sounding out returns to the lakes

 
 

sounding out is feeling a little rusty. don’t worry, cobwebs are not gathering on the keys, and my sax gets plenty of practice. but i have not been listening to the call of the wild as much. so it is such a pleasure to revisit places of greatness. those two caves are amongst my favourite spaces to resonate. both have a very unique and different atmosphere. a few seconds in rydal cave, and the constant dripping takes you into a different world. however, today has many distractions and people come in and out througout the session.

some nice encounters and cool conversations, but i am used to a more intimate connection to the space itself. normally, i only play to birds, and possibly maybe the spirit of the rock… or to quote some of my musical influences, ‘i talk to the wind’ and ‘the trees are all agreed’. the intention is not to create a spectacle for visitors, however, it’s nice to make someone’s day, and the smile of wonder as kids wave goodbye is kinda cool.

i may not be totally in the zone, but very excited to play this place. and i hope you can hear it…

 
 
 

 

wind in the reeds
alto saxophone, 13 april 2024
rydal cave

 

 

shapes in the shadows
alto saxophone, 13 april 2024
rydal cave

 

 
 
 

 
 

in contrast, cathedral cave is all stillness and suspension. but here too, groups of people visit the site until late. by then, it gets cold and tired, and the saxophone feels it. i still manage to get a good stretch out of this session. some abstract passages offer a nice relief but most of my playing is quite harmonic this time. i feel i’d like it to be more adventurous, but i do not choose what the space inspires. still, i think that the symmetrical shapes which have been my main focus give an interesting colour to my melodies. it is good to realise that what i have been practicing is gradually feeding into my playing, without having to think about it. you dig?

 
 
 

 

taking steps
alto saxophone, 14 april 2024
cathedral cave

 

 

peaceful at the top
alto saxophone, 14 april 2024
cathedral cave

 

 

down the cloughs and the hollows
alto saxophone, 14 april 2024
cathedral cave

 

 

slow drift
alto saxophone, 14 april 2024
cathedral cave

 

 

the ragged edge
alto saxophone, 14 april 2024
cathedral cave

 

 

mirrors
alto saxophone, 14 april 2024
cathedral cave

 

 

avalanche
alto saxophone, 14 april 2024
cathedral cave

 
 
 

l’après monde

those that know me may have noticed i have been in full hermit mode. this may be to compensate for what i should have done during lockdowns. instead of using the period for stillness, with no gig in view, i occupied the time to produce and publish a large amount of work. i mastered and prepared the entire live archive for my band inclusion principle, created another bandcamp site for my own work and prepared albums for release, compiled all my solo electroacoustic performances for the series résonance, created albums from various field recordings, etc. this can be found on my bandcamp page.

during that time, i also produced three albums and released two of them: a wonderful duo with gus garside published by 377, and Inclusion Principle’s fourth. this is the third composition which has not yet been heard.

‘l’après monde’ started with henry recording piano and trombone at his home in the south of france. we have played as a duo for several years. henry is a wonderful pianist who took up the trombone around the same time as i switched to saxophone. we were part of an amazing network of improvisers and have played acoustic improvisation and gigged during many of my visits in the area. here, we use a very different approach while working from separate countries. plus, this collaboration takes on a new colour with the addition of electronic sounds and treatment. some of the things i was exploring in this piece paved the way to compositions for the Inclusion Principle album i worked on next.

i cut up the recordings henry sent me, drawing sections of improvisation, and shorter clips to create space and dynamic flow, radical changes between tableaux that organically unfold. i used samplers for the trombone, looped riffs, layered harmonic sections, processed the piano to create spectral clouds, etc. and thus, using henry’s material as building blocks, i arranged the structure for four pieces.

in all four, i gradually added electronic rhythms, field recordings and sound sculptures that are part of my palette, enjoying the possibilities found in ableton live 10 and creating new sounds. i then added alto sax improvisations, at times duetting with henry’s phrasing, at time playing in contrast, and flying off over loops or beats. the interplay, i hope, portrays the energy and excitement typical of our duo, and yet feels very different with added studio time and wide soundscapes. i rather like the balance between the raw energy of improvisation and the playful compositional techniques i have used.

this work seems to explore many areas of contemporary music, including jazz, improvisation, electronic, new music and electroacoustic composition. imagine a car crash between rothko and pollock. cezanne cries in a corner. the scene, smudged in the rain. 

