(knee shy) - "(a)Tonal Destruction's the Only Solution" - Now Available

FMSMPRC Presents:
(a)Tonal Destruction’s the Only Solution
By: (knee shy)
Format: limited edition CD-r in one of a kind handmade packaging
Catalog #: FMSMPRC26

In early 2010 (knee shy), the chosen moniker of the collaborative workings of Los Angeles based artists j. shelley harrison and jeremy kennedy, presented an art/sound installation titled “the Sound of Wall” at Origami Vinyl, a record store/performance space in LA’s Echo Park community.

The piece itself was essentially a large wall mounted string instrument built specifically for the space. The 7-section unit contained in total 111 strings, some strung properly and others prepared with a variety of objects. Amplified both electrically and naturally, it filled the roll of several traditional instrument variants, and encouraged the use of extended technique and improvisation.

“(a)Tonal Destruction’s the Only Solution” was not recorded on “the Sound of Wall”, but during the process of building the piece. The creation of the piece required (knee shy) to look to a number of existing instruments for ideas and more importantly, parts and components. Subsequently, many of these instruments were altered, broken, and otherwise cannibalized by the assemblage.

One such instrument was an upright spinet piano from 1964, the main source of sound during this recording. Starting with the improper removal of the piano’s keys and ending with the cutting of each string inside the body, this field recording captures the torturous and methodic disembowel in its entirety.

Atonal blasts compound with dying chirps as a result of the physical destruction, guided with a mix of care and chaos. Armed with an array of pliers, hammers, saws, snips, and other instruments of destruction, (knee shy) programs an instant arrangement birthed as much in chance as in crafted strokes of violence.

The wood and components taken from the instrument itself have been reused by the artists as raw materials for 4 separate projects to date, including the packaging for this limited release. Other pieces of note include (knee shy)’s “the Sound of Wall”, and j. shelley harrison’s “keys to an eighty-eighth”.

The originally noted “Sound of Wall” installation’s opening event featured an improvised performance, dedicated to Luc Ferrari (whose 83rd birthday coincided with the event), played on the assemblage. (knee shy) sees this as a pre-extension of that composition, and a tribute to Ferrari’s fielding efforts.

“(a)Tonal Destruction’s the Only Solution” is now made available by FMSMPRC as a limited edition release of 30, in a variety of packaging created by the artists from materials recycled from the original piano.

Tyco Riley- (2010)

fmsmprc: myspace.com/fmsmprc

(knee shy): www.kneeshy.com

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.

"the sound of wall" by:(knee shy)

“the sound of wall”
installation + installation specific sound performance
by: (knee shy)
@ origami vinyl (1816 w sunset blvd / echo park)
Friday, February 5th
7-11pm

(knee shy) is a fun-loving art duo, and recent addition to the bulging rolodex of the Los Angeles art community. With their upcoming installation piece, “the sound of wall”, they plan to display their penchant for inclusive playfulness, as well as their love of the strange and beautiful.

The piece itself is essentially a large wall mounted string instrument to which most standard technical titles both do and do not apply. The 7 section unit contains in total 111 strings, some strung properly and others prepared with a variety of objects. The object is amplified both electrically and naturally, and fills the roll of several traditional instrument variants.

Guests are welcome to interact with the piece. For the opening of the installation, (knee shy) will also perform a sound piece composed specifically for the piece in it’s current tuning. It’s sure to be full of 4 handed plucking, bowing, string piano, and other extended technique action.

The opening event for the piece is set for Friday February 5th. Along with the scheduled performance, sounds will be spun by: Lone Horn (aaron from the Horns of Happiness) and the Origami Vinyl crew. “the sound of wall” will be on exhibition and playable at Origami Vinyl from February 5th until April 5th, during normal store hours.

"the sound of wall" process photos #2

work go well. more parts we need. more we parts we get. not much time we have before the opening is.

double/triple harp

3rd bridge bass machine

guitar donated by yosuke

great! so i was saying something about an opening...

“the sound of wall”
installation + installation specific sound performance
by: (knee shy)
@ origami vinyl (1816 w sunset blvd / echo park)
Friday, February 5th
7-11pm

the sound of wall (1)

yesterday marked the beginning of actual physical work on "the sound of wall", an upcoming installation piece by (knee shy). the piece itself is a large multi-unit, wall mounted, 111 stringed electric/acoustic instrument. the first step was to acquire piano (which showed up early thursday evening). step 2 was to destroy the piano with a myriad of saws, hammers, and other destructive implements. this was super fucking fun and sounded great! we captured the death notes on a recorder, and will be doing something with that later. step 3: salvage the needed materials from the wreckage, and step 4 starts today, which is to start building "the sound of wall". here are a few photos the remains, which now fill the apartment.

strings

keys

piano stuffings

fucking up the piano was great, and on top of that, we are able to supply parts for at least 2 physical art pieces ("the sound of wall" & a tribute piece to jazz pianist Hampton Hawes) + the recording. we have to get another one sometime, and go even further. "the sound of wall" is set to open fri. february 5th @ Origami Vinyl in echo park... we have work to do.