NEW BLOG and RADIO SHOW

 
What's up all? Long time no see.......

Well, guess what? The Soundscape has been re-born as The Upstate Soundscape. Head over to the new blog to check out the new show.  This one will now be discontinued.

[the end. . . for now]

Soundscape/94.9 listeners,

I am sure many of you in the Buffalo area have by now heard about WTF 94.9's demise and the tragic circumstances that led to it. For The Soundscape listeners around the country and abroad who don't know, a tragedy has occurred that has made it impossible for the station to continue.

As far as The Soundscape itself, while the show has a significant listenership online and I could conceivably carry on with the show as an independent podcast, something about that doesn't feel right.  

I regret having to disband pretty much the only forum for local experimental culture, but, after a lot of thought, I have decided to concentrate my energies on building a new station or some kind of media outlet. I feel that this is what circumstances demand at the present time. 

I have no idea how long this will take or what form it will eventually take on, but I assure you no one in the 94.9 crew has any intention of letting it end like this. It would be one thing if this was an FCC issue, but its not, despite what some (including myself) originally assumed. 

Therefore, I am promising you that underground radio will return to Buffalo in the near future. 

The station had been steadily growing in listenership and support over the course of its 2-year existence and it is the opinion of most if not all of those involved in the station that we can not turn our backs and walk away from this (despite a fair amount of temptation to do so after what happened). Plans are already being discussed and we have every intention of building something bigger and better and more beneficial to the community.

Furthermore, we welcome any suggestions, help, or support that the community has to offer. A new space is definitely required, while a new influx of man(and woman)power might go along way, too. So get in touch! Reach out to us to if you want to get involved so that we can get this station back up and running.

As far as The Soundscape goes, I have to say that its 7-month run on 94.9 was a lot of fun. I heard a ton of crazy shit during that time and it made all the work totally worth it. I started the show simply because I wished there was a Buffalo-based experimental music show and I was curious to see if there would be any type of response to that type of program. 

I have to say the response was absolutely mind-blowing. Those of you that sent me your music, I can honestly say I had never heard of any of you and I had no idea what a thriving, if somewhat disconnected, experimental music community we have in the Buffalo region. 

That is why I promise that the Soundscape will return in order to provide you guys a collective forum to present you're radically, twisted, sonic experimentation. And thank you to all the national and international artists and labels who sent me music. It was a real pleasure to see so many people stumble onto The Soudscape. My proudest achievement with the Soundscape is that the show earned regular listeners on every fucking continent, which I still can barley believe. Think about that.  If you were a Buffalo-based artists who sent me music, I guarantee you that your music was heard in every corner of the world. 

I promise The Soundscape will be back so that we can continue projecting our crazy Rust Belt audio insanity onto the rest of the unsuspecting world. 

So adieu....for now. And stay tuned, because we will keep you updated with our plans. After all, we are doing it for you and we will need your help to pull it off. So until then, be safe, don't listen to too much corporate FM, and don't you ever fucking forget about WTF 94.9. 

Peace,

Needles Numark   

 

[archive] 2.7.11.

The Soundscape, 2.7.11. by Needles Numark 

1) Skjolbrot, “Ballad of Windfarming,” Maersk

2) Kyle Bobby Dunn, “Promenade,” A Young Person’s Guide To (Low Point)

3) Ducktails, “Screen Scene,” Ducktails & Dracula Lewis Split Vinyl  (No Fun Productions)

4) CRANC, Copper Fields

5) Bob Ohrum, “Beauty in the Aftermath,” All Around Me (Relaxed Machinery)

6) Creation VI, “White Hot Sky”

7) T++, “Voices No Bodies,” Wireless (Honest Jon’s Records)

8) Sculpture, “Cultural Construction,” Rotary Signal Emitter (Dekorder)

9) Forest Feeling, “Lively Thought,” Forest Feeling

10) Freeman/Lake, “Live at the Dress Barn (1.11.2010)”

11) Chris Russell, “Numb,” Frozen (Relaxed Machinery)

12) Smegma, “Mirage,” Mirage (Important Records)

13) Phosphorescent, “Pride,” Pride (Dead Oceans)

14 )Mark McGuire, “Brothers (for Matt),” Living with Yourself (Editions Mego)

15) Helios, “Luek,” Unomia (Merck)

[preview]: 2.7.11.