 

 

i am very pleased to share this work with you, and i hope you enjoy listening. drop us a line and let us know… pass the word, and please support the artists featured.

Sounding Out Thor’s Cave 2023

no need for words. the space speaks for itself through the saxophone. every visit has a different vibe. such an inspiration. enjoy…

 

 

call of the wild
alto saxophone, 09 august 2023
thor’s cave

 

 

underground torrent
alto saxophone, 09 august 2023
thor’s cave

 

 

the sun sets in silence
alto saxophone, 09 august 2023
thor’s cave

 

 

sinuous
alto saxophone, 09 august 2023
thor’s cave

 

 

the last curtain
alto saxophone, 09 august 2023
thor’s cave

 

Sounding Out Cathedral Cave – june 2023

a most welcome return to a spectacular location.

cathedral cave is a very unique and wonderful place both in terms of atmosphere and acoustics. this time, the weather gives a very different quality to the experience of the place. i have been walking in the area in blazing sunshine, swimming in the clear water of lakes surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

i arrive to the cave tired, warm and pretty blissed out from such stunning scenery. the cool space provides a nice shelter from the heat. and although it is still busy that late in the day, the imposing presence of this carved architecture sets a strong mood that is serene.

the name of cathedral cave is well deserved.

here, time stops.

and from the very fist notes, i enter that very special place fully.

both evenings, i play for a period of time, blending melodic passages, progressions, and overtones, taking advantage of this unique and powerful reverb. some sections play with the different effects the space offers – the interplay of tones in the sustain is fascinating… two notes linger and dance in the space and each interval a different pattern. each triad swirls a different spin.

although the space mostly inspires a gentle play of tones and melody, more angular shapes find their way in the improvisations. symmetrical structures bounce across the spectrum from one axis to the next. geometric shapes climb the raw surface of the rock. a little slack in the rope allows for smudges of movement. chromatic whirls send phases off-center. the space responds and blesses the ear with stunning sound effects.

 

 

 

the first line
alto saxophone, 13 june 2023
cathedral cave

 

blurred boundaries
alto saxophone, 13 june 2023
cathedral cave

 

the space in between
alto saxophone, 13 june 2023
cathedral cave

 

 

wind swept plains
alto saxophone, 14 june 2023
cathedral cave

 

slack bounce
alto saxophone, 14 june 2023
cathedral cave

 

a study of small shapes
alto saxophone, 14 june 2023
cathedral cave

 

Sounding Out Stoney Middleton St Martin’s 2022

i spent two days across moorland chasing after deer sounds, fawning across the fern and forests for close encounters. finally had a long and silent eye contact with the big dude. not a single sound. on the last evening, nearly out of earshot of constant distant traffic, i find antlers clashing and guttural calls… proved to be worth the wait.

for a change of scenery and ticks removed, i head down the valley to a small church in the village of stoney middleton, tucked away in the rocks. the space is open and bright, the sound welcoming. it is a quiet morning and the light filters through and gently lifts the faded colours of this interesting interior.

skylines
alto saxophone, 14 oct 2022
st martins, stoney middleton

   

harvest
alto saxophone, 14 oct 2022
st martins, stoney middleton

   

rolling free
alto saxophone, 14 oct 2022
st martins, stoney middleton

   

the bell calls
alto saxophone, 14 oct 2022
st martins, stoney middleton

   

   

Sounding Out Thor’s Cave 2022

Such a pleasure to return to this very inspiring location, full of character and fire. There are many distractions and flow is sometimes difficult… One has to be mindful of their steps… it is a long slide down. Birds always join in. Visitors come for a chat. Great times.

