Tales From The Crate

Compilation

2010-04-01T09:09:00.000+10:30

EMF /SEAMUS

Professional Opportunities Compilation

March 24, 2010

RESIDENCIES & FELLOWSHIPS

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Harvestworks New Works Residency Program

The New Works Residency Program offers commissions of up to $4000 to make a new work in our state of the art digital media facility. The artist works with a project manager, engineer and programmer (if required). New works may include multiple channel audio or video installations, interactive performance systems, data visualization or projects involving hardware hacking, circuit bending or custom built interfaces, as well as projects that use the web. Emerging artists and artists of color are encouraged to apply. Residencies run from July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011.

Deadline: April 1, 2010

http://www.harvestworks.org/

Synapse Residency Program

The Australian Network for Art & Technology (ANAT) is calling for applications from Australian creative practitioners and science and research organisations for the 2010 Synapse Residency program. Now in its fifth round, the program is a core element of the Synapse initiative of the Australia Council of the Arts and ANAT, which enables collaboration between artists and scientists.

Deadline: April 23, 2010

http://www.synapse.net.au/

Postdoctoral Positions at New England Complex Systems Institute

The New England Complex Systems Institute (NECSI) has openings for postdoctoral appointments in the study of complex systems. In addition to general projects, there will be openings in research fields such as: Social and global systems, biological systems, cognitive systems, evolution, non-equilibrium dynamics, agent based modeling, multiscale analysis, complex systems engineering, management /organization science, and education of complex systems concepts. NECSI Postdoctoral fellows may also receive joint appointments at MIT, Harvard, or other Boston-area academic institutions.

http://necsi.edu/education/postdoc.html

EMPAC: Artist & Scholar/Researcher in Residence

EMPAC is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for both its Artist in Residence and its Scholar and Researcher in Residence programs. For full program details, guidelines and application information visit:

http://www.empac.rpi.edu/residencies/

ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Vermont Composition Workshop

A week-long workshop for composers led by Jon Appleton, with adjunct faculty Dennis Bathory-Kitsz and Ileana Perez Velázquez. The Vermont Composition Workshop (VCW) is designed for active composers who are seeking a critical ear and/or new directions for their music. It is conducted in a small setting, residency based, and accommodates three students per session. The workshops are led by the instructor selected by the participant. Individual instruction and critiques take place daily throughout the week; group discussion are held three times per week.

http://vermontcompositionworkshop.com/

UPBEAT

I’d like to alert you to the 7th annual composition course this summer as part of the “UPBEAT” International Summer Music School in the town of Milna on the beautiful Adriatic island of Brac in Croatia. The dates of the course are 8 through 17 July. The composition course in Milna consists of a series of daily group meetings with Professor Joel Hoffman. The course this year will focus on writing for an ensemble consisting of composer-performers and selected instrumental musicians from other courses in the International Summer School "UPBEAT".

Deadline: April 30, 2010

http://public.carnet.hr/hdgp/upbeat/

CALL FOR WORKS

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Metamorphoses 2010

The Métamorphoses composition competition comprises two categories:

category A for composers under the age of 28 and composition students (proving such quality) and category B for all composers of less than 50 years old who wish to compete in this category.

The competition takes place in two stages:

1. Members of the pre-selection jury receive and listen to all the competing works. Then they meet at the end of June 2010 to listen again to the best entries and choose the 5 or 6 works from category B that will be selected for the October 2010 final and published on stereo CD. This jury also elects the winner of category A, whose work will also be included on the CD.

A spatialization competition will be held during the festival L'Espace du Son in October 2010. The candidates will perform a set work chosen from the works received for the Métamorphoses competition. The jury reserves the right to decide whether this work will be included on the CD.

2. During the final of the Métamorphoses competition which will take place on 21 October 2010, the finalist composers who wish to do so can spatialize their work in public on the M&R acousmonium (loudspeaker orchestra). At the end of the evening, a jury different from the preselection jury will determine the ranking and award prizes.

Deadline: April 2, 2010

http://www.musiques-recherches.be

Eighth International Competition for Composers, Citta' di Udine

The competition will accept unpublished compositions by musicians of any nationality and of any age. In the following categories: instrumental compositions for chamber orchestra and electro-acoustic music. Previously performed compositions will be accepted. More than one composition may be submitted.

Deadline: April 30, 2010

http://www.taukay.it/

The Foundation Destellos

The Foundation Destellos, call for works for the Third Competition of Electro-acoustic Composition, open to composers and artists of any nationality, up to 50. The objectives of this competition are the promotion and development of the artistic creation in relation with new technologies. Likewise, it is an intention of the Foundation Destellos to stimulate the creativity of the young generations of artists and to provide them new routes of diffusion of their works. The first prize will be attributed by Destellos and will consist of 500 American dollars and a residence of study of Mar del Plata(Argentina). The second two prizes, consisting of collections of CD of electroacoustic music, offered by: The organization Akusma

Deadline: April 30, 2010

http://www.fundestellos.org/pageone.htm

Unique Forms of Continuity in Space: International Composition Competition and Workshop

IIC MELBOURNE 2010

To celebrate the 2010 Week of Italian Language throughout the World, during the month of October, the Italian Institute of Culture, Melbourne, and the Federazione CEMAT (Sonora supported by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and the Italian Ministry for Cultural Affairs Department for Performing Arts), will sponsor an international competition and workshop for composers.

Deadline: April 30, 2010

http://www.iicmelbourne.esteri.it/IIC_Melbourne

International Music Prize for Excellence in Performance 2010

The National Academy of Music, a Colorado public educational charity, in conjunction with the Municipal Conservatories of Neapolis and Sykies in Greece, is pleased to announce a call for submissions for the 'International Music Prize for Excellence in Performance 2010', an international competition for instrumental and vocal performers. The goal of this competition is to encourage and motivate highly talented performers of all ages and levels, from the earliest stages to professional, to persist in building a career in performance by rewarding them with recognition and honour. Each entry consists of an entry form, a video-recorded audition and an entry fee. Entrants must submit their performance in a standard DVD Video format.