Tonight on The Soundscape we'll take a listen to UK artist Skjølbrot and a track from his enigmatic, super limited CD-R release, Maersk.  We'll also hear good stuff from Ducktails and Dracula Lewis off of their split 12", Honest Jon's artist T++, and Soundscape favorite Forest Feeling.

We will also listen to a special performance by European trio CRANC off of their Copper Fields release. I am going to play a 57-minute performance by them in its entirety because it is that damn good. Don't miss this, I doubt you will ever hear it any where else.

CRANC

 

New stuff from local ambient/drone artist Bob Ohrum along with plenty of other good stuff as well. Tune in 'round 8pm on WTF 94.9 Buffalo Free Radio.  See you then...

Needles

[archive]: 1.31.11.

The Soundscape 1.31.11 by Needles Numark

1) Mackunochi Bento, off the album Swime. This is "The River Who Drinks All I've Had."
2) Steve Bazcowski, "Side B," Tone Arm (Cea-sur-a)
3) Women, "Can't You See," Public Strain
4) The War on Drugs, "Reverse the Charges," Wagonwheel Blues (Secretly Canadian)
5) Astral Social Club, "Lost Caustic," Happy Horse
6) Robert Messner, "Between the Lines"
7) Stars of the Lid, "Dust Breeding (1.316)," Avec Laudenum (Kranky)
8)Pine Smoke Lodge, "Track 2," Songs for Sucking Spirit Darts (House of Alchemy)
9) Motor, "Gok [RMX]"
10) Johnny Greenwood, "Convergence," Body Song
11) Autecher, "Cap. IV," (Warp)
12) Le Berger, "After the Bombing"
13) The Beans, "Number Four," Bassplayer
14) Pat Cain & Jax Deluca, "At Sea, Two Birds," IEA Residency at Alfred University 10/2001
15) Boom Bip, "Closed Shoulders (Clouddead Remix)," From Left to Right (Lex Records)
16) B. Fleischmann & Margareth Kammerer, "Facing It," Contriva/B. Fleischmann & Margareth Kammerer Tour 7" 2004 (Lok)
17) Broken Social Scene, "Last Place," Feel Good Lost (Arts & Crafts)
18) Brian and Chris, "Ranchera del Espacio," Vectors
19) Amute, "Oh! Le Zeppelin," The Sea Horse Limbo

[archive]: 1.24.11.

The Soundscape 1.24.11 by Needles Numark

1) Panda Bear, "Atiba Song," Tomboy (Paw Tracks)

2) Wild Beasts, "Two Dancers (ii) (Oneohtrix Point Never White Knights Remix)," Two Dancers Remixes (Domino)

3) Hering Und Seine Sieben Sachen, "Affenhaar," Nautifal Twilight (Cae-sur-a)

4) Sam Prekop, "The Silouhettes," Old Punch Card (Thrill Jockey)

5) Teengirl Fantasy, "Vibes," 7AM (True Panther)

6) Actress, "Lost," Splazsh (Honest Jon's Records)

7) Matmos and Dan Deacon, "Untitled No. 2," Live at Daytrotter Studios, 1.19.2011

8) Boreful Tang, "Counting Careful," Herd and Unherd (Gigante)

9) Swamps Up Nostrils, "Pitsj Audial Entity 09225_09," Algoritualistic Sacrafice 1

10) Jason Khan, "Space Stream," Radio Territories

11) Kristen Roos and Jackson 2Bears, "Echo Location: The Parking Lot Transmission," Radio Territories

12) Anna Friz, "Radio CRTX," Radio Territories

13) Max Neuhaus, Public Supply IV, WFMT Chicago (1973)

14) John Cage, "Radio Music"

15) Manadal Channel, "B.R.A.T. (1.16.2011-2200-14201)"

16) Linga, "The Future of Radio Art," Radio Territories

17) Broadcast, Live at the El Ray (11.01.00), Dublab.com

[Preview]: Tonight on The Soundscape

Tune in tonight to a special edition of The Soundscape as we take an in-depth listen to Radio Art. We'll hear samples from some preeminent Radio Artists working in the field today, including Jason Khan and Anna Friz, along with some historical examples of the form from John Cage and Max Neuhaus. 

