Dance of the Computer Lab

Time Lapse Video with Musical Soundtrack 2009

show this ⇓
Dance of the Computer Lab

The Desk
Watch video

At present, there are thousands of webcams or networked security cameras that broadcast publicly over the Internet. A simple Google search reveals countless results for these types of cameras, including many that may not intended for public scrutiny but are catalogued nonetheless by search bots. The ceaseless flow of images from these autonomous cameras is typically ephemeral and unremarked, but provides fertile material for artistic investigation.

In my project I harvest these ambient video streams, using a telematic practice of ’sampling’ the photographs from the virtual cameras, and transform them into video-music compositions and rhythmic micro-narratives. I meld the found images, which are often disassociated from any recognizable locality, into time-lapse videos, then use the minutiae of these tiny vignettes as a visual ’score’ for which I compose a tightly-synchronized musical accompaniment. These videos provide a means of visualizing temporary and fleeting moments that are ordinarily invisible in our experience of everyday life. The resulting rhythms of change, textures of image, patterns of human movement, and qualities of light are mirrored by musical motifs that form an expressive, subtle portrait of the original spaces, of which the location remains unknown.

hide this ⇑

The Desk

Time Lapse Video with Soundtrack 2009

show this ⇓
The Desk

The Desk
Watch video

At present, there are thousands of webcams or networked security cameras that broadcast publicly over the Internet. A simple Google search reveals countless results for these types of cameras, including many that may not intended for public scrutiny but are catalogued nonetheless by search bots. The ceaseless flow of images from these autonomous cameras is typically ephemeral and unremarked, but provides fertile material for artistic investigation.

In my project I harvest these ambient video streams, using a telematic practice of ’sampling’ the photographs from the virtual cameras, and transform them into video-music compositions and rhythmic micro-narratives. I meld the found images, which are often disassociated from any recognizable locality, into time-lapse videos, then use the minutiae of these tiny vignettes as a visual ’score’ for which I compose a tightly-synchronized musical accompaniment. These videos provide a means of visualizing temporary and fleeting moments that are ordinarily invisible in our experience of everyday life. The resulting rhythms of change, textures of image, patterns of human movement, and qualities of light are mirrored by musical motifs that form an expressive, subtle portrait of the original spaces, of which the location remains unknown.

hide this ⇑

Spotlight On the Candidates

Performance 2009

show this ⇓
Spotlight On the Candidates

Spotlight Poster

Band temporarily recast as The Hanging Chads. We’re backing up Mayor Menino and other aspiring political wannabees.
hide this ⇑

Traffic Jam ‘09

Concert Series 2009

show this ⇓
Traffic Jam ‘09

The funky 11-piece juggernaut is back this summer!

hide this ⇑

Manic Barbering

Time Lapse Video With Musical Soundtrack 2009

Traffic Jam

Funky Street Band 2008

show this ⇓
Traffic Jam

This summer I helped organize a new afrobeat/funk/world band for a series of outdoor performances out on the street in a busy intersection in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston. It’s been great fun seeing the diverse audience that shows up or discovers us playing – from little kids who dance around wildly, to teenagers who start out skeptical but end up getting into us, to the Nigerian guy who got unbelievably excited to hear us play a Fela tune, to the drunken Caribbean guy who shouted along happily when we struck up a reggae tune but loudly showed his disapproval whenever we played something in any other style!

It’s been wonderful to be in a funky band again and get the people up and dancing. Everyone in the group is having lots of fun so we’ll be continuing with the project in the fall.


hide this ⇑

32 Miniature Themes

Solo Musical Compositions 2008

show this ⇓

A collection of musical compositions created over the last year or so under my solo moniker Avocado Kid.

Each song can be thought of as a soundtrack to a distinct imaginary world. As most of them are quite brief, I conceive of them as miniature themes, conjuring the essential impression of a scene and story.

The instruments I play on these tracks include electric and upright bass, drum kit, guitars, electric piano and organ, violin, bamboo saxophone, trombone, synthesizers, drum machines, african and latin percussion, melodica, voice.

skulktafunk

myseps

pineapple kugel

the flock

top of the hill

woody

south san juan swagger

southie soul

hotroots

chowboy’s lament

like a million bux

gray green

lunchmeat

taking up anew

frozenlake

impeachment dub

hide this ⇑

Groovement

Funk/Soul-Jazz Band 2002

show this ⇓
Groovement

Dedicated to the funky sounds of the late 60s and early 70s, Groovement gets your booty shakin’! Steeped in East Bay funk history, Groovement’s members are vinyl junkies, breakbeat scholars, vintage tone freaks, and rhythm connoisseurs.

Shane Baird/Will Dowling – saxophones
John Foord – drums
Aaron Julin – rhodes, organ, clavinet, moog
Chris Howard – percussion
Kevin O’Dea – guitar, talkbox
Josh Rosenstock – fender bass

1. Brick Shithouse
2. ‘Lectric Pants
3. In 3s
4. Pungee
5. Knucklehead
6. Superstrut
7. JB Medley
8. High Heeled Sneakers
9. Flood In Franklin Park
10. Sanford & Son
11. Mr. Magic
12. Sack O’ Woe
13. Windjammer
14. Soul Power
15. Sanford & Son
16. Kool Is Back
17. Ain’t It Funky Now

hide this ⇑

D’Orqestra

Polymorphous World Music Ensemble 2002

show this ⇓
D’Orqestra

Jenn Guitart – accordion, vocals
Ben Harvey – guitar, cello, mandolin, vocals
Josh Rosenstock – violin, vocals
Ben Samuels – mandolin, vocals

Listen to the D’Orqestra album, recorded in Josh’s room in 2002:

1. The Breakfast Song
2. Ça Gaz
3. Ederlezi
4. The Medley
5. Satta Massagana
6. Odessa Bulgar
7. No Soy De Aqui
8. Lilliana
9. Chanson Faux
10. Black Cat, White Cat
11. The Hora
12. By the Rivers of Babylon

hide this ⇑