Deadline: April 30, 2010

http://www.musicprizes.com

Prix Ton Bruynèl 2010

The Foundation Ton Bruynèl is pleased to announce the Prix Ton Bruynèl 2010. Every two years the Foundation intends to award a prize of 3000 Euro in order to stimulate the creation of new works. Composers of any age or nationality may submit one electroacoustic work in each category:

A: works for tape / live electronics only, maximal duration 10 minutes

B: works for tape / live electronics and one to eight instruments, maximal duration 15 minutes

C: works for mixed media, maximal duration 20 minutes

Deadline: May 5, 2010

http://www.tonbruynel.nl/prix_en.htm

T-Stick Composition

The 2010 T-Stick Composition Workshops (2010TCW) bring together five composers (any nationality, all ages) to develop new live electroacoustic solos for the soprano t-stick digital musical instrument in collaboration with Canadian composer and digital instrumentalist, D. Andrew Stewart. 2010TCW is looking for composers who have distinct proposals for the t-stick. Preference will be given to unique projects that, firstly, illustrate a wide-ranging use of the t-stick and secondly, seek to expand the performance modes of the instrument.

Deadline: July 1, 2010

http://dandrewstewart.ca/pages/tcw/2010TCW.html

Soundcrawl: Nashville

Calling all: electroacousticians, composers, musicians, sound artists, noise designers, aural engineers, audio tinkerers, etc., etc. from anywhere at any time to a call for works for SoundCrawl:Nashville 2010. We are looking for stereo works not longer than 7 minutes in AIFF format. Submitted files must be titled as LastName_PieceTitle. Video projection is available this year in one space. Submitted video files must be formatted in h.264 .mp4 with the same time restrictions and stereo sound. There are no live performances.

Deadline: August 1, 2010

http://www.soundcrawlnashville.com/call.html

ISCM World New Music Days 2011 Zagreb, Croatia

26th Music Biennale Zagreb 7-17 April 2011

Members of the International Society for Contemporary Music as well as music publishers and individual artists are encouraged to submit their works according to the detailed instructions and criteria described in the call for works.

Deadline: August 1, 2010

www.iscm.org/files/CallforScores2011.pdf

CALL FOR PAPERS/CONFERENCES

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

IMCSIT

IMCSIT is organized by the Polish Information Processing Society in cooperation with the IEEE Computer Society (Poland Chapter), Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS), the Systems Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Computer Science Polish Academy of Sciences. IMCSIT is now accepting proposals concerning a number of topics.

Deadline: May, 31, 2010

http://www.imcsit.org/

eContact!

eContact! extends an open call for contributions to an issue featuring divergent approaches to electroacoustic creation, including hardware hacking, live coding, DIY instruments and set-ups, circuit bending, installations, interactivity, laptop orchestras, videomusic and more.

Deadline: May 1, 2010

http://electroacoustic.ca/econtact/12_3/call.html

Organised Sound

Denis Smalley: his influence on the theory and practice of electroacoustic music. Denis Smalley is one of Britain’s foremost exponents of acousmatic music, and a voice of international influence in both music and words. In marking his 65th year (2011), this issue aims to re-evaluate and extend the ideas and issues raised Denis Smalley’s music and writings, to develop their connections with the work of others, and the UK. It will focus especially, but not exclusively, on theoretical writings such as ‘Spectromorphology and Structuring Processes’ (1986), ‘Defining Timbre – Refining Timbre’ (1994), ‘Space-Form and the Acousmatic Image’ (2007), and on the influence of Smalley’s musical output. New analyses will be welcomed, especially those which seek to apply or evaluate Smalley’s theoretical ideas through analysis of his music or that of other composers or the development of future analytical tools. Naturally, there will be a focus on acousmatic music, although music with live instruments will not be excluded since it also features in Smalley’s output.

Deadline: June 15, 2010

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayMoreInfo?jid=OSO&type=ifc

1st Biennial in Music Composition and Education

The Department of Music of the School of Arts - College of Philosophy and Humanities of the National University of Córdoba, Argentina intive you to participate in our 1st Biennial in Music Composition and Education that will take place in our University Campus Pabellon CEPIA and MEJICO on 1-2-3 September 2010.

Deadline: June 30, 2010

http://www.cordobabienal.tk/

Leonardo Journal: Nanotechnology, Nanoscale Science and Art

2011 is the International Year of Chemistry! To celebrate Leonardo is seeking to publish papers and artworks on the intersections of chemistry, nanotechnology and art for our on-going special section on nanotechnology and the arts. Since its inception nanotech/science has been intimately connected to chemistry; fullerenes, nanoputians, molecular machines, nano-inorganics and self-assembling molecular systems all spring from the minds and labs of chemists, biochemists and chemical engineers. If you’re a

nano-oriented chemist who is serious about art, an artist working on the molecular level, or a chemical educator exploring the mysteries of nano through the arts we are especially seeking submissions from you.

leonardomanuscripts@gmail.com

Organised Sound: An International Journal of Music and Technology

The distinctions between a performer, an instrument, and an environment seem at first glance self evident, but plenty of evidence exists that the relationships between them can be complex and dynamic. A musical instrument is not, or at least not only, a physical object, but has properties which emerge through use or expectation (programming). A systemic understanding of performance activity might usefully enhance our understanding of the interpenetrations and feedback systems which exist between apparently disparate component parts. As we move into a musical world where we can intervene digitally in the performance ecosystem we open up possibilities for new formulations of and relationships between the ‘components’, whether by accessing ‘distant’ or virtual audiences/environments, or by combining physical and virtual elements in an unforeseen manner.

Music has always drawn on other disciplines and ways of modelling the world for metaphors which expand its resources both sonically, as organised sound, and socially, as human activity. This issue of Organised Sound invites submissions from both theorists and practitioners for whom ecosystemic or biological models form a provocative or productive point of departure for any aspect of their work.

