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Sketchpad Series is a monthly program on WGXC 90.7-FM presented by the Chicago-based project, Radius. This month features Margaret Noble's Frakture: George Orwell’s Novel “1984” Remixed

Experimental composer Margaret Noble remixes themes from George Orwell’s classic dystopian novel, 1984 with modern media clips, text readings, melodic noise and electronic beats. This project features soundscapes produced from political promos, newsreel media and urban city recordings. Striking voices and jolting sounds merge together with an original vinyl recording of the novel adapted from a 1950’s radio broadcast. Samples used include: health care protests, water boarding simulation, political propaganda, city emergency alarms, public surveillance cameras, CIA agents, the NYSE stock exchange and the moments after an air strike. The result is a narrative and experimental music work that pulls the listener along a bumpy ride of humor, satire and challenging media. Available digitally and as a limited edition vinyl pressing, all proceeds from the sale of this project will go to Amnesty International.

Instrumentation:

1. Safer is Better, 6:19
Analogue synthesizer, drums, health care protests, political propaganda, city emergency alarms, NYSE stock exchange, dice rolling, camera flashes, pesticide spraying and vinyl cuts.

2. Watched, 4:29
Analogue synthesizer, text reading from Orwell’s 1984, surveillance news report, surveillance gear commercial and field recordings from public surveillance cameras.

3. Consistent, 4:24
Analogue synthesizer, text reading from Orwell’s 1984, politicians, CIA agents, vinyl cuts and the sounds of a village moments after an air strike.

4. Drowning on Land, 3:36<
Analogue synthesizer, drums, text reading from Orwell’s 1984, politicians, news anchors, media critics, television static, vinyl cuts and simulated water boarding.

More information: http://orwellremix.com/

5. Crossing Over, 5:45
Analogue synthesizer, bowed psaltery, heart beat, text reading from Orwell’s 1984 and vinyl cuts.

6. The Object of Power is Power, 4:39
Analogue synthesizer, drums and vinyl cuts.

7. Interlude Before the End, 2:56
Analogue synthesizer and vinyl cuts.

8. Distopia, 4:58
Kalimba, rolling marbles and text reading from Orwell’s 1984.