ErstQuake 2005

Jesse · September-23rd-2005, 10:54 PM

Here you go, tell it.

Jon Abbey · September-24th-2005, 02:55 AM

I'm pretty burnt right now, but it was really nice meeting a bunch of people from here and IHM that I never had before, not that I had so much time to talk.

off to sleep, back at it tomorrow...

Jon Abbey · September-26th-2005, 11:24 AM

so, minus a few technical snafus which mostly just slowed things down at the end of each night, I thought this went really really well, probably the most successful of the four fests I've done in NY (two AMPLIFYs, two ErstQuakes), certainly in terms of breadth. again, thanks to all who supported us and made this possible, you know who you are.

Brian Olewnick · September-26th-2005, 11:35 AM

One key thing, from an audience standpoint, was the set-up of the venue: seats on two sides of the performing space, one side tiered, capable of seating 60 or so but feeling even more intimate. It reduced the amount of periphery noise you get, for example, at the rear of any Tonic crowd and allowed everyone there to closely follow the sets. It also encouraged a good deal of socialization between sets--nice all around. Add in a good sound system and a handful of half-decent musicians and you're ready to go.

Great series of sets last night aside, arguably, from the problematic Ottavi/Korber performace, about which I imagine we'll hear more. Most pleasant "surprise" for me was Garcia/Unami--totally different from anything else presented and extremely--oddly--beautiful.

More later...

antboy · September-26th-2005, 11:39 AM

[QUOTE= problematic? [/QUOTE]

julien?!
brian, those two words don't go together!!

Other Steve · September-26th-2005, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antboy

julien?!
brian, those two words don't go together!!

I can think of perhaps 70-something people who might disagree with you now.

P.S. Hi.

Jon Abbey · September-26th-2005, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Olewnick

One key thing, from an audience standpoint, was the set-up of the venue: seats on two sides of the performing space, one side tiered, capable of seating 60 or so but feeling even more intimate. It reduced the amount of periphery noise you get, for example, at the rear of any Tonic crowd and allowed everyone there to closely follow the sets. It also encouraged a good deal of socialization between sets--nice all around. Add in a good sound system and a handful of half-decent musicians and you're ready to go.

they asked me and Tim if we'd like to do a monthly showcase there, which could be really cool, although neither of us needs another thing on our plate, so we'll see.

antboy · September-26th-2005, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Other Steve

I can think of perhaps 70-something people who might disagree with you now.

P.S. Hi.

Hi,
what did he do? other than blow the speaker...?

Vince Kargatis · September-26th-2005, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Olewnick

Great series of sets last night aside, arguably, from the problematic Ottavi/Korber performace, about which I imagine we'll hear more. Most pleasant "surprise" for me was Garcia/Unami--totally different from anything else presented and extremely--oddly--beautiful.

The Garcia/Unami performance made the fest for me, really the only music that made me think "wow, that was something special" and left me uplifted at its end for having heard it. Jon, if you happen to be taking any votes, that's the one I want to have make the ErstLive cut. Taku wins my MVP award.

Overall, I have to admit mild disappointment, perhaps because I was expecting more instances of the reaction I note above. There seemed to me a bit too much run-of-the-mill-ness to many of the sets (not all, and not always, but enough to disappoint me). That and I felt that too many of the performances spent too much time in the "noise" realm, which I'm not an overt fan of - with high volumes, I find it hard to note interesting events (and suspect that there are fewer created), and the energy and viscerality don't make up for that lack for me. There seemed to me a relative dearth of "human-level"/conversational medium volumes, which I missed.

I'll review individual sets later - I did like several to varying degrees (some very much), disliked a couple, mixed reactions to a few - but only one of 15 struck me as special, and I was hoping for more.

Vince Kargatis · September-26th-2005, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

only one of 15 struck me as special, and I was hoping for more.

I should probably note, in case some think that expectation may be unfair, that I'm perhaps spoiled by the Erstwhile catalog, which benefits from lots of consideration, auditing, and "QA" in ways that of course live performances cannot. But I think I have gotten that uplifted-feeling a bit more often at other multi-day festivals I've been too, so it's not too unfair I think. I'm still trying to figure out, though, how if any my judgmental criteria might differ in ways important to the above when reacting to an eai performance vs another kind. Not really sure...

And of course I allow for the possibility (even likelihood) that I'd react quite differently to some of the sets if I heard them again.