Deadline: November 1, 2010

os@dmu.ac.uk

WORKSHOPS

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Lecture and Workshop Series: Living Circuits by Phillip Stearns

Current VanLier resident Phillip Stearns offers a 5-part educational lecture/workshop series on basic electronics and networked sciences. Lectures will be held on evenings during the week free of charge and be accompanied by an optional hands-on ticketed workshop held on the weekend following. The goal of the lectures is to provide a background and context to the contemporary use of electronics, computing, and biology in the development of neural networks. Each lecture will contain a historical overview of a key topic accompanied by demonstrations and animations. The optional workshops will focus on applying the information and knowledge presented in the lecture through hands on-projects led through slide-show, animation, and direct instruction.

http://www.harvestworks.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=318:lecture-and-workshop-series-by-phillip-stearns&catid=13:classes

20th Annual Deep Listening Retreat

Deep Listening® is a form of meditation based on experiencing heightened awareness of sound, silence and sounding. Deep Listening practice evolved and developed from Sonic Meditations (Smith Publications, 1971) an earlier body of work by Oliveros now performed in many parts of the world. Daily Retreat activities with instructors Pauline Oliveros, Heloise Gold and Ione include seven hours of daily ritual, attention to breath, listening/sounding meditations, T’ai Chi and Qi Gong movement practices, practicing, journeying for expanded creative resources, listening through dreams, tracking listening with sound journals, interaction, discoveries, exploration strategies for creating and performing, scoring, writing, drawing, creative movement sessions in the open air, listening for creative opportunities, free time, exchange and lively conversation.

July 6-10, 2010 Nau Côclea Camallera, Spain

http://www.naucoclea.com/eng/music/musica13/deep-listening/

EcoSono Institute

Study and research environmental sound, marine ecology, recording and computer music composition while exploring the beauty of the Caribbean Sea during this two-week summer intensive program in Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad, Curacao, Bonaire and Aruba. The adventure will offer a fascinating course of study in sound and ecology from the comfort and safety of a first class ship as we explore the beauty and culture of the Caribbean. The Institute will be led by UVA Professor and international award-winning composer, technologist and teacher, Dr. Matthew Burtner ( http://e2ma.net/go/6630848800/208144880/211959096/1406133/goto:http://www.burtner.net/ ). The academic concentration will be supported by advanced creative work, and travel in the Caribbean

Deadline March 31, 2010

http://www.ecosono.com/

MEMBERSHIPS

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Join Leonardo at a Discount and Enjoy Full Membership Privileges in the Leonardo Education Forum

The Leonardo Education Forum (LEF) is currently recruiting new members. LEF members benefit from the full range of benefits available to members of Leonardo/ISAST (discounts, invitations to networking events) as well as those available to LEF (voting privileges and the eligibility to present papers at conferences where LEF has a presence including CAA, SIGGRAPH and many others worldwide)

When you subscribe to Leonardo or Leonardo Music Journal (at any level) you will automatically become an associate member of Leonardo/ISAST. We encourage you to renew (or begin, if you are new to the community) your Leonardo/ISAST subscription and membership today with the 20% discount, by visiting:

http://www.mitpressjournals.org/leon (at checkout enter LEONLEF09 in the discount code box).

After you receive your confirmation from MIT Press, please forward this to:

kq@leonardo.info

For more information

http://leonardo.info/members.html

http://forum.lefnet.org/

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Send news and notices to

opps@emf.org

For more information about EMF World go to

http://www.emf.org/subscriber.html

To remove or add your name to/from EMF World go to

http://www.emf.org/email.html

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

EMF World is a trademark of Electronic Music Foundation, Ltd.

Electronic Music Foundation

PO Box 8748

Albany NY 12208

USA

Milkcrate 32: Adventures In Homewares Featuring The Mortar And The Pestle Now Online

2009-11-30T11:19:00.002+10:30

"An exploration of the sounds of the mortar and the pestle. Enter a sonic world of isolation."

Milkcrate 32: Adventures In Homewares Featuring The Mortar And The Pestle is now online on the milkcrate website. Grab it here.

Milkcrate 31: rrrr Now Online

2009-11-30T11:15:00.003+10:30

"A wonderful masterpiece of drone music, created using rocks and stones. "

Milkcrate 31: rrrr is now online on the milkcrate website. Grab it here.

Milkcrate #31 - Brian Green - "rrrrrr"

2009-10-03T04:20:00.002+09:30

Experimental musician / circuit bender / generative composer Brian Green (from South Carolina, USA) has made a work under the standard milkcrate conditions.

"rrrrrr" is a drone piece 149 minutes long, made from the sound of clinking stones together.

"I decided to give another go at the milkcrate project as i really enjoyed the last one i did and i feel i push myself alot to do very different things when im doing one of these," says Brian.

Listen to Brian's session and read more about it on his blog here.

The Sound of a Pin Dropping

2009-05-22T20:56:00.002+09:30

Milkcrate #30 is now online - http://milkcrate.com.au/sessions-details-030.html

Milkcrate 30 - It Is Finished

2009-05-22T12:49:00.001+09:30

We've finished this milkcrate, website will be updated soon.

3rd song done and a PB

2009-05-22T04:31:00.004+09:30

I'm currently waiting for my 3rd song to export. It goes for 19 minutes 27 seconds, and is not only a personal best for any Milkcrate song written by myself, but is longer than the total mount of music I have ever written in any Milkcrate session :D

Seb has just gone for a nap, after writing the longest Milkcrate track, ever.

It's 2:51 AM

2009-05-22T02:51:00.002+09:30

My track is now 65 minutes and 36 seconds long.
I think it's time for a break.

It's 10:09 PM

2009-05-21T22:08:00.004+09:30

I've written more than 30 minutes of music.
And it's just one track so far.

Can I have that with more gr00ve? I need a little more gr00ve. Thanks.

2009-05-21T18:00:00.005+09:30

This is my 12th Milkcrate, and my first in about 2 years. Last week I dusted off my PC after not having used it in 12 months. I haven't used Cubase in that long but it's all coming back to me. I'm currently finishing my 2nd track. My first track went for a minute and a half and was made up of ambient sounds, my 2nd track has more pitched sounds and is currently going for 3 minutes.

It's 4:52 PM

2009-05-21T16:52:00.004+09:30

Damian and I have now been writing music and manipulating the sample for about four hours. It's starting to have an effect on me, but I can't tell if it is positive or not.

It's always a challenge to work with just a small amount of source material, you can feel boxed up and claustrophobic. Or the reverse might happen - the limitations could set your mind free.

