Within the last semester of my schooling, I designed a personal website. A goal was to implement a blog that was attached directly to my website to keep my content close and easy for whoever is reading. The blog section is designed in WordPress so the vibe is still an easy navigation. I don’t plan to post from here any further, so if you are curious, check it out over here.
Spring 2014 Update (Wet Eyes Productions)
It’s been a little publicly quite over here at Wet Eyes Productions, but there’s been a handful of projects coming up. The first being a collaborative split cassette between Ross Baker and Wet Eyes. Pretty self-explanatory as to who’s part of the tape, but there is a twist to the release. The Europe release will be through Bullfinch Art and Tapes where as the US release will be through Wet Eyes Productions. The release will be available this spring sometime around late April/early May. Updates on that through either labels, so keep an eye out if you’re interested.
In other works, I have been in contact with a smooth MC from Minneapolis, Danielle Chéri. I will be producing the instrumentals for her to float her rhymes and vocals through. Friends of her are sure to be placed in auditory cameos as a flavor in the mix. This project is in the early stages, but the record drop should be sometime this year. More than likely to have updates on that as time goes on through either name’s social media outlets. In the meantime, dig in to her work below…
There’s always something going on over at Wet Eyes Productions, so feel free to follow either the WEP Twitter or Facebook page if you’d like frequent updates for now. In the future, I plan to switch over to a monthly email but for now those are the easiest to keep updated. Also, if you haven’t been in the loop, Wet Eyes’ “Thujone” is officially on Spotify.
Polaroids
Technology of the past is something that is still a conversation topic, but I can’t fully say I’m convinced that there’s an equal level of appreciation in comparison to how often “vintage” gadgets are mentioned. Two of my personal favorites are Polaroid Cameras and Cassette Tapes. I believe there’s a misunderstanding with the trends surrounding both. The draw with each and why one may spend any amount of money is for the charm. It’s hard to deny that charm and nostalgia can have any pull whatsoever, but it’s true. The charm that there was another human for certain on the other end of that document. It creates an almost sense of company.
This is going to come as a sort of ironic thread below, but I’ve decided to share a few of my favorite Polaroids that I have taken in the spirit of charm (and to be honest, I’m also trying to use WordPress more…) So please, enjoy.
Halloween this year…
Is it me or is Halloween just not the same anymore? Maybe I’m just getting old…
Considering candy is still fantastic, horror films are still a thing, and the emerging of old (arguably creepy) Halloween costume photos floating around, all really isn’t lost. One could suppose there really isn’t a “lost” for a corporate holidays eh? I digress…
Through the study of Halloween releases some of the more “off-beat” artists enjoy releasing things for this specific holiday. I am of the guilty party (last year’s release of Freezing Thoughts on Halloween…) for sure. This year, still as guilty but with a new visit.
I am honored to present a release this year of completely external music. I have had nothing to do with any of the recordings except for transferring them to the physical medium of cassette. I guess this may be considered the first release as a record label versus a self release label. I am beyond happy with the artists who have agreed to collaborate on this release.
One of the sides features the works of Adam Worthan. I’m not sure who discovered who’s soundcloud page first, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed following him ever since our digital paths have crossed. His works (more specifically on this release) remind me of how an industrial park looking over a body of water should sound, at night. Adam’s works are the kind keeping me logging back in to fill my ears with the latest brain soothe.
The alter side features works from Anthony Record, aka “Long Pond”. His works on Pageants is what brought my mental to be flossed through ambient music in the first place. It was the first tape I spent over a year hunting patiently. His works as digital just doesn’t cut it (this goes for his visual works as well) as analog tapes really open up his work. The featured side entitled “Lie-Gore” sparks a thought through the movie rendition of Naked Lunch scored from more modern equipment.
Long story long, one side is an artist who keeps me coming back and the other side is an artist who forged my interest in ambient music. It’s been a pleasure to have both artists in on board for this collaboration.
NOW AVAILABLE
Summer Recap… or something.
I completely understand the real last day of summer is September 21st, 2013. I also understand a lot falls through the cracks on social media. Now that I think of it, a lot falls through the cracks in real life just the same.
Call a seasonal break what you will, but here’s some of the particles of an open online crack…
If you are familiar with who Laura Moser is and of her story line, the energy around this project shouldn’t be far off. Friend and fellow artist Tony Schauf and I released our second set of movements under this umbrella (full length here…).
Whenever a moment is spared on the memories of high school, an extra bedroom filled with instruments and the smell of odd hours rings a few nostalgic bells. Trevor Klopp and I have been documenting some sort of music for a lost count of years and we are finally buffing out the smudges to share vamped ideas. The full length labeled as Electric Gauge is due this September as well as a charity/fundraising around that release (post about that soon…).
