January 2016 session – 1/30/2016 – 7:30 PM
The Three Jewels, NYC
BLOATER [lo-fi electronics & effects]
DYLAN NEELY [violin & digital sound processing]
YUSUKE YAMAMOTO [percussion & keyboards]
Live visuals by ALEX NATHANSON
Curated by WvS / Produced by WvS & Miah Artola
Bloater + Dylan Neely + Yusuke Yamamoto + Alex Nathanson @ Ab Uno Pluribus – January 2016 Session – 1/30/2016 from WvS on Vimeo.
BLOATER is the banner for musical activities of Ken B who uses an array of simple electronics (oscillators, stompboxes, etc). Some primary interests are exploring the boundaries between abrasive noise & music, bass frequencies & acoustic pressure, and free improvisation in solo and ensemble formations.
Bloater was originally conceived as a duo, launched in late 2007 with Ken B on electronics and Steve Smith (End Result, Chicago) on noise guitar. An album “Radiac” was recorded in 2009 (self-released in 2011). In late 2011, Steve Smith departed, and other musicians have filled in: Marc Gaetani (objects), Dan Jones (guitar), Brent Landon (guitar), Gabriel Cruz (guitar) and Robert Pepper (synths, electric violin). Bloater continues as a solo project at present. Ken B has also been a member of the free-improv band Clutter aka “$50 Trumpet” with Brett Zweiman and Marc Gaetani, and has performed with the contemporary version of Chicago’s seminal noise-punk band End Result. He has performed in various contexts at Spectrum, The Tank, Wild Torus, Public Assembly, Silent Barn, Goodbye Blue Monday, Front Room Gallery, The Tarot Society, Theaterlab, Legion, The Charleston, Governor’s Island (Figment Fest), Beat Kitchen (Chicago) and others.
DYLAN NEELY is a composer and improviser whose work includes electroacoustic violin performance, opera, sound installation, and various multimedia collaborations. A Fulbright Fellow, Dylan received a B.A. from Bard College at Simon’s Rock and M.F.A. from Mills College. Recent projects include a live scoring collaboration with Marcel Dzama and Luscious Skin presented at MoMA PS1 and Nitehawk Cinema, a European tour with Fan Letters, performing with Zeena Parkins and TILT Brass Sextet at The Stone, and serving as assistant music supervisor and music arranger for the second season of Mozart in the Jungle. In March, Fan Letters will be premiering a new work on an intercity bus trip as part of Flux Factory’s Fung Wah Biennial.
ALEX NATHANSON is an artist, curator, organizer, and educator whose work spans video, sound, performance, and interaction design. His collaborators include Dylan Neely, Kid Millions, Carina Kaufman, Kendall Williams and others. Currently, he is a long-term artist in residence at Flux Factory, in Queens, NY. As an educator, he works with students of all ages teaching skills related to sound, light, mechanics, and electronics through creative projects. He has been hyperbolically described as a “video effects guru” and poorly described as “difficult to describe.”
http://www.alexnathanson.com
http://www.fanletters.info
Born in Hyogo, Japan, YUSUKE YAMAMOTO began studying the organ at age 5, percussion at age 11 and joined a local symphony orchestra soon after. He majored in percussion at Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo, and began his career as a classical percussionist while attending college. When his interests later turned to improvisation and jazz, he was awarded a full scholarship for further studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston. While in Boston, Yusuke studied the vibraphone with Gary Burton, Ed Saindon and performed in numerous concerts, in addition to composing, recording and publishing various works. In 1995, he moved to New York City, where he formed the “Golden Monkeys” and released its first self-titled album in 1998. Yusuke has played with a wide variety of musicians and at countless venues throughout the city. He has toured to Japan, Europe and around the U.S. with groups, including the Golden Monkeys, channel U, Dizzy Ventilators, Chimp Beams, Dub Nomads, Chin Chin, Chiara Civello, Sound of Village, Echo (Joy Askew) and The Beat Kids. Produced and released channel U’s albums, Ape-Man Talking(1st) and So Possible (2nd). Performed on Broadway musical, “FELA!” in 2010. Recorded various instruments with Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) on her produced track “Strange Love” which became the closing theme of Disney movie, “Frankenweenie” directed by Tim Burton in 2012. From 2014 to 2015, Performed with “Blue Man Group” at the special event and also on the TV show.
Living in NY, Yusuke is a multi-instrumental musician who performs on vibraphone, drums, percussion, flute, keyboards and bass. His unique sound is a blend of Asian, Brazilian and African music, as well as jazz, electronica, dub, rock and contemporary classical. He is currently active with his solo project, channel U, and collaborates with several groups, including Monica Lionheart, Vandana Jain, Elysian Field, Dizzy Ventilators and The Heathens.