Killin' the Vibe

Survival Unit III live from the Hideout

I’m still waiting for permissions to come in for the recordings I gathered from the Malachi Ritscher recordings archive a few weeks back.  In the meantime, I dug out a 2007 recording from the Hideout of Survival Unit III with Joe McPhee, Fred Lonberg-Holm, and Michael Zerang.  It’s on the harmonic convergence label, and I saw it available for purchase online if you’re interested.  It’s also a nice reminder just how great the Immediate Sound series performances are.

Some great performances coming up this week at Constellation, including a Constellation-Links Hall co-presented show of dance and music. 

Finally, I got a call from a listener in DC today who has his own radio show on 89.3 FM.  If you’re out there check him out! 

30 years of Chicago Music: the Malachi Ritscher Recordings

Spires That In The Sunset Rise + Michael Zerang

Last year one of my favorite times as an intern at ESS was helping out (observing) a 3-day residency.  Kathleen Baird and Taralie Peterson of Spires That In The Sunset Rise and local improvising percussionist Michael Zerang camped out for three straight days, collaborating and recording during the day, and performing (also recording) at night.  The studio was full of instruments, a couple dozen at least, and it didn’t cease to amaze me how each of these artists would simply pick something up and make incredible sounds out of it.  Add to that Baird’s dark and aggressive vocals (“For the People”) that I imagine as being capable of demanding rain from a cloudless sky.  Some of them tend towards the folk side, creating a sound that makes me think of a procession of sinister slightly warped traveling minstrels from no where on this Earth.  Some songs are certainly strange; nevertheless, the group were surprised to hear at least one of the tunes leaning towards pop music.  I thought at least one of these belonged in a Western movie (“Meurtrimaisjamaisbrise”).  Because most of the material was performed multiple times and refined, it’s a bit different than what I typically play on this show, but for all the above reasons, I’m very happy I got to share this with you all.

Check out the new album by STITSR, Ancient Patience Wills It Again.

Next week: Health&Beauty will perform and/or hold a panel discussion live in the studio!

Improvisors at the Hideout

This week I’m playing a *gasp* released recording made at the Hideout this year (3/14/12) with Jeb Bishop, Jaap Blonk, Lou Mallozzi, and Frank Rosaly (available on Kontrans).  I am such a fan of J. Blonk, whose astounding range of vocal noises are nevertheless joyful and unpretentious.  His performances can be as much fun to watch as to listen to, and he proves that you don’t have be serious and straightfaced to be awe-inspiring. I love the resulting conversation between the performers, including Bishop’s trombone and Mallozzi’s recorded sound interjections.  Waawaaawaaa … they all speak to each other in their own ways.

No corresponding shows to announce, but you should be checking out the FREE (as in no charge) WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL this week anyway.

And a short plug for Health&Beauty’s last performance (for a while at least) with bass guitarist Toby Summerfield (with Brian Sulpizio, Ben Boye, and Quin Kirchner) at the Burlington on Thursday, September 27 at 9pm..

What to do on a rainy night in Chicago…

Second best idea: Tune in and listen to Blink. tonight at 9pm.  Caleb Wilitz of Piece of Coal Music has shared a recording from March 23, 2011 by the group composed of Dave Miller, Jeff Greene, Quin Kirchner, and Greg Ward.  It’s energetic free improvisation with some sweet rock feel courtesy of Miller. 

Third best idea: listen to it online!

Next Week: Jack Wright Trio, recorded last week at the Beat Kitchen after our EPD live remote broadcast!  Thanks so much to the Delusions for making that happen.  It really is the best thing to do on a Monday night. 

SPECIAL BROADCAST: Delusions kill the vibe at the Beat Kitchen

Next Monday, Killin’ the Vibe will be broadcasting live from the Beat Kitchen (2100 W. Belmont Ave.) bringing you the improvised sounds of Extraordinary Popular Delusions.  Stop by or tune in from 9-10pm! 

Darts and Arrows

This is my first time airing a show from the Whistler, although one of my favorite cocktail places, a difficult setting for listening to music.  However, in this recording from July 21, 2010, MacKay’s thoughtful guitar music creates a little sonic pocket that draws you in and insulates you from whatever after-work or first date chatter is happening only a few feet away.  What music is supposed to do!  Darts and Arrows consists of MacKay and Quin Kirchner (drums), Kyle Hernandez (bass), and Ben Boye (keyboard), released an album this past April, Eyes of the Carnival.  Darts and Arrows will be back at the Whistler (2421 N Milwaukee Ave) on September 4th.

Stay tuned for more details about the live broadcast from the Beat Kitchen, Extraordinary Popular Delusions, September 10th!

Extraordinary Popular Delusions

This week EPD will be at the Hideout (8/15) at 10pm!  Doing a radio show on Monday nights, I never get to go down to their regular Beat Kitchen gig, that is until September, when Killin’ the Vibe will be bringing you a special live broadcast!  Tune in this week for a preview of EPD and more details about the upcoming show.

James Falzone’s “Sighs Too Deep for Words”

This week I’m very happy to present a special extended edition of Killin’ the Vibe starting at 8:30pm.  The program will include an in-depth interview with Falzone about the spiritual facets of solo improvisation, followed by a presentation of the complete hour-long performance from ESS March 19, 2011 (available only on DVD).  Falzone will also perform the piece on August 11th at 5:30 pm at the Thirsty Ear New Music Festival at the Empty Bottle.  This is a great opportunity to hear the evolution of a single piece.