Milkcrate 30 - It Begins

2009-05-21T13:49:00.003+09:30

Damian West and I have now started Milkcrate #30. All of our music will be made from the sound of a pin dropping.

Milkcrate 29: Noises In The Woods by Brian Green

2009-04-20T06:58:00.004+09:30

Brian Green presents the first session of 2009 with a very special ambient milkcrate using materials found in the woods outside of his home in South Carolina, USA. Only thirty seconds of source sounds were used to construct the thirty minute work.

Get it here: http://milkcrate.com.au/sessions-details-029.html

Milkcrate 29: Mr Green Is Doing A Milkcrate

2009-04-19T19:13:00.002+09:30

http://www.seeyouinsleep.com/blog/2009/4/18/milkcrate-noises-in-the-woods.html

This is a landmark milkcrate in that it is the first session not to be directly connected to the Adelaide group of milkcraters in some way.

The sounds that he has going so far are great! Let's wish him luck on what is surely going to be an intense journey.

My Project

2008-12-25T19:34:00.003+10:30

I actually could use some of everybody's help with my project.

Right now, I'm collecting fast food restaurant kids' meal toys.

I will use nothing but those as the raw material.

So far, I determined that part of the rhythm section will be done with (insert restaurant here)'s toy of the Mark I of the Iron Man suit. I haven't tested to see if it can be even used for rhythm, but I guess I'll find out.

I only have this and a few other toys. I could use some more.

Send an e-mail to timorousme@mac.com if you can provide me with more.

Milkcrate #28: "Synthermal"

2008-12-13T07:02:00.000+10:30

A direct foil to the water-based theme of milkcrate 26, 'Synthermal' uses only objects that are associated with heat and fire. From sparklers to butane-based soldering irons, from toasters to matches - all is fair game.

Get it here: http://milkcrate.com.au/sessions-details-028.html

[#28] On The Final Road To Victory

2008-12-10T08:46:00.000+10:30

(by jordan)

[#28] No sleep... yet

2008-12-10T04:51:00.002+10:30

I haven't slept yet. So I am a bit tired. On the plus side, I've made 24 tracks of one-minute goodness.

The others seem to have been fairly productive as well, which is awesome!

Less than a quarter to go now.

Black Coffee

2008-12-10T02:33:00.003+10:30

Two thirty something and I'm still powering on, although a brief creative lull has sent me scampering off to the blog to rant for a bit. Heat Crate is going pretty well so far, despite my technological difficulties (a demo version of live that won't let me save or use plugins). My solution so far has been to just make everything really, really loud because in my crate crazed mind, the sound of everything peaking all of the time is a pretty neat effect. The reverb we got in the stairwell was also a pretty neat effect. Virtually everything I've done so far I would probably broadly class as industrial (just like the last milkcrate I did). Thematically it's pretty much all about volcanoes.

[#28] Halfway Report

2008-12-09T22:37:00.002+10:30

All is going well here in the land of 'crate.

We spent the first three or four hours of this crate collectively sampling and choosing objects and sounds out of the ones that we had all brought.

For objects that we could record indoors (ie. those with zero fire hazard), we set up a large diaphragm condenser in a tiled room - the room itself adds a bit of nice sound as well. There was quite a bit of background noise because of the air conditioning vents and about 16 or 17 computers with their fans on, but our samples were still useable.

So each person would come up with their objects (except for me - because the only thing I brought along is a box of matches) and then record some material from their chosen objects. I was manually riding the input gain to try and maximise our effective dynamic range and manage the already unmanageable environment noise.

For objects and actions that we could not record indoors (ie. those with some fire hazard), David and I went over to the park next to the parade grounds. Here we used a portable recorder with a shirt as a wind shield and recorded a few useable samples.

Some of the highlights of the samples have included:
• some party poppers (courtesy of david)
• a toaster (courtesy of jordan)
• a heatsink (courtesy of jesse)
• some butane and a gas-powered soldering iron (courtesy of justin)

As I've said the only thing I brought was the box of matches (others brought the same or similar items too of course).

All in all, we have about 6 or 7 minutes of samples (after editing and splicing) which is actually a huge sample bank for any milkcrate. There are probably well over 80 or 90 individual events contained in our samples, which is nice. However, almost all of the sounds are really very percussive, somewhat limiting the source timbres we can use for melodic / pitched music material.

For the most part, people seem to using a combination of Live and ProTools, often in tandem rewired together.

Jordan and Justin have been working on a dance track that makes use of Justin's new Kaos Pad 3. Jesse has been working on an ambient track and David has been making a number of highly distorted and loud works. Unfortunately, his computer only has a demo of Live running on it so he is unable to save his projects, forcing him to work very quickly, constantly in fear of crashing.

As for me, I've somewhat formalised some of the things I've been doing in the last few milkcrates. I have thus far only used my very short sample of me striking a match. I have written 15 tracks, but my self-imposed limitation is that every track I make has been and will be one minute in length exactly. This may sound easy but I've been finding it more and more difficult as the day progresses.

To some degree, perhaps it's an exploration of 'pop' music sounds and structures as sound objects in their own right, something with their own weight and mass to be considered a single event. I'm not sure. I've been going for more than twelve hours, so I'm not even sure if that sentence makes any sense or not.

Wish us luck as we slip into the night...

- seb

[#28] The Struggle Continues

2008-12-09T19:57:00.002+10:30

(by jordan)

[#28] And It Begins...

2008-12-09T11:42:00.003+10:30

The heat-based milkcrate has begun!

Staffs, Jordan, Justin, Jesse and myself are here at EMU, getting our crate on.

Milkcrate 27: "A Country Practice"

2008-12-04T14:06:00.001+10:30

Milkcrate 27: A Country Practice
Scott Jackson, Sebastian Tomczak and Martin Victory.

Using only locally-sourced objects in a small country town.

"Scott, Seb and Martin proudly present the first milkcrate that was done out in the country. The theme was to take objects that were found / bought locally and only use these to do a session.

The impact of the serene environment of Lake Albert and Meningie can be clearly heard throughout the forty tracks that were completed."

