There are sounds and vibrations everywhere - the sound of singing and speech, hitting a drum, plucking a guitar, playing a flute or a synth. If we can't hear these sounds, we may be able to feel them. There are also lots of sounds we take for granted and don't notice unless we really focus on them - sounds like footsteps, putting a plate on a table the swish of curtains opening and so on. I like to sample and process these 'found sounds' and create new sounds from them. At the moment, I'm listening a lot to the band 'Coil' and the composers Morton Feldman and Iannis Xenakis and focussing on tiny, quiet and almost 'insignificant' sounds. If we stare at a prominent star in the night sky, we may be able to see a faint star in our peripheral vision. We may find it hard to see that faint star if we look directly at it. Correspondingly, if we listen to a prominent sound, we may be able to hear a faint sound somewhere at the same time - harmonics, overtones, sounds, silence.
CONSIDERATE PERFORMER SCHEME
I’m planning to put up a sign at my next gig saying I’m a Considerate Performer 1. I’ll aim not to play too loud or too quiet 2. I’ll make sure I don’t offend people 3. Or maybe just offend people the right amount to give them something to kick against 4. I’ll use Equal Opportunities when I choose my band members I won’t discriminate because of Age, Religion, Ethnicity/nationality, Disability/medical history, Marriage/civil partnership, Pregnancy/maternity/paternity, Gender identity/sexual orientation My next gig will be at The Vortex Jazz Club in London this September - date to be confirmed. Please check my website for gig info – and if anyone would like to join me in setting up a CONSIDERATE PERFORMER SCHEME, please drop me a line. I've been busy writing music for dance from my favourite 'Found Sounds' - tools, household appliances, stationery [yes really!] ball point pens clicking, amplified, processed and blended with guitars, synthesisers and percussion. Next week I begin a new collaboration with the amazing dancer Iona McGuire who just graduated from London Contemporary Dance School - I'm really looking forward to it!
I've just released my new 15 track vinyl album 'ESTEBAN CRUJIDO The Flamenco Guitarist Plays And Sings From The Heart' - It's NU WAVE PUNK PHLEGMENCO with flamenco guitar, samples, synths and Spanish vocals and it's available from my web store.
Glass Garden, my new London music studio is taking shape nicely - I've been working there for 2 months now and enjoying watching a family of 4 foxes being raised - they've grown so quickly, really playful and into climbing. Wonderful inspiration for my music making! |
Stevon Russell
Nu Wave Punk Phlegmenco |