutta Bushell.
Mastered by John Webber at AIR Studios, London.
Special Thanks to Ian Boddy, Robin Rimbaud, Ben Wilson, Phelan Kane, Andreas Schneider, Ross Lamond, Jason Lim (Instruō), Larry Whelan & Luke Oxlade. 

ambient em electronic electronic music electronica chill out downtempo modular synth Sunderland

Parallel Worlds’ music is a combination of dreamy/atmospheric textures with pure analogue electronic rhythms and sequences, combining the feel of 70s electronic music with modern electronica and ambient music.

Delving deep into a ghostly landscape, Parallel Worlds make his personal journey through ambient-soundtracks music created by a selected range of synths. This personal and introspective album is composed by eight tracks which come from far away and unraveling between horror atmospheres, dark desolate landscapes and sci-fi visions. After a series of incredible albums for labels such as Shima Records and DiN, Parallel Worlds lands on Lost In It Records with an intense and visceral work ready to leave its mark in your soul.

Biography:
Parallel Worlds’ music is a combination of dreamy/atmospheric textures with pure analogue electronic rhythms and sequences, combining the feel of 70s electronic music with modern electronica and ambient music. For Parallel Worlds, melody is essential, but most important is emotional context.

Parallel Worlds are the main project of Bakis Sirros with John Sirros (and some occasional collaborators). They were originally born in 1994, but only after 1998 they started to be a part of the active greek electronic music scene.

Parallel Worlds have collaborated, so far, with established Italian ambient composer Alio Die, with the very well-known UK electronic music master Ian Boddy, and with the music professor Dave Bessell (member of the NODE synth supergroup).

Bakis Sirros also participates on some collaboration projects, the project “Interconnected” with the german musician Ingo Zobel (of DRON, Signalform, Self Oscillate, Datasette, etc.), the ambient / experimental project “Memory Geist” with the australian electronica musician Steve Law (of Zen Paradox, Starseed Transmission, Guild Of Fire, etc.).

Bakis Sirros has also teached Synthesizer Programming at an (after-high-school) public learning institution and also instructed a Workshop on Analogue Modular Synthesis in Synch Festival 2008. 

credits

released October 22, 2018

Machines used:
Yamaha CS-01, CS-5, CS-15, Roland SH-101, Novation Bassstation rack, Korg Mono/poly, Roland JX-8P, Akai
AX-80, S-950, Korg Wavestation, 03R/W

All tracks written and produced by Bakis Sirros, in Wavemountain studio, Athens, Greece, between 1995 - 1997

Mastered by Andrea Merlini
Cover Design by LaCosta
Photography by Francesco Stella

2018 - Lost In It Records 

ambient berlin school cosmic downtempo electro electronic experimental synth techno Roma