It is usually quite late when the space opens, and i end up recording as the light goes down. i’ve always found that the energy is quite mixed, and playing here is an interesting challenge. But this can be rewarding too to find inspiration and flow when it is not as obvious and giving as in other locations. Simple ideas seem to be a thread, and i enjoy the minimal motifs that come out of the improvisations, leaving space for textural connections and more busy runs. The moods also clash – at times gentle, but more often, there is a full-on explosion of sound and it feels like the fingers barely keep up. This place is raw. And i like it.

step up
alto saxophone, 14 may 2022
thor’s cave

   

indecision
alto saxophone, 14 may 2022
thor’s cave

   

colour clash
alto saxophone, 14 may 2022
thor’s cave

   

bird view
alto saxophone, 14 may 2022
thor’s cave

   

 

two paths
alto saxophone, 15 may 2022
thor’s cave

   

ajna – the tao of three
alto saxophone, 15 may 2022
thor’s cave

   

Tri_an_gle trio EPK

tri_an_gle trio

 

Maria Kalnars: piano
Ian Robinson: double bass
Hervé Perez: alto saxophone

 

 

 

contact:
Maria – mariakalnarsart’at’gmail.com
Hervé – sndsukinspook’at’live.com

 

 

 

A recently formed trio of improvising musicians, double bass, sax, piano.  The music ranges from intense sparsity to blasting phrases and ethereal noise. Long, haunting melodic material is developed with interplay amongst the musicians, who gently push each other to extend their expression.  The trio move together in the musical journey, which crosses from abstraction to rhythmic episodes and develops jazz-influenced rhythms and harmony. Each player’s long experience of improvising allows for deep listening, and more exploratory soundscapes involving extended techniques, vocals and electronic treatment.

 

 

 

 

biography

Maria Kalnars

Piano, melodica, viola, voice. Maria had a classical training, including post-graduate study and musicological analysis.  She plays jazz and improvised music, and also has long experience of working in community and educational projects in London and elsewhere. She has a broad and varied range of influences from Theolonius Monk to Morton Feldman. Maria also develops graphic scores for tri_an_gle and  ifitisn’t – an improvising electronic duo with Ian Robinson. She has also produced the artwork for the mini CD cover of ifitisn’t: colophon (focused silence records), and for several other artists’ recordings.

https://ifitisnt.bandcamp.com/

Ian Robinson

Double-bass, Eurorack modular, guitars, sonic sundries. Works in jazz, improvised and experimental electronic music (ifitisn’t).  A self-taught player, his influences include electronic pioneers such as Henri Pousseur and Luc Ferrari, as well as the many great jazz bass players (Wilbur Ware to Henry Grimes and Charlie Haden) and the improvising guitarist Roger Smith (SME), long-time mentor. Current practice influenced by the philosophy and methods of the late John Stevens.

Gigs – London: fringe theatre, (Finborough Arms, Portlands). Regular performances in jazz quartet/quintet. City Lit band. Sheffield: improvised music work with Adam Woolf (as, cl), John Jasnoch (gtr), Derek Saw (tpt). Jazz and improvising duo with Maria Kalnars.

Airplay (ifitisn’t): Resonance FM, A Duck in a Tree, FSK 93.00 Hamburg, Zoviet France

https://ifitisnt.bandcamp.com/

Hervé Perez

improviser, sound and visual artist, hervé performs spontaneous compositions with saxophones and laptop, using processed field recordings. his work is influenced by practices such as jazz, electro-acoustic, contemporary music, experimental electronics, free improvisation, immersive sound art and techniques of sound therapy.

https://nexttime.bandcamp.com/

full bio – ‘about’

 

 

for bookings, please see contact above.

 

technical details

maria performs on an acoustic piano; a grand piano with access to strings prefered.

stereo PA for the use of electronics prefered, although we also play acoustic music – tbc

Sounding Out – the Peak District

The Peak District on my doorstep, it is easy to nip out and see so much beauty. A little further afield, the limestone valleys offer a different type of landscape. i don’t often go that far and so missed the area and decided to return to known places, in the south peaks.

