Pen & Mallet

aboombong: admixture; now on soundcloud, what you got?

2012-01-15T08:58:00.000-08:00

I meant to get this up sooner, but life keeps me busy. The aboombong admixture e.p. is now also up on soundcloud, which is really a perfect venue for the collaborative aspects of the project. Contributions are already starting to trickle in and I have begun working on the admixs. If you are a soundcloud user, you can follow the progress of the project there and watch for the final release of the admixs over at aboombong's bandcamp page, where things will be released cc-attribution, share-alike, non-commercial.

admixture by aboombong

aboombong - admixture

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Starting the new year with a new release, admixture, a two-track, interactive e.p. from aboombong. With the exception of a little harmonica, this one is all percussion. The interactive element here is this: I am sending solicitations for additional elements for each track to my musician friends...and will accept them as well from those of you out there that feel inclined; I will take submitted additions to the songs and I will combine them into new versions: not remixs, admixs. If you are interested in participating...put together your contribution and then leave a comment or send me a note here (click on the link that says "For all other inquiries, click here") and we'll figure out how I can retrieve your contributions. No complicated rules, but remember, your contribution will be combined with things you haven't heard. Oh, and I don't want any samples of already released material. Contributions should be something you created from scratch.

Artist: aboombong
Album: admixture
Style: shoegaze, drone-rock, idm, psychedelic, dream pop
Features: percussion, harmonica, effects.
&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://aboombong.bandcamp.com/album/admixture"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;admixture by aboombong&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

As always, this one is a pay what you want release. All proceeds go to more music.

Walking in a Stranger Haven

2011-10-17T06:48:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note this morning.
Found a nice little mix over at A Stranger Haven featuring Never Been to Konono by aboombong. There are many worthy mixes at the haven for you. Show some love.

Update: nice review of the first azwarm release over at recent music heroes...but I will note that azwarm is an ongoing project. May have a new one out soon.

atlatl - the gratification of ambition

2011-10-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

A quick one before I have to put the baby to bed. Friend of the show atlatl has a new one up on bandcamp. Worth your time if you like the abstract sound art.

The gratification of ambition by atlatl

In news, aboombong's next is coming along slowly but surely, and the next dustdevil & crow is in the works.

Dynamo Stairs - Worm Separators and Guides

2011-09-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

A friend of the show post today with some more songs from Saxon, Switzerland's Dynamo Stairs (aka David Liso from Choke and Splayfeet), now available on his soundcloud page. If you like these teasers go to Eversore.com for much more from David (dig around, tracks to listen to and lots of information and photos - you can even use paypal to support the artist).

Worm Stars Separators And Guides tracks by Dynamo Stairs - David Says:"3 exclusive tracks from Dynamo Stairs' 2008 album 'Worm Stars Separators And Guides'"

Outtakes by Dynamo Stairs- David says: "Old Dynamo Stairs tracks written between 1993 and 1995! Were supposed to be tried out and performed by Mesmerise in Italy, but never quite made it ..."

Enjoy.

aboombong - Taking Blue Mountain By Stages (with dustdevil & crow)

2011-08-26T09:17:00.000-07:00

Much of the discourse musicians have with fans is about the creative process. "Where do you get your ideas?" or "How did you get it to sound like that?" Usually, the musician doesn't have much to say on that front or comes off as pretentious and boring. I am hoping to avoid that with this post as I take you through a journey towards a completed song included on the latest dustdevil & crow release, ...and chuang tzu dreamed that he was me, which is officially coming out September 1st. The song is one that was initiated by aboombong, and developed by the whole crew in stages. The progression provides, to me, a nice view of the collaborative process. In this case, one that could not have occurred in an earlier era as the members of the group are spread out around the globe.

