ARCHIVE

"Tapeloping" by Absolute Value of Noise, and "Natchez to New York" by Olu Dara. Absolute Value of Noise is the alias of artist Peter Courtemanche. In Tapeloping, which commemorates the 30th anniversary of the first Absolute Value of Noise show on Vancouvers CITR-FM, Courtemanche used the generative audio mixing software that underpins many of his recent works to combine samples from 30 artists who have collaborated with him or otherwise provided inspiration in the past. In his description of the piece, Courtemanche asks us to imagine these audio contributions as tape loops that stretch out through the hallways of a radio studio, wrapping around mic stands and doorknobs on their way back to the mixing desk. Tapelopings semi-automated collage invites listeners into the center of Courtemanches decades-long practice where broadcast radio serves as a platform for exchange and experimentation among noise artists. Contributing artists include: Deanne Achong, Jim Andrews, Sean Arden, Steve Bates, Gvan Bel, Ian Birse, John Brennan, Hank Bull, Brian Charles (a ghost in the machine), Don Chow, Andrea Cserenyi (from the archives), DinahBird, Elisa Ferrari, David Floren, Anna Friz, Ken Gregory, Steve Heimbecker, GX Jupitter-Larsen, Eileen Kage, Laura Kavanaugh, Gene Kosowan, Sally Ann McIntyre, Brady Marks, Faith Moosang, Bill Mullan, Jem Noble + Milo Piccini Noble, Roberto Paci Dal, Anthony Roberts, Matt Rogalsky, Adam Sloan + Liam Sloan, Maia Urstad, Gregory Whitehead, Elisabeth Zimmermann. - Introduced by Wave Farm Radio Artist Fellow 2021/2022, Andy Stuhl. And also tune in "Natchez to New York" by Olu Dara. It's one of those quiet evenings on the front porch in Natchez, Mississippi. Just crickets, the distant sound of a few cars, and a bluesy song for harmonica and guitar"as sweet as the sugar shack it talks about. But there's trouble ahead as Neville, a down-home juke-joint man and Diana, who pursues a career at New York's Metropolitan Opera, collide. In Neville's words: "Good Lord woman, send Madam Butterfly back to bed. What's left to eat? I can't stand no opera on no empty stomach." They sing and fight and sing and fight until eventually, they go together"from Nachez to New York. An improvisational work in a fixed form! Commissioned by New American Radio.