It was wet in wetton. Storm was on the menu, and it did not disappoint. But first, in the day, it was really hot and sunny. Walking up the hills was fairly taxing and many people were out swimming in the rivers.

By the evening, the distant lightning provided a spectacular display; with stars above, flashes lit up gorgeous cloud formations. The flashes were relentless, it was like watching fireworks and the storm being so distant, it was completely silent. Quite a surreal scene. And it took a while for the rain to arrive. And here too, it did not disappoint.

Another magic moment, in the morning, from a nearby bridge, i watched the empty and dry river bed fill up with rain water that slowly had filtered throught the limestone and started flowing, making this most amazing trickle sound, like pebbles coming to life.

But let’s rewind a little to the end of the day, after a wonderful walk in blazing sunshire, and as the weather was slowly turning, i climbed into the imposive stature of Thor’s Cave. Possibly due to the radiant weather, and also to a long period of lockdown, i found the area more busy than usual, and it was a while until there was a quiet moment. i had time to enjoy the golden glowing of slanting light that came into the cave from the side opening. Taking the time to get back in touch with the space i once knew well (a scroll through previous sounding out recordings will show many visits to this site), i could get into the vibe and ready for some improvisation.

As soon as i got the saxophone out and sounded out a few notes into the space, to warm up, the music started to flow. At the end of the session, as the light was diminishing, a single wood pigeon was singing outside the entrance of the cave. I picked up the melody and recorded one last piece.

 

 

the fifth step
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
thor’s cave

 

 

shadow theatre
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
thor’s cave

 

 

spin the riff
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
thor’s cave

 

 

the wood pigeon song
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
thor’s cave

 

 

 

After a little break, i continued on down the valley, to a tunnel of incredible property. The sound there is just outstanding. After playing in the cave, my lips were starting to tire, but i could not help sending a few notes spinning down that long tube a watch the frequencies merge. Each set of notes shimmers in its own way, creating further overtones, bending notes to align with the tunnel resonance. I could have played triads forever, just listening to the long tail slowly fade. With circular breathing, the tones eventually blend into a mass of sound that slowly modulates overtones. This place has always been a treat.

 

infinite
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
swainsley tunnel

 

 

merger
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
swainsley tunnel

 

 

scats o’long tails
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
swainsley tunnel

 

 

dark skies ahead
alto saxophone, 11 august 2020
swainsley tunnel

 

 

 

On the second day, i wanted to go back to the cave and record some more, explore different textures. I am not sure if the deliberate approach was wise, in any case, i could not really force any ideas as is usually true with this project. I just had to go with the flow. And on that second day, the vibe was quite different. There were many distractions and it took quite a while for things to settle down, and even while playing, there were a few interruptions. Still, even though i found it more difficult to get into the zone, some interesting material came out. And indeed, the results were more high energy flow and abstract than the first session which was predominently melodic. In places like this, i find the vibe and the music that comes out a lot more free and raw than in churches, for obvious reasons.

 

 

another round
alto saxophone, 12 august 2020
thor’s cave

 

 

bustle in the valley
alto saxophone, 12 august 2020
thor’s cave

 

 

waltzing wood in the wind
alto saxophone, 12 august 2020
thor’s cave

 

Sounding Out – back to the beginning

There is something intimate about the forest. This is where Sounding Out started out. And in the current situation, accessing churches or any type of public architecture is difficult. Playing outdoors has an immediate quality. The sound of the saxophone is pure. Just dry, dead pan, as it is, no embelishment, no phase tweaking and bounce reflections. In the cool air, it is also slightly raw. Raunchy is the mood.

I’ve just had a series of powerful meditations lately, and i’ve been reflecting on a phenomena with light hitting a waterfall (see my video on reflections on a weir called moving lines). Such reflections took me back to symmetrical figures and the fractal approach to music i have been developing. After meditation, i walked out into the forest with my saxophone and continued my reflections, this time it is the instrument that leads me into similar figures i had seen. Inspired by this experience, i later returned to the same spot and recorded some improvisations.