Max Neuhaus

We'll also hear songs from artists who make use of radio waves and sound effects in their music, like Borful Tang and local artist Mandala Channel. 

Borful Tang

Also, The Soundscape will belatedly pay tribute to Trish Keenan, lead singer of UK experimental group Broadcast, who died on January 14 at the age of 42. We'll close the show out with a live set recorded by the group when they were on tour back in 2000.  

Trish Keenan

Show starts 'round 8 pm on WTF 94.9 Buffalo Free Radio. 

[Archive]: 1.17.10.

The Soundscape, 1.17.11 by Needles Numark  

1. Sam Prekop, "November September," Old Punch Card (Thrill Jockey)

2. Tim Hecker, "Hatred of Music I," Ravedeath, 1972 (Kranky)

3. Hering Und Siene sieben sachen, "Schlanke Warzenseewalze," Nautical Twilight (Cae-sur-a)

4. James Blackshaw, "7," All is Falling (Young God)

5. Paul Rigoli, "Future Contemplations"

6. Jim Perkins, "Struggle," Grains

7. Marcus Fischer, "Wave Atlas," Monocoastal (12k)

8. Red Fog, "Endorphin Haze"

9. Expo '70, "Close Your Eyes and Effortlessly Drift Away," Where Does Your Mind Go? (Thrill Jockey)

10. Bardo Pond, "Wayne's Tune," Bardo Pond (ATP Recordings)

11. Mugstar, "Beyond the Sun," Lime (Important)

12. Light Pollution, "Ssslowdreamsss," Apparitions (Carpark Records)

13. Moon Duo, "In the Trees," Escape  (Woodist)

14. Women, "Heat Distraction," Public Strain (Jagjaguwar)

14. Dog Bite, "Swans," Gold Rings Last (The Young Turks)

15. Ducktails, "Surf's Up [live on WFMU]" Free Music Archive

16. Steve Bazckowski, "Side A," Tone Arm (Cae-sur-a)  

17. Kangding Ray, "Pruitt Igoe (Alva Noto Remodel)," Pruitt Igoe (Raster-Noton)

18. Sound Shaman, "Smokey Mirror"

19. Steinski, "Soul Searching"

20. DJ Spooky, "The Daytrotter Mix"

[preview]: Tonight on The Soundscape

Tune in tonight to The Soundscape for another 3-hour set in the best experimental, ambient, avant-garde, electronic, lofi, psychedelic and noise.

Tim Hecker (Image from brightestyoungthings.com)

New stuff tonight from Canadian sound artists Tim Hecker, Sea and the Cake member Sam Prekop's electronic solo project, Kansas City droner Expo '70, and Philly psych-rock band Bardo Pond.

We'll also preview two new releases from Rochester's excellent Cae-sur-a label including Hering und seine sieben Sachen and Buffalo's own Steve Baczkowski.  

Steve Baczkowski's truntable rig (photo by hemidemisemi)

Also, local tracks from Sound Shaman and composer Paul Rigoli.

Show starts round 8 pm on WTF 94.9 Buffalo Free Radio. Don't miss it.

Needles

[Archive]: 1.10.11.

The Soundscape, 1.10.11 by Needles Numark

1) Harmonius Bec, "Solitary Bonze Prayer," Her Strange Dreams (Monotreme)

2) The Knife, "Ebb Tide Explorer," Tomorrow, in a Year (Rabid Records)

3) Borful Tang, "The Long Goodbye," Herd and Unheard (Gigante Sound)

4) Sound Shaman, "1:11 (A Call from Deep Space)"

5) Krob, "Mdsiogjrio7"

6) Astral Social Club, "Cloud War," Happy Horse (Happy Prince)

7) Jane, "Slipping Away," Beserker (Paw Tracks)