The journey begins with a song from the 2nd dustdevil & crow release, while speaking softly you can hear the insects sing. The song is titled Broken Skin and goes like this:&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://bendle.bandcamp.com/track/broken-skin"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;broken skin by dustdevil &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; crow&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

In the process of creating this track, and before we had the wonderful violin work of rob tarana, I created a drone as a background. We never used it, but I liked the way it sounded. The drone was created from the guitars already included on the track. Here they are by themselves:&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://aboombong.bandcamp.com/track/gathering-supplies"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Gathering Supplies by aboombong&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Here is the drone that was left on the cutting room floor: &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://aboombong.bandcamp.com/track/shimmerning-base-camp-2"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Shimmerning (base camp) by aboombong&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

When it came time to do the next dustdevil & crow release, I remembered liking that little drone, and decided to turn it into something. Here is what I sent bendle & michael, a track I called Blue Mountain Drop:&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://aboombong.bandcamp.com/track/blue-mountain-drop-stage-one"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Blue Mountain Drop (stage one) by aboombong&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

When bendle sent it back to me, he had reworked some lyrics from an old The Door and The Window track called Rain (available on his bandcamp page). The resulting track, now Blue Mountain sounded like this:&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://aboombong.bandcamp.com/track/blue-mountain-stage-two"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Blue Mountain (stage two) by aboombong&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Then michael added his trademark wall of guitars and sent us this:&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://aboombong.bandcamp.com/track/blue-mountain-final-ascent"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Blue Mountain (final ascent) by aboombong&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Finally, with the help of nick toombs' additional guitar work, bendle's careful mixing, and mastering work by michael, we get the final song as it appears on the album still titled Blue Mountain. I decided I liked all the various steps towards this final track, so I am releasing an EP that details the journey on my bandcamp page to help promote ...and chuang tzu dreamed that he was me. You can hear the whole journey here: &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://aboombong.bandcamp.com/album/taking-blue-mountain-by-stages"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Taking Blue Mountain By Stages by aboombong&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

The rest of the dustdevil & crow album is really good too and bendle is selling physical copies on his bandcamp page...don't miss out.

Splayfeet - live August 11th, 1988

2011-07-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

Back in the 80's I was a founding member of Splayfeet. I came up with the name and pretended that I would be able to play bass and guitar. They wisely kicked me out after the 2nd rehearsal and then became one of my favorite bands. This is a video of a concert at the same venue, The Corbett Center Pit, where A.O.S. was playing in this video. The band name and the bass line from the second track are the only evidence of my involvement in the project. Splayfeet features Mark Earnest (of Dirt Communion, Mr. Vague, The Young Pros), David Liso (from Choke), Rodney Cupp (of Waltz Bop Shop, Cranky), and Jon Nicholls. Also, watch for Dave Chavez from The Jonny Cats and his bitchin' pimp hat taking care of sound. Thanks to David Liso for posting this over at the internet archive (click on the link if the embedded player doesn't work...it's been acting kinda wonky).

dustdevil & crow ...and chuang tzu dreamed that he was me

2011-06-29T06:37:00.000-07:00

The newest release from dustdevil & crow is up at bendle's bandcamp page. For this one, ...and chuang tzu dreamed that he was me, aboombong collaborated with the boys on Blue Mountain and I am quite proud of how it turned out. Physical copies of this one will also be available. Stay tuned.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://bendle.bandcamp.com/album/and-chuang-tzu-dreamed-that-he-was-me"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;...and chuang tzu dreamed that he was me by bendle&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Watch for a special bonus release related to this album soon.

aboombong - noir mix

2011-06-03T08:02:00.000-07:00

An excellent (and long) mix over on soundcloud that includes Ritualistique off of asynchronic. Nice to be included. New aboombong is in the works. Stay tuned.

Nayf presents noir by nayf

Dynamo Stairs - His Antique Thoughts

2011-05-30T06:30:00.000-07:00

An old one from the Choke front man David Liso putting himself out there as Dynamo Stairs. Circa 1988. Enjoy.

