songs and sounds

It is still hot here is Helsinki and life seems busy and blissful. A few weeks ago I finished my sound work for Performing Paper #7. It is Called Kuilu / Void and is 20 minutes in length. 

Overall I am happy with the result, although there are a few things I would have changed if I would have had the time. I have got quite a bit of positive feedback so that is always lovely. The Tristanuevo album What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Weaker was also played and wen't down well from what I understand. We also made a small series of singles to be sold at the event. I have not found out if any were sold but hopefully :D

Tristanuevo also has a gig coming up in a 1,5 weeks, and I am nervous. In a good way. I want to find a crazy (slightly) ugly sequinned dress to wear, that way if I don’t sing well i'll still sparkle ***

Other wise I am working on the Cypher Documents art work.  

Cold Coffee and Warm Bananas

My first week in my very own studio is almost up. I am in love with this space: physical, mental and metaphysical. For the first time in years I have a place where I can keep my “crazy” :) So far there is only a desk two chairs and a lot of stuff that needs shelves and filing cabinet but I am happy because I can finally see what I am doing. I had not even realised how stifled I'd felt working from home. Now I come to work and go home to rest. Happy.

It is 30C outside for the third day running and I am sweating, drinking cold coffee (I haven't got a kettle yet) and eating warm bananas to keep myself from keeling over in hunger. Eating warm bananas in this kind of heat really does make you feel like a monkey. A happy monkey !

I am working on my sound piece for Performing Paper that will be taking place from June 22^nd to August 3^rd. The preview is on thursday june 20^th 6-8pm.

The sound work is coming along well and will be finished, packaged and posted to Manchester on Monday. The work is quite different from previous ones I've made and as a result is taking longer then I anticipated. There is a lot to learn and so far I feel proud of what I've managed to do. There is a clear shift from atmospherical sound stories to a more lyrical and complex form of sound, sound that also incorporates a lot more music than before. I am using an African thumb piano called a Kalimba in Alto, a Kantele which is a type of traditional Finnish harp as well as the guitar and piano. I am still using sounds from the forest and city that I combine together with melodies i've created and song.

There I much to do still so I will get back to it...