From the open space immediate sound, i gradually step deeper into the trees and the sounds change. It comes as no surprise our ancestors believed that trees had spirits. As i play in the midst of this thick woods, the trees come alive and respond to the saxophone sounds. There’s calls in the night, shrieks and hullulations, and there’s some jazz licks too, abstract and angular, that all come out into the deep, the dark, impenetrable lush texture of trees.

 

On the return journey, after walking in Northumberland through splendid scenery and lush forests, i stopped in the well known church in Newby. This place never disappoints. The doors are always open, and the acoustics always gives. I have spent much time here, and always had such inspiration in this very quiet space.

Here again, carried by the flow, i play uninterrrupted for 45 minutes.

 

 

 

vajra light
alto saxophone, 24 july 2020
holystone forest

 

 

 

conseil des sages
alto saxophone, 26 july 2020
newby church

 

 

 

un sage conseil
alto saxophone, 26 july 2020
newby church

sounding out scotland 2019 pt 2

 

The journey through Scotland continues along the west coast in a weather that reminds you how wild this place can get. The beautiful scenery can very rapidly become threatening and one feels much exposed.

I much awaited visiting this next location again. The church in Arisaig is such a wonderful space with grand acoustics. The weather has been beating the coast and i feel my general mood is not quite making the most of this incredible place. Time will tell, perhaps the music turns out better, but at the time i felt i was not quite in tune and the flow did not quite transport me. I decided to take a break and walk around the space. The mood turned when, at the back of the church i encountered a statue that reminded me of the figurehead of boats. The woman depicted here is guided by a star and seems to be raising the spirit through turbulent water. The thought had a profound effect on me and i felt the deep sadness of families that await as waves and wild weather beat the shore, expecting the boats that never returned. Those claimed by the sea have a hidden presence along this coast. I felt it all here, and the last piece i played, at the edge of tears, starts at the back of the church, slowly moving forward with each repetition of a gentle melodic motif, interspersed with waves and runs. This incredible experience came to a stop as the church bell ominously rang on the last long note of the piece. This was it. I had touched on the story of that place and sat in silence.

Another old favourite, on Applecross, this plain chapel is all wood and gentle resonance. Inside feels like a warm(ish) shelter from the wild elements out there. This recording was made in two sessions and the second take in the morning was cut short by rising waters that threatened to take over all exits. The drive over the pass was epic with incredibly powerful torrents forcing their way under bridges and overflowing banks. But before this, we barely made it through the tracks and the road that had turned into a lake.

So this session again is tainted by turmoil and turbulent water. And this chapel has a certain quality that encourages a free flowing explosion of energy. Inspired by the rain that did not quite fall as much as headbutt the ground and the beaten rocks, the music barges and sways, turns and thrashes through a whole range of moods. There is some redemption in the madness of the elements, but the suspension is short lived. Notes splatter and crash-splash percussively then power-flow forcefully, tortured with split tones and gnarling blows forced through the saxophone. A single bird soars its pretty song and we are straight back in the maelstrom.

This place simply never disappoints – it has always been a highlight of my sonic explorations. And the music feels freer, what this place inspires is just something else.

 

 

.
.
.

dusk falling on a calm sea
alto saxophone, 27 august 2019
st mary, arisaig

.
.
.
.

slow silver sky
alto saxophone, 27 august 2019
st mary, arisaig

.
.
.

as rain beats those ragged rocks
alto saxophone, 27 august 2019
st mary, arisaig

.
.
.

those of the sea
alto saxophone, 27 august 2019
st mary, arisaig

.
.
.

broody approach
alto saxophone, 29 august 2019
clachan church, applecross

.
.
.

maelrubha and the waves
alto saxophone, 29 august 2019
clachan church, applecross

.
.
.

all sails
alto saxophone, 29 august 2019
clachan church, applecross

.
.
.

hail all saints
alto saxophone, 29 august 2019
clachan church, applecross

.
.
.

maelrubha’s prayer
alto saxophone, 29 august 2019
clachan church, applecross

.
.
.

a steady rain pulsed through the night
alto saxophone, 29 august 2019
clachan church, applecross

.
.
.