the sound of wall (follow-up)

in spite of the rain (an element which frightens LA folk into a state of non-being) the "sound of wall" opening was a success! we dedicated our improvised demonstrational performance to the french composer Luc Ferrari. Just so happened that feb. 5th was his birthday, so we just put the elements together. unfortunately, the piece was not recorded, but was titled in a very on a very Ferrari hinge "Presque bien avec strings". here are some photos and info:

“the sound of wall”
by: (knee shy)

The sound of wall was built specifically for installation at Origami Vinyl. When faced with creating a piece for an audio driven environment. (knee shy) took a peek into our own sound inclinations and interests. The resulting product was this assemblage.

As both sound-makers and listeners, we found a common focus on some of the worlds heavier, concept/theory based sounds and the purveyors of... also referred to with such tags as: experimental composition, new music, 20th century composition; and includes such names as: John Cage, Henry Cowell, Christian Wolff, Glenn Branca, etc.

However, when put to the masses, ideas in this realm sometimes succumb under their own weight and sink in terms of general interest. Even from the stand point of being fans of the theories and methods employed, we agree that waxing on and on over the subject is a terrific way to be labeled as extremely boring.

In answer to resolving our hang-ups with the over-intellectualizing that can so easily turn off interest, we have tried a combination of the above mentioned with our natural (knee shy) penchant for interactivity and light heartedness.

For “the sound of wall” (an obvious and satirical reference to the amplification system once employed by the Grateful Dead) we have created an interactive “non-traditional music instrument”. It is a device containing many elements which lead to instant experimentation and composition, extended technique, and other forms of non-traditional instrument use.

The intentional lack of elegance in the aesthetic qualities of “the sound of wall” are reflective of our trust and love for the d.i.y. mentality, and how it is very possible to experiment and build on a higher academic pattern of concept with a homespun adjustment.

We welcome questions, comments, and for anyone who feels inclined to “play” the sound of wall.

(knee shy)= j. shelley harrison + jeremy kennedy

Special Thanks to:
Origami Vinyl, Lone Horn, Yosuke Kitazawa, Adam Reese, Jamie for helping us get this stuff over here, and the person who hated that piano enough to give to us.