8) Actress, "Always Human," Splazsh (Honest Jon's Records)

9) Mark Kloud, "Optics, Ver. 3"

10) Katastrophic, "What It Feels Like"

11) Makunochi Bento, "Cruise for a Corpse" Swime (Eerik Inpuj Sound)

12) Freeman/Lake, "Gold Dust Epiphany," Threading Needles in Mid-Air (Expanding Pegasus Records)

13) Small Scale Collisions "Alone Sagan Or"

14) Communications Vault, "1008pm­_June 19_2010"

15) Catherine Christer Hennix, "The Electric Harpsichord" (Die Schachtel)

16) Craig Vear, "After the Sinking," Summerhouses (Cluster / Mille Plateaux)

17) Lotus Plaza, "Antoine," Floodlight Collective (Kranky) 

18) Kalender, 1.5.0.02.26112010.203849

19) Chapels, "Beaten Off the Path," The Circle and the Point/Sleepwalkers Local/Chapels Split Double Cassette (House of Alchemy)

[Preview]: Tonight on the Soundscape

Tune in tonight to The Soundscape on WTF 94.9 Buffalo Free Radio at 8 pm (ish) for a great show. We'll hear recent stuff from Boreful Tang, The Knife, Astral Social Club, and Makunouchi Bento.

Makunouchi Bento - Photo from Cherrypicks

Also on tap for tonight we got loads of local songs to play from the likes of Sound Shaman, Chapels, Communications Vault, Mark Kloud, Katastrophic, and more. 

Mark Kloud

We'll also check in on the Soundscape Group and hear songs from Small Scale Collisions, Kalender, and Krob. Plus some other stuff that's been uploaded recently. 

Show starts at 8 p.m. and its gonna be a good show, so don't miss it.

Needles

[mp3]: Bekkar, "Mix for Imohtep"

Here it is, Bekkar's "Mix for Imhotep" as featured on this week's episode of the Soundscape. Thanks to Bekkar for making it available for free download. If you plan on partying it up on New Year's Eve this is perfect set to listen to that night or even the next day when you are recuperating. Enjoy.

 

1. Autechre - Kalpol Introl
2. Fairmont - Supercluster
3. Z2 - Black Finished Chrome
4. Helmut Wolfgruber, Herbert Gollini - Track 1
5. Andre Kraml - Koerbchen
6. Seph - Log 2
7. Jatoma - Paper Lights
8. Ni - Imugem Orihasam
9. Mastra - Reminded (Pawas mix)
10. DIgitaline - Avalache
11. Seph - Alquimia
12. Oni Ayhun - OAR003-B
13. Speedy J - Symmetry
14. Plaid - Spudink

[archive]: The Soundscape 2010 Year in Review Part 2 (12.27.10)

The Soundscape 2010 Year in Review Pt. 2 (12.27.10) by Needles Numark

 1) Alva Noto, "Garment (For a Garment)," For 2 (12k)

2) Kurt Vile, "Losing Momentum (for Jim Jarmusch)," Square Shells (Matador)

3) Circuit de Yeux, "Barrel Down," Ode to Fidelity (De Stijl)

4) Ducktails, "Mirror Image," Mirror Image 7" (shdwply)

5) Hype Williams, "Rescue Dawn," Find Out What Happens When People Stop Being Polite, and Start Gettin' Reel (De Stijl)

6) Rangers, "Airport Lights," Suburban Tours (Olde English Spelling Bee)

7) LA Vampires & Zola Jesus, "Searching," LA Vampires & Zola Jesus (Not Not Fun)

8) Lord Huron, "Into the Sun," Into the Sun

9) Painted Palms, "All of Us," Canopy

10) James Blake, "CMYK," CMYK EP (R&S)

11) Commix, "Japanese electronics (Instra:mental Moog Remix)," Re:Call to Mind (Metalheadz)

12) Minilogue, "Seconds (Thermalbear ReThink Remix)," Remixed Part 2 (Traum)

13) Chris Svoboda, "Gibson's Meow," Mid-Way Placenta

14) Baths, "lovely Bloodflow," Cerulean (Anticon)