Download it here: http://milkcrate.com.au/sessions-details-027.html

Milkcrate Google Discussion Group

2008-11-03T20:50:00.000+10:30

"This is the discussion group for milkcrate. For more information about this music project, please visit: http://www.milkcrate.com.au/"

Join Now --> http://groups.google.com/group/milkcrate

In The Mouth Of A Decaying Empire

2008-11-01T09:46:00.004+10:30

Milkcrate 26: In The Mouth Of A Decaying Empire

It's over. Expect a downloadable version within the next day or so. This session weighed in at a hefty 2 hours, 3 minutes and 56 seconds, making it the longest milkcrate ever.

Tracklisting:

Your Life As A Frozen Lake
The Frozen Wastes
Over The Icy Peaks
Ice Breaker
Waves
The Dawn Tide
The Grand Armada
Through Heaving Seas
The Peat Bog
Sunshower & Rainbow
Waterfall
I Was Thirsty
Hydrogen and Oxygen
Serrasalminae
An Unforgiving Desert
The Creek Ran Dry

75% Over

2008-11-01T04:29:00.002+10:30

We have reached the three quarters junction.

We have made roughly one hour and fifteen minutes worth of music.

Slowing down but not down and out yet.

It's Half Time!

2008-10-31T22:23:00.003+10:30

The current time is 10:24PM We have now passed the halfway point.

More weird music with strange sounds. I have been making some nice ambient stuff that I'm quite happy with using a flexible drain pipe as a physical sound filter. David just finished up a sea shanty.

We have decided on a name for this milkcrate.

We have written around 57 minutes of material.

Let's go to the 1/4 mark...

2008-10-31T15:51:00.002+10:30

6 hours down 18 to go. I've done a few its and pieces, mostly the usual discordant blah. About to embark on some ambient delay pedal gear though, that should be good. We've done a little over 20 minutes of content so far; ranging from drum and bass to black metal.

Milkcrate 26: 2:18 PM Update

2008-10-31T14:18:00.004+10:30

We have been going for around four hours now, and I get the feeling we are just starting to settle in. For the most part, we've been using the sounds of the plunger and the pool hose and a little bit of the syphon - a potent mix of raw materials.

So, what's inside our Milkcrates for Session #26?

2008-10-31T09:51:00.002+10:30

Starting Time: 10:00AM

Seb - Umbrella, Water Pistols, Drinking Straws, PVC Pipe Right Angle Joint, PVC Pipe Flexible Joint, Metal Pipe Joint, Siphon Pump, Pool Pipe.

Staffs - Plunger, Plastic Bucket, Coil Hose, Water Cooler (with water), Soft Drink Bottle (with water), Corn Flour.

Milkcrate 25: Objects from Our Man Salazar (Finished)

2008-09-23T10:13:00.004+09:30

This was a solo milkcrate using only objects as sent to me in a secret package from a certain Mr. Salazar. I was not allowed to look inside the package before the starting point of the milkcrate.

If you only check out four tracks, I would recommend: 00, 04, 0E and 0F.

Download

Archive

Individual Tracks

00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
0A
0B
0C
0D
0E
0F

Milkcrate 25: Objects from Our Man Salazar

2008-09-22T11:03:00.001+09:30

It begins now.

Milkcrate 24: Blank Page

2008-08-23T02:14:00.003+09:30

01 - Winter Birds
02 - Dawn Bells
03 - Come Forward, Forestwalker
04 - A Hand In The Shade
05 - I Am Yet To Evolve
06 - Winter Solstice

Here is Milkcrate 24: Blank Page in full for those who were looking to listen to it straight away. Don't forget to visit http://www.milkcrate.com.au for all session info.

0200

2008-08-23T02:00:00.002+09:30

Alas my first solo Milkcrate has completed. I type as my final track bounces as I mistimed the event by 5-10 minutes. All is done though and I'll upload the tracks in a few.

Second Excerpt

2008-08-22T21:08:00.002+09:30

Here's a link to another short sample to keep people interested. Unmixed and unmastered but still sounds good.

I'm starting a lot of ideas and finishing none of them. Paranoia of a 10-minute Milkcrate is setting in. I'm sure I'll pull all the unfinished portions together and try and reach a healthy 30 minute mark

Excerpt 02

Dark again

2008-08-22T19:31:00.002+09:30

It's dark again. I was hoping to have at least 20 minutes down by now. Currently up to about 7. I'm sure things will fall together.... I hope. I have done a single beat yet - 'cause they take too long...... wait? That's bad

Green Dots

2008-08-22T15:14:00.003+09:30

Aaarrgghhhhh there's so many of them!!

Halfway Excerpt

2008-08-22T14:00:00.002+09:30

I've survived it to the halfway mark without getting frostbite. Worked on getting my samples and manipulated a huge background ambient drone which will be the canvas my songs are painted on.

Below is about 90 seconds of what I'm working on so far. I've written about 3 minutes of material so far. No mastering or major effects yet - just ideas and MIDI dots

Excerpt 01

Frozen

2008-08-22T07:39:00.001+09:30

Nearly at the quarter-way mark. No samples to hear yet... because I froze to death. Coldest 6 hours ever

Rage

2008-08-22T04:04:00.002+09:30

Well that was harder than I thought....

...I collected all my samples and then set up an 'Impulse' instrument on Ableton Live to trigger them, but it took me an hour to get the rewire link between Live and Pro Tools happening. So very frustrating.

I would have sorted all this out earlier, but i was at work. Yes, that's right, I worked from 1200-2030hrs and then decided to have a quick nap and do a Milkcrate.

Why am I allowed to have these insane ideas?

0200

2008-08-22T02:01:00.003+09:30

It's 2:00am and thus begins my first solo milkcrate venture. This session will include only samples sourced from whatever I can make appear with a single sheet of blank A4 paper. Enjoy

Echo

2008-08-20T09:38:00.000+09:30

'Myth makes Echo the subject of longing and desire. Physics make Echo the subject of distance and design. Where emotion and reason are concerned both claims are accurate.
And where there is no Echo there is no description of space or love. There is only silence'. (Anon, 246)

REFERENCES

Anon In, Hansen, Mark B. "The Digital Topography of the House of Leaves." Bodies in Code: Interfaces with Digital Media. New York: Routledge.

