From Peter Becker Sent Fri, Oct 23rd 1998, 15:21
From Peter Becker Sent Fri, Oct 23rd 1998, 15:21
I have'nt blurted in a while, so here's lots of stuff to digest: +++++ Mix Master Mike's US Tour in stores have changed a bit so listen up: We have tried hard but the in store scenario has been diffficult. Firstly, did anyone catch the Austin in store at 33 Degrees? Curious... So here's the update: Saturday, 10/24: New Orleans, *If * this happens, it will go off at Rewind, unfortunately, you'll have to call the store at 504-598-3222 Tuesday, 10/27: Chicago: World Records: unconfirmed , still unconfirmed but probable Call World Records at 312/421-0992 Saturday, 10/31: Toronto: unfortunately this in store was cancelled, we tried hard at 2 locations but it all botched up. Tuesday, 11/3: Amherst: Newbury Comics: this will happen but it's a ways away. Details coming. +++++ For the dude stuck in USA boondocks ( can't remember the poster, sorry ), I understand how frustrating it is when acts go through various towns but *don't* show up in your town. Basically what I've experienced is that the location of tours has very much to do with the decisions made by a booking agent. A booking agent solicits club owners and promoters across the country ( I'm sure this is for any country as I've seen this to be the case in Europe, too. ) When the club owners and promoters bite the offer, he/she decides where the money is, where a club will fill up, where the artist's market is, and very importantly, how the travel time is situated based on other cities that the tour is going to. This is crucial. Fort Collins, for instance, is a stones throw from Boulder ( in the case of Mix Master Mike ). How Fort Collins could guarantee a filled club I can't speak for as booking is not my area of expertise. Many things to consider. Maybe someday, an artist you like will play somewhere close to you and maybe make it down to your town. Who knows? I hope this helps. : ) +++++ On that note, all that I know on the Basic Channel NYC tour is that it *is* happening, in Brooklyn, I believe in the DUMBO area, during the 2nd week of November. It's either the 14th or the 16th; I don't remember. It will be big, with at least 4 BC folks doing work. Live or dj'ed I don't know. When I learn more, I will post. I'll be crawling on my knees to that one, like water in the desert. +++++ Magazines: With the great magazine deabate on IDM lately, I've gotta add here. Is there anyone who reads a *variety* of magazines, absorbs the information, takes what he/she needs and then moves on? Must there be a polar allegiance to the intellectual literati or to the candy raver camps? Yes, I have seen posts here on IDM, where folks do claim that they read a variety but lately it seems as if there's the hipster side and the mainstream side. I'm for no sides. Bullshit writers and bullshit editors exist on both ( all ) sides of the spectrum. As long as there's money involved ( sales price/advertising/etc. ) then it's about *selling* music. There's an inverse relationship between hipster magazines "selling out" ( Grooverider analogy ) and mainstream magazines "jumping on the underground bandwagon" ( BoC analogy ). If you think of it, both camps are going through the same motion. The fact that The Wire would cover, most recently for example, Coil, Stapleton, Autechre, Basic Channel, Mego, VVM, etc etc etc is great for me as I get to learn more and understand more about groups/musicians whose work I respect and enjoy. Similarly, a magazine like Jockey Slut, when covering a group or dj or whatever that is somewhat "hip", say, BoC/SKAM, may reach an audience/ reader base that does not have the exposure to *read* The Wire. The reader base for The Wire and the reader base for Jockey Slut, I would think, are quite diffrerent. So if someone who typically would read Jockey Slut finds out about BoC/SKAM a year or two *late*, so be it. I don't think they have ever possessed the reputation of being cutting edge. I think someone who can find out about music through whatever source may come there way, has a lot to benefit, provided they have the intelligence to cut through bullshit. The key for me is to take it all in and figure it out for myself. I will always read a variety of press to learn, knowing that the only opinion that matters, ultimately, is mine. Whether or not The Wire has sold out by covering Grooverider I don't give a fuck about. I'm too busy reading the article on that collaboration recording between John Zorn/ Richard James and Herbie Hancock ( joking...) btw: regarding the Wire VVM article: Jim Plotkin isn't Canadian and Jake Mandell is'nt in Phonecia...but heck, nice to see the Mancunian butchers getting some props. Now for the VVM backlash. : ) : ) Once your'e on a cover, you're no longer "cool", yeah? +++++ The CMJ show. Sam Frank was right when he mentioned the downfall of the CMJ opening parties. There are way too many groups and not enough playtime. Keep in mind that *this* years event will be MUCH longer and will also go off in 2 rooms, even though it's at The Roxy. The event, I believe is 9 pm to 3 am or 10 to 4 or something like that. Most of the live acts get 30-45 minutes as well as the dj's with some exceptions. As far as guys in suits, that I can't predict, as CMJ is the big schmoozer industry party of the year. I'll be there, of course if any IDMers want to say hello. I'll be wearing a navy suit, a red tie; will have a cigar and a couple of hookers in tow, and I have a shaved head died blue and a big tatto on ther back of my head that reads " Marylin Manson forever" +++++ For the bloke who asked about Thomas Koner, the Koner solo work is *vastly* different in overall feeling than his Porter Ricks material but the mood and feeling are trademark. Koner's solo work is beatless, ambient and *low*, subterranean *low*. I have an extensive collection of minimal beatless ambient and have rarely heard music as submerged as Koner. Music from the caves. Deep, eerie shit. I recommend them *all* but particularly like Aubrite and the recent Kaamos for starters. +++++ Take care, IDM Peter np: Solaris soundtrack Peter Becker - xxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx, also xxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx Distribution : USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand DJ Pool Asphodel : PO Box 51, Chelsea Station, NY NY 10113 p: (212) 604-9362 , f: (212) 604-0783 , http://www.asphodel.com