Sergio Zamora · September-26th-2005, 03:36 PM

Nice to see a post by Other Steve.

What was Unami playing in that Garcia/Unami set?

Vince Kargatis · September-26th-2005, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergio Zamora

What was Unami playing in that Garcia/Unami set?

Laptop, motorized twirly objects, a metal bowl on a vibrating speaker, and pen taps on the laptop case.

Still jazzed about that set.

Jon Abbey · September-26th-2005, 04:00 PM

the frontrunner for an ErstLive is the Korber/Barnes from the middle night, a couple of the other groups (Keith/Julien, Greg/David/Sean) I'd like to do fullfledged CDs of.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

There seemed to me a relative dearth of "human-level"/conversational medium volumes, which I missed.

come on, four of the five sets yesterday fit that description.

I think it's important to keep in mind that this isn't/wasn't an AMPLIFY festival, it was an ErstQuake, meaning it was a combined aesthetic of myself, Tim and Chris, all of whom have pretty different perspectives and interests within the music. this fest was overall geared to the younger demographic within this scene, both the musicians and the audience. I think it was really successful in what it was going for, but it doesn't surprise me that you (Vince) were a bit disappointed, knowing what I do of your taste.

Other Steve · September-26th-2005, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergio Zamora

Nice to see a post by Other Steve.

I was convinced by several people that my self-imposed disappearance was an overreaction to my perception of overly narcissistic posting behavior on my own part.

Besides, I missed you. Especially last night, when I was shielding my ears from Ottavi/Korber, and thinking that at that very moment I could be seeing El Tri. (No lie.)

Back on topic, I actually very much enjoyed the Ottavi/Korber. I also thought Rowe/Wastell was breathtaking, and Wastell/Barnes/Nakamura contained some of the strongest playing of the fest from the three participants in question, Tim in particular. Overall, for me, the third night is where I felt most things really clicked into place.

There were a few sets that didn't work as well as I might have anticipated (including one very prominent one that was buggered by technical difficulties) and only one set I outright disliked. I've got a review coming in the November Wire, and will go into much greater detail at that time.

Excellent piece on Mark Wastell and his London cohorts in the October Wire; I don't have the issue, but I've seen the article. Didn't get the byline, however, so I can't tell you who wrote it.

Jon Abbey · September-26th-2005, 04:18 PM

Clive Bell, I believe. I haven't seen it myself yet.

Vince Kargatis · September-26th-2005, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Abbey

come on, four of the five sets yesterday fit that description (vk: mid-level volume).

I should have clarified that I was distinguishing between soft, mid, and loud. And it wouldn't surprise me if we differ in where we set those boundaries. In any case, I'd say the Kelley/Daniel/Meehan was chiefly in the soft category, aside from the crescendo towards the end. And it was my favorite night, so...

I look forward to attendees rating/ranking the shows, I expect interesting differences.

MRS · September-26th-2005, 07:39 PM

--Colley/Lescalleet
--getting to know Martin
--Barnes/Nakamura/Wastell
--Colley
--meeting Alastair
--just seeing Unami's role unfold in both sets
--Rowe/Wastell
--Barnes/Korber
--sitting next to Keith the last day, talking about Howard Skempton and soccer
--Ottavi/Workman
--Rowe/Ottavi (edited, see below, I remembered this was the telethon set, sorry for the retraction, still delirious)
--Ottavi/Korber

. . .pretty much in that order reflecting upon all the stuff that really grabbed me around the neck. This could and will all change except for the Colley/Lescalleet, Colley, and Barnes/Nakamura/Wastell. The Rowe/Wastell was really memorable too.

crawjo · September-26th-2005, 07:49 PM

Unfortunately I missed the last night, as I mentioned in the eai thread, but I would rank what I heard in the following order:

1. Rowe/Ottavi - for me this was the most interesting and moving of the performances
2. Wastell/Barnes
3. Nakamura/Meehan/Unami
4. Colley/Lescalleet
5. Korber/Barnes
6. Rowe/Nakamura
7. Rowe/Korber
8. Colley
9. Ottavi/Workman
10. nmperign/Lescalleet

Sounds like I missed a nice third night, but for my health it was probably best for me to get home and get some rest. All in all, though, I had a great time and really enjoyed having the chance to hang out with some fine people. Thanks to Jon and everyone else involved for putting this together.