Not sure how the majority lives, but there’s always some sort of study beyond whatever is generally being studied. Looking inner on oneself is kind of an intimidation. Have you ever thought of your anatomy as colors? How about as dimensions? As a 2D map? What about others around you of whom you care about? (“Deeper than Vanity” out late fall 2013)
…and this.
So many conversations to be had, so many moves to make, so many movies to watch. The seconds spent lying stomach down in bed leading to pulling the plug on some thoughts. Have you taken your thankful moment to remember the Mayan calendar situation was a spoof?
Under the Scope… Ambient
Editor’s Note: A small while ago, Ross Auger (link) and I were exchanging messages as we normally do. Mentioned to me was an interest in writing. What transpired is a piece on ambient music entitled “Under the Scope,” which I graciously offered to extend to the blog as a means to cover a genre that’s cherished in the Electronic world. Not only this, but the article continues on an exploratory method of uncovering underground sounds in a way the 2020kblog project was founded upon (and also in the way Amber Waves and I do things through our monthly Hidden Gems and Northern Lights features).
Without further ado, I’m proud to present “Under the Scope…Ambient” to you.
There have been articles making rounds in the creative fields of how a little bit of ambient sound can kick start your productive juices (example). As much weight as a coffee…
View original post 510 more words
Art: Summer 2013
This summer I was enrolled in an art course.
Below are just a few of the output that came from it…
Untitled #1
Ink, 16×21
Black Jack
Ink and Tracing Paper, 17×23
Ghost of One
Ink, 17×23
Two Loons
Ink/Pastel/Charcoal/Ink Wash, 17.5×23.5
Giraffe Safari
Ink, 18×24
Hand for Two
Ink, 18×24
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If you have an interest in any of these, you can reach me at
rossaauger at gmail.com
These are all original single art pieces, not part of a series.
Hope you’ve enjoyed.
-Ross-
Water
There’s a point that’s made in Melville’s Moby Dick that’s obliviously interesting.
“Were the Niagara but a cataract of sand, would you travel your thousand miles to see it?’
It’s absurd how staring out your window just isn’t quite the same without rain. A desert has powerful energy, but imagine a thunderstorm in the middle of a dry canyon. Next level stuff yeah?
There’s something to be said for how water can easily be taken for granted. I’ve recently taken up lap swimming and my mind is cleared significantly more after a good swim compared to a run or even bike ride. When thinking of the other elements, yeah we sit around a fire, but a bonfire is not the same as going to the lake. I suppose to take that thought further, you can build a bonfire near the lake, but you can’t build a lake near a bonfire (unless you’ve got a mad bankroll to afford the task).
With these partial thoughts in mind, here are some projects I’ve come across recently with water in context that have just soaked my brain with intrigue.
Jürgen Müller was a German oceanographer who spent somewhere around 30 years of his life out amongst the sea. The story goes, while he was studying at the University of Kiel, he bought some music recording gear and set it up on his house boat. He went on to translate the more artistic versus scientific interest into music. The album is marked to be released around 1948 but has since been re-issued via Digitalis Recordings. Not the first time the ocean has been used as a muse, but I have yet to find the subject of the ocean exhausted You can read in more in depth on the project through the link, but below is the music to speak further for itself.
As common as rain can be, there’s not much competition for naturally occurring attractions. There’s something about a field recording that drowns your subconscious with the sounds of water bombarding surface areas. The more therapeutic side of water bleeds through waterfalls, streams, rushing rivers…I digress.
rAndom International has designed a way via 3D projections and a mystifying contraption for you to experience rain without getting wet. The rain room, as it’s called, is currently installed at NYC’s MoMa through July 28th, 2013.
I could go on and on and on and on and on….
about water. Links for days of cool projects (water influenced through sine waves to name one), beautiful pictures of subaquatic life, sounds of waves crashing, etc. If there’s ever a block in creativity or brain blockage of some sort, maybe some time near water is all that’s needed.
Future/Early 2013
It’s been a while since the last “Official” update.
This year, I have had three releases so far (Abstract Hat, Silver Lining, Wolf Fluorescence/Wet Eyes Split) as well as a featured remix on the 2020k Contagion Remix album.
With all of that being said, there are always things in the works. Potential releases are as follows; The next cassette release via Wet Eyes Productions, hip hop collaboration sequal album, as well as the next full length. All will remain vauge, for now.
The next release will be presented on an odd format, via postcard. If you would like to participate, your mailing address will eventually be needed. If this gets you curious, drop your info to weteyesproductions(at)gmail.com. More info soon…
As far as theme goes, here’s a hint…
Synthesis from Ross Auger on Vimeo.
Review: New Life – A New Beginning
To start off with a personal belief, it’s almost impossible to keep your ears in one genre of music. It’s difficult imagine someone’s mind who is stubborn to just metal, just jazz, just electronica, and so on and so forth. There’s so many good grooves out there to bounce yourself along with.