..when I write, I want to hear string quartets..

Milkcrate # 23 has finished

2008-04-15T10:06:00.003+09:30

Thanks to everyone for coming along! I had a really nice time.
Niall, Jesse - it was great to meet you guys. Hopefully we can 'crate it up again.

17+ hours down...

2008-04-15T02:55:00.003+09:30

...and really it's not been too constructive for me. Pro Tools doesn't like the way I work, in terms of effects and layering, and I'm not Mac-savvy enough to do anything about it, so it crashes on me regularly. About half way through layering my third track, which is a bouncy, erratic drum-machine based piece of nonsense (drum-machine built in the computer from assorted glass noises, of course...), and it'll bring my output up to a whopping....not even four minutes yet.

Oh well...I thoroughly enjoy working with limitations like the glass theme, I just wish I could articulate all the ideas I have with it through the technology I'm/we're using...

Still, it's to me by far a more interesting experience for a backpacker than sitting in hostels asking people 'how long have you been travelling for? where have you been?', and at least I'm awake, unlike some people who'll surely see this when they wake up...

uh??

2008-04-15T01:46:00.004+09:30

hey hey every one. I have so far neglected to post anything until now on my first milkcrate. Going well so far (i think). Just finishing my 'insane glass circus of death' song now.......

h a l f w a y m u s i c

2008-04-14T21:32:00.002+09:30

This is the halfway point of milkcrate twenty-three.

You can hear some music here.

A new foreigner...

2008-04-14T19:07:00.003+09:30

Well well well...

I'm currently working with Pro Tools for the first time in my life after a quick, useful introduction from Seb and Justin, making music in a similar vein to my more 'experimental stuff' back home.

Back home you say? Yes, I'm an English backpacker who thought there'd be nothing better to do with his last 7 days in Australia than head to South Australia to participate in a milkcrate. I'm sure by the end of it you'll hear............something.

As Seb and Justin have already stated, glass is the unifying theme/constraint/source of what will be online [sometime[ soon, although I somewhat fear I may deviate greatly from the rest of the people clicking away to my left, both through my embryonic Mac and Pro Tools ability and my tendency to make only noise or silliness, but then again, maybe I'll become more subdued by 2am and settle down a bit...

But for now, and to heavily plagiarise Justin, track 1 sounds remarkably like this...

Light of Glass

2008-04-14T19:04:00.001+09:30

I have finished my first track. It sounds like this:

6pm post

2008-04-14T18:00:00.002+09:30

This milkcrate session is using only glass as source material. Well, that's not entirely true. There was water involved in the recording / sourcing side of things. I am starting to slowly get in the swing of things. I've done around 15 and a half minutes worth of material. On it goes...

#23 begins

2008-04-14T09:56:00.002+09:30

"This is Not a Pyramid Scheme" (Milkcrate 22)

2008-02-18T09:45:00.004+10:30

It's done.

download: http://milkcrate.com.au/sessions-details-022.html

Milkcrate #22 in progress...

2008-02-18T01:13:00.001+10:30

I am currently doing a milkcrate session. I am using the gift tin box of a bottle of Jägermeister i gave my dad about six months ago as the only source object. He liked the Jägermeister, of course, but he was very considerate and thought that i might use the tin for a milkcrate because of some nice metallic sounds it can produce. How nice of him!

Anyway, so here I am. It is 1.12 am. I still have just under ten hours to go.

The tin in question. Remember kids, drink responsibly.

Milkcrate 21: "Subatomic Monster" now online

2008-01-04T15:00:00.000+10:30

Subatomic Monster (2008)
David Gustafsson and Sebastian Tomczak.
Empty milkcrates.

http://milkcrate.com.au/sessions-details-021.html

This first milkcrate session of 2008 features a strong science-fiction theme and includes tracks inspired by a particular range of genres such as synth pop, sound art and video game sountracks.

Recommended tracks include A Temporary Lapse, Nebula, The Collapse, Heavy, The Moon 2149, Natural Resource, Airships and Tumbleweed.

Tracks:
Future Missile Head (3:04)
Subatomic Monster (5:20)
Deep Space Cruising (5:40)
Nebula (5:00)
Syntax Error (4:06)
The Metaphysical Side of Time Travel (2:23)
A Temporary Lapse (8:44)
Vortex (0:51)
Non-Reality Agent (2:21)
Hammer of Wrath (2:40)
Perfect Little Planetoid (1:48)
One Billion A.D. (3:46)
Association (1:37)
Itch (2:04)
Photino Dawn (5:26)
Tumbleweed (4:53)
Heavy (3:17)
Mount Doom (4:17)
The Collapse (6:20)
Natural Resource (3:48)
The Moon, 2149 (2:22)
Twelve Light Years (2:21)
Weak Boson (0:43)
Muon (0:43)
Hall (2:39)
Airships (4:20)
Dependency (2:13)
Haste (1:04)

Milkcrate 21: 100%

2008-01-04T11:37:00.001+10:30

Milkcrate 21: 50%

2008-01-03T23:39:00.000+10:30

Milkcrate 21: 0%

2008-01-03T11:44:00.001+10:30

XX

2007-11-28T16:17:00.000+10:30

The 20th milkcrate session, XX, is now online. This session features Poppi Doser, David Gustafsson, Martin Victory and myself. Download the audio and visual outcomes here: http://milkcrate.com.au/sessions-details-020.html.

I am very happy with this session. Thanks to all who came along!

It's the end!

2007-11-28T10:37:00.001+10:30

Milkcrate 20 is finished.

Planet Red

2007-11-28T10:15:00.000+10:30

The smell of salt and rosemary is in the air and it's a beautiful morning. I've just finished my piece for this session and I think I like it.

Thanks to MV for helping me with my "if" statements, and Lauren for making me feel at home.

(10.5MB)

Click here to view the code:)

Arrive

2007-11-28T06:51:00.000+10:30

I have just finished my first track. It's called Arrive. I've never spent this much time on a single track at a Milkcrate before, but I quite like this one. I will miss it. I'll try and upload it soon.

