Korg Dastardly Dynamic Digital Drums

In yesterday's blog post, I spoke about our Korg DDD-5 drum machine.  Well, here is the box to our one-of-a-kind Korg DDDD-5.  The extra "D" is for "Dastardly"!  This unit was a collaboration between Korg and Kendal Chandler.  Kendal  added the extra "D".

P.S. This was purchased on 12/23/87 at Washington Music Center (Chuck Levin's) in DC.  I have the receipt if you don't believe me.

Never Had A Name

It's hard to believe this improv was recorded over 25 years ago.  In September 1989, we were exploring new sonic territories at Der Palast des Goldes studio.  Though we had a newly christened band name, Any Questions?, this improv really falls more in line with what has become our Imbued Vagary project.

We had a relatively modest (for us) studio set up at this point.  This was before we had a sampler or our E-MU Pro/Cussion so my trusty Korg DDD-5 drum machine handled all drum chores.  Korg ruled our set up in those early days and you can hear MC2P4 laying down a menacing synth bass line on his Korg DW-6000 while he adds additional melodies and sounds on our Ensoniq ESQ-1.

My nickname for this improv should have been Ttam "Never Stops Soloing" Troll.  Upon listening to this, I can tell that I'm firmly locked into Program 58 on my Korg DW-8000.  I was still quite new at playing synths in 1989 but, listening back, it doesn't seem like it took me long to get the hang of it.

This improv, entitled Never Had A Name, really did have one.  Oh well, I hope you enjoy it!



P.S.  This photo was taken on 11/24/90 at the very first Any Questions? live performance.

Steve O Man Hats & Synths

Steve O Man checking out the Korg Z1 during FFS II Synth Jam 2014 - Ebola on 08/09/14.

New Imbued Vagary Logos

I thought I'd shared these new Imbued Vagary logos.  Could this mean there are new releases on the horizon?

It Sang to Him

This track, titled It Sang to Him, is the companion to The Sun Came Out Last Night.  It was actually recorded before The Sun Came Out Last Night during the FFS II Synth Jam 2015 - First Strike session on 01/01/15 but seems more fitting as a companion or reprise to the latter.  Again, the Ensoniq EPS is utilized quite extensively by layering sample after sample.  The sample, “He says the sun came out last night.  He says it sang to him.” is also used here.  I guess you can’t use a good sample too much.

The personnel on this track consists of Dave Chandler (aka Thee Sub One Genius) on Rhythmic Metronome and Matt Norcross (aka Ttam Troll) on Ensoniq EPS samples and Moog Minimoog bass drones.

The Sun Came Out Last Night

Floating Fish Studios held its first Synth Jam Session of 2015 at FFS II on 01/01/15.  Fresh from Imbued Vagary’s live streaming event on NYE 2015, the ensemble gathered included (from L to R) Matt Norcross (aka Ttam Troll), M Scott McConnell (aka MC2P4), and Dave Chandler (aka Thee Sub One Genius).

This track, titled The Sun Came Out Last Night, is another sample laden collage of electronic noise from the session.  MC2P4 takes the lead on this.  Layering multiple samples on the Ensoniq EPS while Thee Sub One Genius and Ttam Troll add analog, digital, and virtual instruments.

The Dream Passes On

Edgar Froese, founding member of the band Tangerine Dream and an electronic music pioneer, passed away after suffering a pulmonary embolism on January 20th.  

His influence on my musical career is immeasurable.  His music, the soundtrack of my life.  From light and ethereal to dark and foreboding, his music is very personal to me and I have always felt comfort as I traveled through the soundscapes he created.

I am thankful that he shared so much wonderful music with the world and that it will live on.  I'm also grateful that I had the chance to meet him, shake his hand, and tell him these things.