Waltz Bop Shop

2011-05-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

A bilingual interview with the smart-ass drummer from Waltz Bop Shop over at Daily Music - Cup of Sound. Also includes a video so you can look at a picture while you listen to the album "The Quartet."

azwarm - shelter

2011-05-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

A new drone piece from azwarm is up over at bandcamp. Not much to say about this one. Like the last azwarm, the piece is the result of an experiment that went both wrong and right at the same time...didn't work for the intended purpose (i.e., as part of a song I am working on for the next aboombong release), but I liked it enough that I thought it was worth sharing. 30 minutes of sonic anesthesia for your morning commute. Enjoy.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://azwarm.bandcamp.com/track/shelter"&amp;amp;amp;gt;shelter by azwarm&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Artist: azwarm
Album: shelter
Style: ambient, drone, musique concrète, minimalism, noise
Release: May 16th, 2011
Players: me - steel pan, manipulation.
Available in a variety of formats from http://azwarm.bandcamp.com (set your own price)

MSOTT Podcast

2011-05-07T08:15:00.000-07:00

A new podcast from Rachel Evans, AKA Motion Sickness of Time Travel and the stellar blog Her Beats , a blog focusing on women in electronic music. Well worth checking out.

In aboombong news, the new album is in the works and should be out by summer. Going to be quite different than the previous works, but I am excited about the way it is sounding. Also have contributed a little to the next dustdevil & crow release. I think it is going to be bendle and Michael's best yet. Should be out sometime this year, methinks. Even some talk about live shows here in the Northwest if we can pull it all together. Stay tuned.

Madrotter & Swerte: The Bandung Dubai Connection

2011-04-25T23:15:00.000-07:00

Ya'll probably remember my post about Madrotter awhile back. Well, he's got a new one out. MADROTTER and rapper/producer SWERTE have been working on this album for a few years. All the tracks were made by MADROTTER and all the raps are done by SWERTE who is a Swiss/Indonesian living and working in Dubai.

The Bandung Dubai Connection

More on SWERTE at: SWERTE: http://www.myspace.com/swertemc
And : http://www.therecipedxb.com/

More MADROTTER music: http://www.myspace.com/madrotterindonesia
http://www.myspace.com/madrotteroutofindonesia

Mark Earnest: 25 years of Anxiety

2011-04-04T07:15:00.000-07:00

25 years ago The Young Pros. did a cover of the A.O.S. song 667. The Young Pros were the band that launched the career of one of America's best kept secrets, Mark Earnest. Readers here at Pen & Mallet have met Mark before through his work with Dirt Communion, but Mark has had a long and active career fronting a variety of great bands and since 2003 has really come into his own releasing solo albums well deserving of their critical acclaim (available from the indie labels Slothrop and Unsmashable as "Mister Vague"). If you don't believe me, ask Alan Sparkhawk of Low who recorded and co-produced the album “Allergic To Everything” in 2007.

Today we have a special treat. Mark is just about due to release a new album called Beautiful Somewhere on Unsmashable Records (look for it in mid-April) and he has included his version of the A.O.S. song "Katchina," a song that has been part of his live set forever. I have put together a special Pen & Mallet ep. release that includes Mark's version of Katchina, as well as that The Young Pros. version of 667 from 25 years ago. It is hosted by the great Free Music Archive. Check it out.

Beautiful Somewhere features a great line up of collaborators including members of the Reno bands Cranium, Blunderbusst and Nancy Plays Nurse, as well as Mister Vague alumnus Marcus Mayhall. Mark will be collaborating with aboombong on a new release in the next year for something that should be quite different for both artists. Stay tuned.

You can hear more of Mark's music at Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/markearnest

Keep up with Mark on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mark-Earnest-Music/157249844333406

Here is a video of Mark doing Katchina at a recent gig.

For Nihon

2011-03-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

I don't have anything to do with this one, but I wanted you to know about it.