MRS · September-26th-2005, 07:50 PM

I've already failed to mention Rowe/Nakamura, awesome set. And then Toshi telling me that 40% of Wrigley was "red" when he recently caught a Birds game there.

MRS · September-26th-2005, 07:59 PM

. . .not to downplay meeting Steve and Vince!!!

Jesse · September-26th-2005, 08:02 PM

Steve, seeing you back here is a sight for sore eyes.

MRS · September-26th-2005, 08:12 PM

. . .feel free to discount everything I've brought up as amidst my current delirium it's subject to change. Seriously the Colley Lescalleet, oh my god. Rare are my standing o's. How about when Jason showed him that copper strand and Joe put his hand through his hair OH MY GOD

sure the theatrics of it all (something I really tend to shy away from) plays a huge role, but still, JESUS FUCK

Jon Abbey · September-26th-2005, 08:26 PM

MRS · September-26th-2005, 08:27 PM

edit: sorry, just my opinion, but I thought the Rowe/Ottavi was totally lame. The first 5-7 minutes were so auspicious but I wasn't into it at all. Just my humble opinion in hindsight.

MRS · September-26th-2005, 08:32 PM

Tell me someone got a picture of Ottavi's first karate chop. I liked that set.

Jon Abbey · September-26th-2005, 08:44 PM

that first one was Ottavi and Korber, this is Colley and Lescalleet...

Jon Abbey · September-26th-2005, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crawjo

Rowe/Ottavi - for me this was the most interesting and moving of the performances

I think I agree with this, I really find the dynamic between those two captivating, as we also got to see in the discussion session earlier that day. there were other sets that were more successful in and of themselves, but this is the combo I'm the most looking forward to working with in the future.

Gary Sisco · September-27th-2005, 08:19 AM

Sorry I missed yet another gathering. This time there is a consolation prize, however. The Tomas Korber tour with Sean Meehan, Toshimaru Nakamura, Taku Unami, Barry Weisblat in various combinations is doing a show, to my amazement, in Burlington tomorrow night. I shall be there, dammit! :-) Aside from Korber I think the others on the bill in Burlington are Toshi and Taku. I can't believe they're playing Burlington.

From JC alone there'll be four going. We'll likely double the crowd! :-0

Vince Kargatis · September-27th-2005, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Abbey

I think it was really successful in what it was going for, but it doesn't surprise me that you (Vince) were a bit disappointed, knowing what I do of your taste.

As I do remain surprised a bit, even after the fact, I'm curious about this. Is it just my lack of affection for "noise", or were there other musical aspects to the performances (either expected beforehand or played out during) that lead you to not be surprised? I'm not asking this as a personal question - reading some comments on IHM about it certainly reveal differences of opinion from mine on several sets, so I'm curious if you have identified some characteristics from the music in the festival that are relevant vis-a-vis my tastes as you know them.

Jon Abbey · September-27th-2005, 10:39 AM

I'm on my way out the door to Baltimore with Keith, so just a quick answer, I'll be back tomorrow afternoon.

as I said before, it was geared towards a younger demographic, both in the audience and in the musicians. part of the idea was just to give me a sense of how some of these younger musicians I haven't seen much before react to these kind of situations, and what kind of range they have in a multi-day fest like this. there wasn't a really comfortable working combo in the festival, even Keith and Toshi have just recently broken into this new area as a duo and are trying to figure that out for themselves. I think 8 of the 15 sets were premieres, and a few more have only played together once or twice. nmperign/Lescalleet would have been comfortable as a horns/Jason set, but they chose instead to go with an all-electronic set. obviously there's overlap between the posters here and IHM, but I expect the reactions on IHM to be much more positive as they come in than the ones here.

another thing that's important to keep in mind is that the individual sets don't exist in a vacuum. for instance, if Dion/Julien had been on their own bill, I'm sure they would have played a set closer to misenlian territory, but Julien wanted to do three very different sets, so he planned it the way it came out. the rankings you guys have been doing are interesting shorthand responses, but some longer overall reactions would be much more interesting to me personally.

to try to answer your question more specifically, this festival isn't/wasn't like other ones you've seen before (specifically in its interdependence of the sets), and I think you're judging it through a slightly different prism than what it was aiming for. wait and read some other reactions and I think you'll see what I mean a little better, hopefully.

off to Baltimore, back tomorrow, later...