Through factory chains and the ghost of the union
Saturday, August 26 - Flux Factory (3 Quarks Daily bash).
SETLIST (click to listen/download)
1) Flux in a Box
Solos: Rob Wilkerson, alto sax; Mike Holober, piano
2) Phobos
Solo: Mark Small, tenor sax
3) Chrysalis
Solo: Aaron Irwin, alto flute/soprano sax
4) Induction Effect
Solo: Matt Shulman, trumpet
5) Ritual
Solos: Mike Fahie, trombone; Sebastian Noelle, guitar
6) Desolation Sound
Solo: Sam Sadigursky, soprano sax
7) Transit
Solo: Jacob Varmus, trumpet
Sunday, August 27 - Union Hall
SETLIST (click to listen/download)
1) Transit
Solo: Jacob Varmus, trumpet
2) Phobos
Solo: Mark Small, tenor sax
3) Lizard Brain
Solo: Josh Sinton, bari sax
4) Desolation Sound
Solo: Sam Sadigursky, soprano sax
5) Flux in a Box
Solos: Rob Wilkerson, alto sax; Mike Holober, piano
6) Chrysalis
Solo: Aaron Irwin, alto flute/soprano sax
7) Induction Effect
Solo: Matt Shulman, trumpet
8) Ritual
Solos: Mike Fahie, trombone; Sebastian Noelle, guitar
One of the biggest challenges of running a big band is trying to keep a stable group of players together -- especially when so many of those players have busy touring schedules of their own. But on the other hand, one of the biggest rewards of running a big band is the chance to have your music realized by a staggering variety of incredibly talented musicians who each bring their own personality to bear on the music. (Actually, Ike emailed me after the gigs to say: "It's so great to have an excuse for the community to congregate and make music together," which pretty much made my fuckin' year.)
These recordings from last weekend all sound very different from our previous hits -- it's the first time we've played without our regular, stalwart rhythm section of Matt Clohesy and Jon Wikan. And while, as a bandleader, you can't help but miss the security of players that have more or less internalized your charts, it's also thrilling to hear what great musicians like Ike Sturm and Richie Barshay will bring to the music -- especially since Richie and I go way back (he played on some of the earliest performances of "Flux in a Box," "Chrysalis," and "Lizard Brain" back in 2001-2002). It's also incredibly satisfying to be able to showcase musicians who have toiled away at Secret Society reading sessions and rehearsals but never performed with the band -- check out these amazing solo turns by Matt Shulman on "Induction Effect", Mark Small on "Phobos", Aaron Irwin on "Chrysalis", and Jacob Varmus on "Transit". And while you're at it, listen to the fresh ideas Society veterans bring to familiar material: Josh Sinton on "Lizard Brain", Sam Sadigursky on "Desolation Sound", and Rob Wilkerson and Mike Holober on "Flux in a Box".
On Saturday, at Flux Factory, we were playing mainly for the 3 Quarks community, most of whom had never heard us before and had no idea what to expect, which made the enthusiastic response all the more gratifying. (And I have to admit, I'd been looking forward to playing "Flux in a Box" at the home of FluxBox for a long time... ) On Sunday, at Union Hall, I finally got to bring the band to Brooklyn (my home for the past three years), and we got to play for friends old and new -- including Jean, Julie, Corey, Seth, Brenda, Sarah, Chris and Molly. And I'm happy to report that Union Hall is the real deal -- an amazing-sounding room with a staff that treats musicians like human beings (instead of the customary noisy chattel).
Heartfelt thanks to all who came out to hear us this weekend. We are, as ever, at your service.
And, as always, there is Incriminating Evidence available for your perusal...
Thanks Darcy. Downloaded and currently playing.
Would it be possible in the future, to include a zip or something of all the tracks, at least for a limited time? Downloading each one individually is a bit annoying.
Posted by:mwanji | 31 August 2006 at 03:35 PM
Hey Mwanji,
Since TypePad (at least for the moment) appears to be allowing me unlimited storage and bandwidth, your wish is my command.
Posted by:DJA | 31 August 2006 at 05:42 PM
Now that's what I call customer service.
Posted by:mwanji | 31 August 2006 at 05:59 PM
Except now it looks like TypePad might finally be noticing the excessive storage... I may have to take some of the older audio down, as well.
Posted by:DJA | 07 September 2006 at 11:44 AM