Unseen records is putting together a benefit CD for victims of the recent tragedy in Japan. Contributors to the project include some of the best and greatest ambient and experimental musicians working today: Ametsub (JP); Amman Abbasi (US); Alva Noto (DE); Arms and Sleepers (US); Aus (JP); Balmorhea (US); Bexar Bexar (US); Biosphere (NOR); The American Dollar (US); Clem Leek (UK); Christina Vantzou (US); Cokiyu (JP); Colin Kenniff (US); Dustin O'Halloran (US); Ex-Confusion (JP); Goldmund (US); Hammock (US); Harold Budd (UK); Helios (US); Hollie Kenniff (US); Jon Hopkins (UK); Joe Minadeo (US); Jonsi and Alex (IS); Last Days (UK); Little Phrase (JP); Max Richter (UK); Near The Parenthesis (US); Nils Frahm (DE); Olafur Arnalds (IS); Peter Broderick (US); Rafael Anton Irisarri (US); Rhian Sheehan (NZ); Rob Simonsen (US); Robin Guthrie (UK); Ryan Teague (UK); Ryuichi Sakamoto (JP); Sawako (JP); Taylor Deupree (US); Ulrich Schnauss (DE).

"For Nihon" features some of the premier names in ambient / experimental music and 100% of the profits from the sale of this album will be donated to the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund set up by New York's Japan Society.

Looks to be a great collection. Check it out and support the effort.

Here's a preview:For Nihon - compilation sampler to benefit the Japan earthquake by Keith Kenniff

Eco Monsters and Broken Things

2011-03-19T16:55:00.000-07:00

A quick friend of the show post today with a current events theme. An old friend from Albuquerque, Christina from elephant, has a nifty new project she is doing with her sons that you should check out and support. It is called Eco Monsters, an attempt to turn our collective fears about how we are transforming our world into positive energy through art. It lets you participate by contributing either art or money. Christina has personal connections to Japan and promises that she and her sons will "find a creative way for this art project to benefit the victims of the earthquake and tsunami." More information is available through the project's kickstarter site (watch the video at kickstarter to get the full context).

This isn't all Christina is up to these days. Check out her photography and her latest songs/videos. Here's one hand picked by Christina for your viewing pleasure: Broken Things. Enjoy.

soothing sounds for baby

2011-03-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

Back in September of last year, Marc Weidenbaum over at disquiet posted a sampler of ambient music put together by some of his friends from LuvSound in honor of his then newly arrived baby titled Soothing Sounds for Baby. The title, of course, was inspired by the classic work from the early 1960's by Raymond Scott. While I thoroughly enjoy both of these collections, I have found that they don't quite do the trick for my newly arrived baby. But with their inspiration, I have been searching for baby soothing sounds far and near. The search afar has come up with some sensuously soothing finds including Quiet Evenings, Bing Satellites, Darren Harper, and Meczûp. From the search nearer afield, I have put together a mix of some of the more soothing sounds from aboombong, psychic enemies network, and azwarm that entrances our little guy every time. I think the trick is rhythmic low tones and avoidance of abrupt transitions. If you have contributions to add to everyone's soothing sounds library, drop a note in the comments section here. In the mean time I thought I would share my mix with ya'll: A little trip back to the womb...enjoy.

Tracklist (about 90 minutes - wav, flac, ogg vorbis, mp3):
1) valis from valis by psychic enemies network
2) I feel from P.E.N. by psychic enemies network
3) Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, & Wang Hongwen in Dahomey from amnemonic by aboombong (edit)
4) of so many from P.E.N. by psychic enemies network (edit)
5) gnomonic from valis by psychic enemies network (edit)
6) drag along behind from asynchronic by aboombong
7) come crumbling from valis by psychic enemies network
8) in its streets (aboombong remix) bonus track from P.E.N. by psychic enemies network
9) noon from amnemonic by aboombong
10) in this city from P.E.N. by psychic enemies network (edit)
11) Trinidad from a morning's work by azwarm

teenage wearwolves- live in Santa Fe

2011-03-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

A couple of videos featuring Kenta, from The Jonny Cats. These were recorded recently at El Corazon in Santa Fe, NM. Enjoy.

Teenage Werewolves at Corazon #2 from Santa Fe Pulse on Vimeo.

Teenage Werewolves at Corazon from Santa Fe Pulse on Vimeo.

Don't forget you can support our work here at Pen & Mallet by purchasing something from aboombong , psychic enemies network, or azwarm, (name your own price) or making a donation via a "donate" button here at Pen & Mallet.

atlatl - now on bandcamp

2011-02-28T08:32:00.000-08:00

Now you can get your noise on with atlatl on bandcamp. Here's the latest release. Hard copies are available...and have stunning artwork. Enjoy.