Hip Hop group New Life vibes into your ear drums with swinging beats and catchy hooks. I’ve had the chorus of “Crackin’ Up” running through my head since I woke up this morning. Supporting the music to a new level of A New Beginning is the production work. When I had attended the Institute of Production and Recording, I was fellow classmates with MonopoleJoe/Sayjak and Signature (two of the dudes in New Life). These guys were of the few who were utilizing the studios beyond the required hours for class. It’s pretty obvious that the time spent crafting their work is paying off.
A New Beginning opens up with some sampled stutters breathing into the beat of “You Can Do It Well”. This track (as well as a few others) presents reminiscent elements of old school hip hop where a main beat will show you the way of the track while taking minor breaks for a drop here and there. Something about the track also has almost an elegant feel. By that I mean if I were at a masquerade ball, I might ask the DJ to throw on “You Can Do It Well”.
Sci-fi droplets picking over as the bass line slowly approaches through a volume swell welcoming you into “Clock In”. As soon as the beat drops, I find myself resisting a good air drumming session. I apologize for not being too well versed with the individual voices of New Life, but the first verse rocks solid phrasing through the flow. Tons of personality through this track. Mentioning the phrasing again, the chorus has unique carry of words, “Put in the work/all the sweat and the hurt“. You would think referencing music to work would come off as someone complaining but this is the opposite. Those who create music and do their own production, know how much work goes into presenting your tracks exactly how you intend. “Clock In” bounces as a celebration in said work. Personally, makes me want to fire up ProTools.
“On the 13”. I honestly don’t how to put it into words without coming off pushy, but if there is one song in this collection that you NEED to check out, this is it. If this song doesn’t cradle your disgruntled attitude towards hip hop into some sort of affection, your on your own. The download of A New Beginning landed in my media player on January 1st (the release date) and this track has already made itself into my Top 25 Most Played. The kick emphasizes the inevitable head bobbing while ambient keys create a triumphant and almost emotional surrounding. For those of us who have grown up on rock music might know about the Spinal Tap joke about amps on 11. The chorus of “On the 13” completely dismisses eleven and twelve and proclaims the untouchable level of 13. I also get the feeling that this song welcomes 2013 with hands in the air and slow motion dancing while crushing any thoughts of 13 being an unlucky number.
“Hell Yeah (Makin’ moves)” is as if you’re about to observe a serious match of Mortal Kombat. The bass line bumps along in almost a stomp promoted by the shamisen riff. With an vibe of world music, it’s pretty awesome to have a simple beat rocking the rhythm along. A unique blend that is done infrequently but when done properly, how could you complain?
“You want all the money and not a portion?” Sounds like a concept to a mainstream rap song yeah? You won’t find any bragging of dollar count here. “Crackin’ Up” is a fresh contrary to the main bulk of rap music. Within one of the verses, the lyrics even express not wanting to be a prick. This track has a humble undertone of a mindset that just loves music, not the fame. Again, a nice opposition to your typical rap song. The same sort of reminiscence of old school hip hop stated earlier rings through “Crackin’ Up” this track blooms into a cloud rap-esque chorus getting that hook glued into your conscious. “Fame, it’s not what it’s cracked up to be be be…”
“Finding Gold” steps in with a classy emotion. There’s a tension that holds between each piano cord and it’s following riff. It’s a not so distant detour from the rest of the tracks showing some versatility. The lyrics take a solemn side step. I almost imagine each MC sitting down next to a kid whose growing up, reminding them that things may be messed up but there’s gold somewhere. Gold maybe as a metaphor for the things in life worth while.
“Avengers” is a reminder of what encompasses New Life. As each verse passes through MC to MC, I realize that none of the segues between each person contains any chop or stutter. Clean microphone passing keeping the flow of lyrics just as solid as the flow between each member of the crew. Between the beat and the main progression, theres a sub melody that can be noticed as almost a signature piece to New Life tracks. The sub melody fills out the background nodding to the beat, but in a joining bounce. On a side note, I understand folks are back into Pokemon. There’s a nod to catching them all for all you culty people. Dig it.
The EP comes to a solid closing with what is noted as a Bonus track, “Had to Run” . Right off the first verse, there are some clever lyrics that gave me a few chuckles. “I’m spittin’ on em cause I can count to potato…” I’m rockin that right, right? As the chorus pans back an forth between your ears and brain, there is actually a sense of running and dipping. Also noted, this song only features Signature, Reidy, and MonopoleJoe. All of the guys in New Life present unique pieces to the group but it is nice to hear these three dudes with more time allowed to speak their piece.
Their Facebook page (click here) states that the dudes behind the project are
“MonoPoleJoe, Signature, Reidy, BDaMan, Bill$ and Burgdaddy. It also features production from their in-house producers, SayJak and Signature as well as production from Slomo.”
For a New Life intro into the music world, this is no basement mixtape. What these guys made is just the beginning, a new one at that. You can stream A New Beginning below or follow usual procedure for a free download (can’t beat free).
rossauger 