Awake

2007-11-28T06:00:00.000+10:30

I just got up. Tagged with David -- he seemed like he had gone far enough without the aid of sleep. Uploaded some new tracks; The Bonecrusher by Staffs and Little Blue Elephant, Parts 13 and 14 by me.

I am feeling more and more awake as i write this.

This is the longest milkcrate ever in terms of output. And there are still four hours to go.

musics as usual >> http://www.milkcrate.com.au/_other/mc20/

jiiiiiiiigglypufffffff....

2007-11-28T03:48:00.001+10:30

I have finished another track "robots are awesome" which I'm uploading to the magical holding bay at -->

http://www.milkcrate.com.au/_other/mc20/

I'm starting to get tired but, I believe I am the only one awake. So finishing a song is good and bad... because I am temporarily out of ideas... just sort of listening back over what I've done and posting nonsensical rambling nonsense post.

kick

2007-11-28T02:01:00.000+10:30

I feel like sleeping. I feel ill. I blame it on too much SC and not enough ProTools. I just watched a YouTube video of the Mario Brothers theme played on Tesla Coils (thanks Tyrell:) which inspired me for it's 1'29" duration..now it's back to feeling nauseous.

Argghh.

Little Blue Elephant

2007-11-28T00:59:00.001+10:30

I have named my mp3s in the milkcrate 20 music directory.

There is also more music there now. Yep.

I also ate a falafel and watched a quality episode of [st:voy].

It is almost the business end of the milkcrate - only 9 more hours to go.

These are always the toughest. (agggghhhh!)

musics here >> http://www.milkcrate.com.au/_other/mc20/

Crossing the Equator

2007-11-28T00:23:00.000+10:30

Midnight is pretty much never the halfway mark of a milkcrate, but it invariably feels like a milestone... or a millstone... or... something...

Anyway, I finished my 4th piece, "crypt keys" a gloomy/groovy little number with super mario synths and fat beats. I am gradually getting the hang of Live. I think it is the best thing I've assembled so far this crate will possibly soon be uploaded to the thing from before maybe... perhaps...

Some musics from milkcrate twenty

2007-11-27T21:17:00.000+10:30

There are some MP3s being uploaded at the moment to http://www.milkcrate.com.au/_other/mc20/

We have done one hour and twelve minutes worth of "stuff". And it's not even the halfway point yet.

Staff's stuff are the files with names. Mine don't have any names yet. But i am sure that when four am comes around, they will be named. If you download one / some of mine, I recommend: 9, 11 and 2 in that order. Staffs recommends "shake it" and "fantasm".

The uploading could take a while. There are fourteen tracks that will be uploaded for the time being.

Blah...

2007-11-27T20:27:00.000+10:30

Just finished my third ting. My brains have started to dissolve. R2D2 and C3PO are not talking to each other (lovers' tiff) so I've been learning to use Live by itself and not with ProTools as planned. Much fun with big noisy delay loops and ridiculous synth parts, as freaking usual. Sad and a little distracted, one of our dogs had to be put down this afternoon.

kickmylazyass

2007-11-27T20:10:00.000+10:30

I've bumbled my way through the fundamentals of mUsic-making since 10am with the fridge magnets acting as both my inspiration and a distraction, and I've got a loop and mini-movie to show for it.

S says there's no penalty for not having created a piece of music by 10am tomorrow; MV says there is for having bad hair.

Milkcrate 20 has begun

2007-11-27T10:18:00.001+10:30

Starting time: 10:15, 27 November 2007

of daedalus [ending]

2007-11-22T08:32:00.001+10:30

I have now finished my empty, solo milkcrate. You can listen to the results here. The sample that you hear at the very start of part A (roughly the first one-hundred milliseconds) is the only source sound for the rest of the piece.

of daedalus [middle]

2007-11-21T19:40:00.000+10:30

this is now the halfway mark [music]

of daedalus [beginning]

2007-11-21T10:35:00.000+10:30

of daedalus has begun.

"Call the Doctor" Group Photo

2007-09-28T09:44:00.001+09:30

Post Post

2007-09-24T12:19:00.000+09:30

I think I did dissolve..between layers of woolen blankets and four pillows after having finally managed to put myself to bed at 11pm last night. I am grateful to those whom I participated in 'Milkcrate' with the weekend just gone, and hope it's not the last time we meet in this particular context. Post yoga and spilt coffee and on my way back to E.M.U. this morning, I recall past conversations with visual artists friends (whom I seem to attract in droves) and how lucky they are to be able to work alongside of each other within a hired studio or home-space. As a music-maker I never imagined this type of scenario would ever work as well as it appeared to during Milkcrate; here was the space that I have desired since many years prior.

Namaste, Sebastian.

Post 24hrs

2007-09-23T11:57:00.000+09:30

A long day, inclusive of a performance with Big BoDo band at Urtex , an interesting jam with Seb at level 4 staircase, a good night sleep. some granulation and FFt, few beers and now this blog, A short discription of my last 24 hours. Some other things as well which go unsaid if you know me...
Some interesting recorded sounds from the items in my milkcrate - esp fan and shells, paper n plastic, coins and glass, water n piezzo, air n the wind , you n myself, snoring too. I spent sometime working on super collider, basically preparing for wednesday gig, I have not written as such any completed piece, but collected few ideas with the code and sounds which are ready to be used on on my next performace ie wednesday 8pm @ Exeter. Any way i think some good time spent with milky souls..
Freaking out the scott theatre and security was cool.I like when people complain about sound hurting their delicate ears -- can you please stop this ?( with fear n pain) ? its too loud... .Working with headphones was annoying, Audio Lab was a little boring.. Regardless the idea of 24 hours in one space ( to write music) is great and I wish to do it more often, with milkcrate or on my own..pics coming soon , once i reach home, the battery is dead..

Nearly done

2007-09-23T10:04:00.000+09:30

Ok, yep, slept (weak weak), cool, rockin.

9:24 AM

2007-09-23T09:24:00.000+09:30

So this is almost it. I edited together an 11 minute version of the stairwell jam featuring Vinny and myself. An additional 45 second track is dedicated to the loud part at the end.