Don't forget you can support our work here at Pen & Mallet by purchasing something from aboombong , psychic enemies network, or azwarm, or making a donation via a "donate" button here at Pen & Mallet.

¡para!helion - Harper's Bizarre Film Fest

2011-02-22T00:25:00.000-08:00

The last of the CDr's that Dave shared with me this winter is up today. This one is ¡para!helion as it existed before I started playing with them. One long track recorded live. Liner notes on the disc are as follows: "Harpers Bizarre Film Fest-O 1/10/97 -> Mono. Produced by Nobody. Special tech supports Radioshack corp of AM; Chinese Slave Labor Kingpins since 1959."Can't really tell you anything beyond that. Dave and Jeff with Chris on hand drums. Enjoy.

Don't forget you can support our work here at Pen & Mallet by purchasing something from aboombong , psychic enemies network, or azwarm, (name your own price) or making a donation via a "donate" button here at Pen & Mallet.

once and again - minus four - in stereono

2011-02-15T07:28:00.000-08:00

The last blotter related for the time being (until Dave sends me more tunes), Once and Again - Minus Four - in Stereono is an eclectic collection of blotter tracks and improvisations from the original line-up of ¡para!helion. This one has everything from outright noise to mellow prettiness. Up next will be a live album by this original ¡para!helion line-up. Enjoy.

Don't forget you can support our work here at Pen & Mallet by purchasing something from aboombong , psychic enemies network, or azwarm, (name your own price) or making a donation via a "donate" button here at Pen & Mallet.

sludge the butcher

2011-02-05T13:45:00.000-08:00

Another release from Jeff and Dave recorded in the 1990's, Sludge the Butcher. Some longer trippier tracks alongside some shorter odder ones on this release...in the end it all blurs into one beautifully incoherent whole. This one has a lot more sampling & tape manipulation/outright noise on it than Songs for Mommy but manages some definite ¡para!helion like passages as well. Whereas touchstones for Songs for Mommy might include Half Machine Lip Moves era Chrome, this one is much closer to territory opened up by The Residents or Negativland. Very much a DIY gem for the fan of outsider music. Enjoy.

Don't forget you can support our work here at Pen & Mallet by purchasing something from aboombong , psychic enemies network, or azwarm, or making a donation via a "donate" button here at Pen & Mallet.

blotter - songs for mommy (a ¡para!helion side project)

2011-01-27T10:30:00.000-08:00

Well folks, if you are reading this, it means that your humble host is now a daddy. In anticipation of the upcoming event, I have prepared a few posts ahead of time so that I can get you that exclusive DIY music you want with a single click. Given that motivation, this one seemed the most obvious place to start.

Songs for Mommy is the brainchild of Jeff from ¡para!helion and features an eclectic set of musical experiments in collaboration with David Chapman and others. Recorded in Albuquerque in the 90's with a few live shows under various names (including Blotter), I was given permission by David to share it with you when I saw him on a brief holiday visit to New Mexico. A couple more CD's worth of these excursions coming in the near future as I focus on feeding, burping, changing, and sleeping. Enjoy.

Last year was, truly, the most productive year of my life. Given the two aboombong albums, an azwarm album, the boomdispenser remixs, and collaboration on the DUSTdevil & crow sophomore album, that would be true if life were just about music. But last year also saw completion of my Ph.D. and, the beginnings of the most important production of my life, my beautiful son. I have been a truly blessed individual of late. Random donations for the little one's music education are gladly accepted via the "donate" button here at Pen & Mallet.

motion sickness of time travel

2011-01-13T18:48:00.000-08:00

A quick recommendation for the first post of the new year. I have really been enjoying this one woman project lately. If you like aboombong, or psychic enemies network, or azwarm, you should enjoy Motion Sickness of Time Travel. There are 9 "name your price" releases over at her bandcamp page. Each one is as good as the last. Here's a sample.

More, including videos, available here: http://motionsicknessoftimetravel.blogspot.com/