15) Mortiz von Oswald Trio, "Untitled 1," Live in New York (Honest Jon's Records)

16) NDF, "Since We Last Met," (DFA)  

17) Actress, "Hubble," Splazsh (Honest Jon's Records)

18) To Rococo Rot vs Kaito, "Everlasting Forwardness (Traversable Wormhole Mix), Bekkar bootleg

19) High wolf, "The Sheperds 1," Shangri L.A. (Moamoo/Art Union)

20) Astral Social Club, "Free Wheels," Happy Horse (Happy Prince)

21) Ikonika, "Video Delays"

22) Bekkar, Mix for Imhotep

[Preview]: 2010 Year in Review Part 2

Tune in tonight to hear the second part of The Soundscape's 2010 year in review. We'll check out some of the best stuff from the past  year including tracks from Alva Noto, Ducktails, Circuit des Yeux, Rangers, James Blake, Actress, Astral Social Club, and many more.

Ducktails (Photo from undomondo.com)

We'll also have a very special in-studio guest this week when our friend Bekkar stops by. Bekkar will play us some of his favorite stuff from the past year including Commix, NDF, and Ikonika.

Iknoika (Image from Passionweiss.com)

 This year's been a blast and we are looking forward to an even better 2011. But first, we'll be closing out out 2010 right when Bekkar premiers his brand new mix for us, Mix for Imhotep.

Tune in tonight for the first listen to Bekkar's mix of progressive, breaks, and electronica. Then check back with the blog on Wednesday because Bekkar will make available the entire mix for free download. 

Show starts at 8pm. 

Needles

[video]: How to Dance to Dubstep

This is the funniest fucking thing I have ever seen. Talk about hitting the nail on the head.

 

DBGB's should fly this bird in to appear on dubstep night. They could set it up with the DJ and it could show the dubstep massive what's up. Yeh! Holla!!! Da Dirty Bird is gonna lock it down at DBGB's!!

[mp3]: Pat Cain and Jax Deluca, "Water, Wind"

Here is a teaser for tonight's show at The Vault. Check out the link for full info. 

The mp3 comes from a collaboration between Pat Cain and Jax Deluca that was posted to The Soundscape Group. I also played their song "Broken Sails" last night on the show. 

According to Deluca's website, both songs are previews of an upcoming disc based around their collaboration at Alfred's Institute for the Electronic Arts. 

Cain and Deluca will perform tonight as Gut Flora, along with some other folks including Gabe Gutierrez & Steve Baczkowski. Show starts at 9:30 with a suggested $3 donation.
water, wind - Pat Cain & Jax Deluca (IEA Residency at Alfred University, 10/2010)

"These tracks were recorded at the Institute for Electronic Arts at Alfred University, Oct. 17-21, 2010.

Pat and myself had quite an interesting time trying to record these tracks, as we had to do it piece by piece instead of one long shot - the room we recorded in had a couple dismantled pianos - guts exposed - some organs - and a doepfer. You'll notice these as drones in the background of some of these tracks. The metallic loud grating noise is Pat's neat little vibrating device from a baby rocker placed on a metal grid, rigged with a contact mic."

[archive]: 2010 Year in Review Part 1 (12.20.10)

The Soundscape, 2010 in Review Part 1 (12.20.10) by The Soundscape

Borful Tang, "Xevious," Herd and Unherd (Gigante Sound)

Mark McGuire, "The Vast Strucutre of Recollection," Living with Yourself (Editions Mego)

Marcus Fischer, "Between Narrow and Small," Monocoastal (12k)

Solo Andata, "Carving," Ritual (Desire Path Recordings)

Craig Vear, "Intertidal Pool," Summerhouses (Cluster / Mille Plateaux)

Loscil, "Dub for Cascadia," Endless Falls

Forest Swords, "Visits," Dagger Paths (Olde English Spelling Bee)

Matmos and So Percussion, "Aluminum," Treasure State (Cantaloupe)

Forest Feeling, "Mark Up Not Code," Forest Feeling

Sunburned Hand of the Man, "Now Lift the Outer Finger," A (Ecstatic Peace)

