“Recorded by The Norman Conquest in the fall of 2009, this was the first time that Barn Owl were able to take their time in a professional studio, fine tuning and honing the pieces over the span of a couple months. The majority of the tracks were recorded live to tape and were a mix of composed and improvised elements. The near limitless options, as far as equipment and microphones were concerned, allowed the band to shape and refine the definition of the Barn Owl sound. The extra time in the studio also allowed for other textural embellishments. Marielle Jakobsons (of Darwinsbitch, Date Palms, Myrmyr) contributed violin to “Flatlands” and “Awakening” which gave the two pieces a heavier Americana vibe and really enriched the sonic palette. The Norman Conquest lent vocals to several tracks and also played modular synth through a Marshall half-stack that added a nice low end to the title track. On “Incantation”, an ensemble that Caminiti and Porras are members of called Portraits, played gong, bells, singing bowls, and other percussive metals which really lends to the ritualistic feeling of the piece. At the very least, there are 10 people playing on the track. Ancestral Star also acts as the first album in which bowed guitar is heavily explored.”

-recorded with phillip greenlief a coupla months ago.  alternating between single-tracked and overdubbed pieces, they’re all extended technique saxophone tracks inspired by the art of eva hesse and robert rauschenberg.  the album should be out within a month or so on evander music.

-just started working with the fabulous classical indian violin virtuoso kala ramnath and the stupendously amazing mridangam player anantha r. krishnan.

-alee karim just posted his album alee karim & the science fiction for FREE DOWNLOAD on bandcamp.  amazing science fiction chamber pop songs in the vein of berlin-era david bowie, brian eno, talking heads, the microphones, etc.  featuring marielle jakobsons, agnes szelag, shayna dunkelman, and jordan glenn!

-been recording with my band, the atomic bomb audition, for our next album, tentatively titled “roots into the see”.

-my other band cosa brava, just spent two weeks in europe touring and recording.  the next record should be out in 2011 on intakt records.  fred’s new tunes are INCREDIBLE!

-and from the beautiful st. mark’s church in san francisco, the lush orchestral piece “unweathered embers” by my favorite duo of eastern european soundstresses, myrmyr.

-just finished mastering a new album by jon porras (elm) of barn owl.  should be out on root strata sometime in the next few months!

-speaking of barn owl, i recorded their next album “ancestral star” and it’s due to be released on thrill jockey in november!!!

-from the cassette-only UK label the tapeworm, a release by zachary james watkins titled “black spirituals” that i recorded back in sept. of 2009.  doepfer modular synths + gospel field recordings + marshall half stack + the amazing drumming of jordan glenn = holy shit!!!

-and then a special super secret surprise release featuring me, barn owl, theresa wong, and ellen fullman.  it’s gonna be released on important records around november!  two words- mega drone!

-this just in, the recording from ilyas ahmed at the 2009 root strata on land festival will be released this month!  limited edition of 25 10″ vinyl records, all with unique hand-collaged cover artwork by ilyas.

details:

$10-15 sliding scale

Performance Time: 7:00p, Doors: 6:30

Location: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, St. Mark’s Square, 1111 O’Farrell St at Franklin, San Francisco

Public Transit: MUNI 38, 31, 42, 47, 49

UPDATE:  pictures are below!  we had an amazing time and laid down some super awesome tracks!  (all pictures taken by agnes szelag and myself)