So far, we have hit the one hour mark in terms of musical output. This does not include Skye's or Maria's contribution. So, this is quite an amount I think.

We still have to do the group photo...

Untitled

2007-09-23T09:15:00.000+09:30

I've had some sleep and finished a short track called '...And I Stand Above Buildings'.

I also named my copy of the group track 'Trashbat'. Some of you may get it. If you do then that is well Jackson.

Monster Chew

2007-09-23T08:32:00.000+09:30

Here 'tis.

Hear:

I think it's someone else's turn to post now,
xo

iPhoto sux

2007-09-23T06:29:00.002+09:30

I feel like dissolving.

Hours later the gavel came down on madness; it will prevail when love doesn't.

Big strong happy now

2007-09-23T05:11:00.000+09:30

I don't need sleep like other mortals, chocolate keeps the sleep beast at bay. (BTW: cheers for the donation Damo!) I'm going to try and knock off one more track before the sun comes up. Just the one as I feel my duty is done here. Besides which, I've been entertaining myself with the many juicy fruits of a Milkcrate labour such as scrawling on whiteboards and anything I can get my randy mits on. Observe my artz:

5:?? am

2007-09-23T04:59:00.000+09:30

It's closer to 6 but these are some tracks:

Falmouth

Snowdonia [with Seb]

[note: uploading tracks isn't a possibility right now]

I've also added to the group track, but don't yet know if there's only going to be a 'final edit' or not, so I haven't named it

4:23 AM

2007-09-23T04:23:00.001+09:30

I am beginning to feel tired now.

I just finished off a piece started by Justin. It is called "Snowdonia". I added some beats and a relaxed chromatic percussion part.

The inspiration for music making is beginning to run thin in the tomczak camp.

3.51am

2007-09-23T03:51:00.000+09:30

Maria

Monsieur Chiew

2007-09-23T01:55:00.000+09:30

I've finally finished my first track, Monsieur Chiew. It begs for an extra dynamic and Sebastian's still not down with 'voice' so I'm off to find it a friend in the form of a "movie". See you in another 12hours;)

I is tirez

2007-09-23T01:53:00.001+09:30

It is time to sleep. I am attempting to eat my scarf and the teapots are laughing at me. I just finished a piece which I have called "Unpredictable Animals" and the animals are laughing at me. It is now time to build a shelter of sorts and go into the clouds for a couple of hours.

12:18 AM

2007-09-23T00:16:00.000+09:30

We are now well past the halfway point. I have pretty much finished off five tracks (roughly 21 minutes), and although none of them are anything to really write home about, i don't think any of them are "the worst thing ever presented to the human ear".

I have not named any my tracks yet. This will have to wait until I am ready to do so.

I am not really tired yet. But this will change in time.

Some hours in

2007-09-22T20:30:00.001+09:30

I've been banging, scraping and stroking things for the past few hours with some interesting results.

Foil Rag: heavily processed crunchy sonic gristle.

Cindy's Last Absynthe: a perculiar orphaned miniature.

Mechanical Tang: a soundtrack for breaking into laboratories and pressing da buttons.

Inbetween the Music

2007-09-22T20:25:00.000+09:30

Think about going for a run, save multiple drafts in blogger, eat vegetarian shepherds pie, upload to Flickr, imagine stop-motion footage of the palm of a hand opening and closing, ask Sebastian why no one else has posted up an image of themselves, practice sitting cross-legged for long-periods of time, post up an image of myself.

Hear:

Sebastian is working on making me some beats:) I'm going to take some time out from my own session and get onto the Group Track in the interim.

untitled

2007-09-22T15:57:00.000+09:30

posted by pnfd

3:36 PM

2007-09-22T15:36:00.000+09:30

i have been sitting here for quite a while. trying to use the technology to find the sounds that are in my brain. this is like a vortex, eating all my time. i have "finished" two tracks (so far untitled). a beatsy shlock horror sort of thing and something that reminds of gamelan music and a bit of bjork. or something something. yep.

you can see a screen shot in live of the gamelan type of one. the data looks very dense, doesn't it. but i assure you, it really doesn't umm sound so complex or anything.

Dino Campana

2007-09-22T14:12:00.000+09:30

'Springs we ought to listen at,
springs that know
springs what know that spirits stay
that spirits stay and listen.

Listen: light is fading out
and for the restless spirits sweet is the darkness.'

(*..*)

Milkcrate 18

2007-09-22T10:55:00.000+09:30

Official starting time: 10:23 AM September 22nd 2007

Milkcrate 17 - it's over.

2007-07-11T09:57:00.001+09:30

more tracks from milkcrate 17

2007-07-11T05:33:00.000+09:30

Go to the folder in the url from the lat post to see hear more tracks. I recommend 03, 08 and 10. 11 is kinda cool too.

Milkcrate 17: First Track Up

2007-07-10T22:37:00.000+09:30

Listen to stuff here: http://www.milkcrate.com.au/mc17/

1st Phase

2007-07-10T20:11:00.000+09:30

Milkrate 17 is taking the form of 2 phases. Phase 1 is the breadboarding and sample collection and will last for 12 hours. Phase 2, which includes composition and mastering, will begin at 9:49pm and continue to 9:49am, concluding this milkrate. As a result of us just building and sample pooling no tracks, and thus no major updates, have been updated as yet. To compensate, here's some more pics:

Sample Pool

2007-07-10T16:28:00.000+09:30

Slow audio progress. Still nothing to prove we're actually crating it up... besides maybe this picture

Breadboarding while we can and composing from our sample pool while we have to be quiet. Expect a higher frequency of updates during the night

Post 1

2007-07-10T13:44:00.000+09:30

Not much recorded since we started at 9:49am - just a collection of different sound samples. Many advancements with the breadboards however - a full 24 hours breadboarding instruments gives plenty of room for experimentation. Example: I never thought of the possibility of having one 555 wave gen modulating a second 555 wave gen, but thats what I managed to pull together.

More updates soon

Breath of Night

2007-04-19T14:17:00.000+09:30

Last one. This one was done in the last hour. Every other song had an hour go into every half a minute, whereas this one had an hour for both minutes.