Bob Ohrum, "Every Time I close my eyes" Elevated (Relaxed Machinery)

Zs, "Black Crown Ceremony II: Six Realms," New Slaves (The Social Registry)

Pete Swanson, "U.O.A.," Where I Was (Private Pressing)

Pat Cain and Jax Deluca, "Broken Sails," IEA Residency at Alfred University (Oct. 2010)

Vladee Divac, "TECHNICAL," Technical Foul

Twinsistermoon, "Then Fell the Ashes," Then Fell the Ashes (Blackest Rainbow)

Steve Reich, "I. Fast 8:39 (Performed by Eight Blackbird)," Double Sextet and 2x5 (Nonsuch)

Oneohtrix Point Never, "Returnal," Returnal (Editions Mego)

Stereolab, "Neon Beanbag," (Atlas Sound Remix)," Not Music (Drag City/Duphonic)

Caribou"Kaili," Swin (Merge)

Beta Cloud, "Marsh of Sleep" Lunar Monograph (Laughing Bride Media)

Memoryhouse, "Elena," Choir of Empty Rooms

Keith Fullerton Whitman, "Disingenuity," Disingenuity b/w Disingenuousness (Pan)

[Preview]: 2010 in Review (Part 1)

Tune in tonight to The Soundscape on WTF 94.9 Buffalo Free Radio for the first in a two-part review of 2010. We'll look back and sample some of the great experimental music that came out this year, including Solo Andata, Zs, Steve Reich, Caribou, Oneohtrix Point Never, Loscil, Marcus Fischer, and much more. 

Zs (Photo originally from Brooklyn Vegan)

It was a good year for the Buffalo experimental community as well and we'll also take a look back at some of the great experimental music that came out of Buffalo this year. We'll be spinning tracks from Beta Cloud, Bob Ohrum, and a live take by Jax Deluca and Pat Cain. 

Beta Cloud

Show starts at 8pm. Don't miss it. 

And stay tuned for Part 2 of the  Year in Review next week when we'll continue our look back on 2010. 

We'll also take a look ahead to 2011 with the help of Bekkar, who is planning on stopping by the studio to premiere his new mix or us. I heard a rough draft of it back in November and it was pretty tight, so don't miss it. Perfect soundtrack for New Year's Eve (or the morning after). 

Needles

Future of Music Coalition's Statement on the Passing of the Local Community Radio Act

Legislation paves the way for more Low Power FM stations in American towns and cities

 

December 18, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressional champions joined with grassroots advocates and public interest groups — ranging from civil rights, environmental, arts, and religious organizations — to secure a pivotal victory in the effort to expand the diversity of views and voices on American radio.

The Local Community Radio Act passed the House of Representatives and Senate, thanks to the bipartisan leadership of Representatives Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Lee Terry (R-NE) and Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and John McCain (R-AZ). The bill now awaits the President’s signature.

The addition of more Low Power FM (LPFM) stations will increase local civic engagement, diversify the airwaves, support local music and culture, assist during emergencies, expand religious expression and provide a platform for the voices of underrepresented communities to be heard.

The following statement is attributed to Michael Bracy, Policy Director for Future of Music Coalition (FMC), a national non-profit research, education and advocacy organization for musicians that has championed the expansion of community radio opportunities for a decade.

“The need to expand and protect non-commercial radio was a key driver in the creation of the Future of Music Coalition over ten years ago. We could not be more appreciative of the years and years of hard work by Senator Maria Cantwell, Senator John McCain, Representative Mike Doyle and Representative Lee Terry and their staffs to get to this point. Today’s passage is a historic milestone in the effort to provide local communities with greater opportunities for local, independent and niche music on the FM airwaves.

“Our sincere gratitude goes to these Congressional champions, as well as the musicians and media reform activists who have made this victory possible.”

PopMatters' Best Experimental Music of 2010

You can check out my year-end list for PopMatters on 2010's best experimental music. 

PopMatters' Best Experimental Music of 2010 

List includes a full introduction on the experimental scene in 2010, plus full reviews of the releases chosen.

Needles