DJ Dave 3000, who was so kind as to play my as-yet unreleased track “COMETS” on his Kosmik Radiation psych show out of Madison, WI, WORT, has done it again. He spun “Floating Around” (from Backatcha, Pod People!!) and “Interlude” (from Lost Soul Island) back on August 27th and I just noticed this moment as I am a slow fan …
here’s a little piece (60 minutes worth) from my creative music / improv unit, “Floating Other“. The name has to do with the geometric alliances of players within a given personnel and also with the inclusion of elements outside the ostensible set of performing musicians.
in this first recording, the role of the “other” is handed around between myself, bassist Jef Hogan Buffa, percussionist Jennifer Ng, and an acknowledgment of the mischievous presence (a floating other?) with which Jef shares his home.
Floating Other will be performing on Wednesday June 30th at the Echo Curio,
1519 Sunset Blvd, Echo Park, CA 90026,
9pm,
with additional performances by Jack’l, Stefan Scott Nelson, and Art Terry.
For the evening of March 4 we assembled a group including Jef Hogan (electric bass), Jon Franco (drums), Jennifer Ng (percussion), Woody (acoustic guitar) and myself (acoustic wah-wah guitar).
I had one rehearsal with Jef and John (who also play bass and drums for Greg Franco’s Rough Church), one run-through with Woody, and a loose jam with Jennifer, in the few days before the show. Many of the band members had not met each other until they arrived at the venue. This is less unusual for me than might be suspected.
Viento y Agua in Long Beach is a “coffee house” with wonderful energy, constantly changing art on the walls, the occasional model skeleton, many books, and a warm and inviting stage (and sound system) which was conceived and assembled by Angie Evans. I’ve played a few shows there, by myself and also with Cricket and with Amanda, and every time I’ve felt good and played well.
This was the first time I’d played some of this material in a long time, and the first time I’d ever played some of it with a band. The two acoustic guitars kept the energy closer to the ground than usual, and the songs and improvs worked together for a change instead of fighting for space. The existence of dual percussionists also contributed to the effortless momentum of this group’s sound. We had momentum without frightful velocity.
This is an mp3 from a recent practice session of the Cantlin family supergroup: Albino Rhino. As yet, this is the only recording of theirs which is available in any way, shape, or form. They do not have a myspace page. They do not have a CD. But, like their rarely-sighted, myopic, blundering and sometimes dangerous namesake, they do exist.
This tune in particular was an improv, live to your earholes from Bethel, Vermont. They do have “actual” material, but you can not hear it, yet.
Meggan Cantlin - singing
Marc Cantlin - electric guitar
Chris Cantlin - electric bass guitar
Anthony Cantlin - drums
A while back, a local organisation called “When You Awake” (named perhaps after the tune by The Band?) which is dedicated to the celebratory perpetuation of neo-retro faux-rural style and culture (though they don’t phrase it that way) took part in a George Harrison Tribute Concert at Spaceland, to raise money for a charity intending to get music lessons to needy kids.
I had the good fortune to be in one of the bands recruited to perform: the Amanda Jo Williams band. We played three songs, with special guests including a tap-dancer and a moog-ist. The house band was SICK good!! Andy Creighton and company. Solid work - we didn’t have a single rehearsal.
I had been hoping for videos of our set to turn up, and they have not, but When You Awake has posted a recording… for the full story and the complete show, dig their site.
Meanwhile, here’s our three tunes for your consideration:
Woody Frank (guitar), Evan Strauss (bass), Scott Keil (drums), 5-Track (guitar and sing)
plus guests Jym “The Snake” Fahey (harmonica, sing), Cricket DeManuel (sing), and the mysterious Lady Die (sing on Love Buzz etc)
Longtime followers will understand that having Woody and Evan at a show is significant and awesome … some may recall certain Seattle Glass Goblins configurations, and/or nights and nights of Snoose Junction overload, let alone Neon Brown Presents / Woodlands Acoustic Orchestra / Juggler’s Challenge. (Mayhem at the Chai House, yo…) Not to mention VARIETY PACK!!
This was the first killer house party that I have encountered in the wicked and inhospitable environs of Los Angeles. Props to Amanda and Matthew for supplying the necessary good vibes to make it a reality. We had plans to hold this shindig at WHERE but WHERE is having trouble, so Amanda said, “Let’s have it in the basement! I’ll make grilled cheese!” and lo, it came to pass.
I’m very psyched about this recording, because I LOVE 2 guitars, bass, drums … We got to play some songs that I don’t usually get to play (The Gypsy’s Curse, Tacoma Motel) and we got to give Cricket a proper rocknroll band for a song or two and we got to explore the outer reaches of space and time. Dig it…
