Archive.org survived the digital attacks and I'm back uploading music there!

 

https://archive.org/details/feral-luggage-10-26-10-sunnyvale

For a while, I was worried that this non-wealthy person's platform for finding and sharing information would be taken out for good, but Archive.org is back up, functioning well again. I start with a pre-Halloween show recorded by Feral Luggage, late October 2019. Before everything was blasted apart. Some more shows coming soon! Hopefully some news about some kind of gig activity in the current era, but I have to be honest and say that my musical life is mostly back to playing piano in private and just enjoying that process. 

Instagon #836 Snippet

12 1 18 EARSPRAY REHEARSAL

                                                         

I was never aware that this clip was up! Interesting rehearsal footage, raw recorded at Ann O'Rourke's groovy music studio at her home in Alameda CA!

Devil Comet Ensemble 10/13/2024 snippet

...

 To be

In this region

       and of this time

The prime concern

as regards 

Musical aspiration 

Let one

or two

Respond in an affirmative ponderence 

   let the salesman make his sale

Let ganglia expand

as the thing gets practiced

The prime concern is but a floating cloud

     within a floating realm

Quiet exit with perhaps a few salutations 

Diaspora Foci Collective/Devil Comet Ensemble/Instagon #836-Miami Art Works, Miami AZ 10/13/2024

 

Really the only photo I got for documentation. Nathan Smith, Jaroba, and myself in front of Miami Art Works, a bit after our playing experience: just under thirty minutes of improvisation as either Diaspora Foci Collective or Devil Comet Ensemble. The latter moniker was bandied about in a group text during the previous evening, on account of a visible comet that Nathan suggested we try to view in the twilight sky. The former is Mika Pontecorvo's name for the project. Mika had desired to travel from his home in San Francisco for the gig, but was not able to do so. Following our sometimes subdued, sometimes insane set, Lob Instagon joined us for about fifteen minutes of Instagon #836, during which we threw down some Funk and a cover of Set the Controls For the Heart Of the Sun by Pink Floyd. The day was a blast, for me more of a party than a show, and I see nothing wrong with that. Lob and his cohort in Miami are doing some really great stuff there. If you're anywhere near the town, go and spend some time and money with them! An excellent day of music and community in Arizona.

Playing this Sunday in Miami AZ!

 

Happy to be involved in some live music production this weekend! I will join woodwinds player Jaroba and guitarist Nathan Smith (subbing for Mika Pontecorvo) at Arizona Audio Waffle. The gig happens at noon on Sunday, 10/13 in Miami. Looking forward to some improvisational moments after listening to four creative acts! 

Sunday 10/13/2024

12:00 PM sharp start time

Arizona Audio Waffle

Miami Art Works

509 Sullivan St.

Miami AZ 85539

$10

All ages show, waffles served BYOB

Featuring Loud Obnoxious Bass, Aphrodites Polyp, Dummy Rifle, Ceremonial Abyss, Diaspora Focii Collective. 

 

Improvisor Lotteria fragment, Golden Saguaro Tucson 9/25/24

Group Improvisation Snippet

Quoting Sun Ra at Golden Saguaro Tucson 9/25/2024

More Improvisor Lotteria at Golden Saguaro Tucson 9/25/24

Archive shot and musings.

 

Last night there appeared in a dream of mine Max Sidman, last bass player of Ovipositor. He played in that band from mid-2008 until 2010 as I recall. We also did a studio-only band, Silencer Assembly, from 2010 until 2012 or so. Max wanted to call the band Tuned Mass Damper. I wanted SA. Max accepted my proposed name. Probably should have argued his side a bit more ardently, but who cares at this point anyway. Justin Martin was in a dream about a week ago. It was odd because the feeling in the dream was that we kind of knew each other but kind of didn't. People talk sometimes about alternate timelines, and that particular dream had me pondering the notion pretty big-ly. I am listening to Wooden Shhips right now. A San Francisco band that definitely made me wonder "what's their secret?" as I watched their ascent to the heights of cool in my general stomping grounds and beyond. Hello! It's because they sound great!

OK, so this photo was a selfie, snapped in the garage of my residence in Richmond CA. I had the place from 2017 until 2021. What a great spot. That carpet was given to me by Brian Strang. Had to give it away during the move out of Cali. That Zildjian cymbal, I bought in 1990 or so. Still have it. It sucks, hahahaha. The t-shirt says Hawi, which is a lovely town in rural Hawaii. The shirt was much loved by me. This photo was one of an occasional sent to Moe Staiano to let him know that I was practicing his music for gigs or the occasional recording session. If memory serves correctly this particular day's practice time was put in for an upcoming show in Oakland.  Moe's music warranted concerted rehearsal in my estimation. That's not a happy look, but practicing Moe's music gave a lot of satisfaction as compared with happiness. I always wanted to do a good job for the man. Moe continues his musical quest, and that's awesome. I still think he should move to Berlin and just compose full time. 

Probably a good place to stop here. Keep your brain alive, wherever you are and whatever you're doing.

More music up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/lug_str_011515_Ryan_Pino_Marshall

One last gig with Jim before he left the Oakland for his renewed romance with Millie in Washington, D.C. Aside from speaking with him on the phone and the occasional email, this was the last time that I had contact with him. I saw Eric in 2019 at the Bottom the Hill and we chatted for a few minutes. The canvas hanging behind the group appears to be work by San Francisco legend Twist. It's all twisted in varied ways now.  I just want music that I was involved with to be accessed at some point. Please understand that I think that it's a not unreasonable aspiration.

Some shots from Ensemble By Lottery Night at Golden Saguaro, Tucson.

 

Eleven improvisors showed up for the Ensemble By Lottery Night at Golden Saguaro on the evening of 9/25/2024. Random trios and then quartets were assembled via spun wheel lottery. The wheel was contact mic'd for additional sound. One wag described it as having the same sound as his kitchen sink disposal unit. As Mark Ferguson declaimed, "...trust the Wheel!" Loteria cards were also utilized as number assignments for spots upon the wheel. And so it was. Great fun participating with sound and also as an active listener. Great fun talking about music with other music people. I see no harm in that. Community still appears to be possible and I am grateful/thankful for that. Ess macht doch spass. 

Below: The Wheel, manufactured by Steev Hise.

 

Above: weirdo music guy, a guy that installs home protection systems, and David Jones of London. Oh yeah the Dude is in there, too. It's all very Meta in some sense. Also a fine Loteria card courtesy of a young Hise.

Tucson improvising community event this Wednesday! Plus bonus shot!

 

This Wednesday, 9/25, I will be involved with a very special "Ensemble By Lottery" event at the fabulous Golden Saguaro. Small groups will be selected via a spun wheel lottery system before playing short sets of improvised music and sound art statements! I've seen the wheel that Steev Hise has designed, and it's really cool. I am certain that the ensembles will be equally so! 

9/25/2024

7PM

Golden Saguaro

609 E. 6th St.

Tucson 85705

Below: shot of Moe Staiano and me in Tucson, 9/15/24. Moe was here to learn vinyl pressing techniques. If there's one guy who should be involved in the vinyl side of the music industry, it's Moe. 

 

Romus/Sordahl/Pino live trio improvisations up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/rent-romus-trio

This set was performed at VAMP! Records in Oakland, Winter 2015. Billed as Rent Romus Trio, but at this point it seems best to change the name a bit. A fun time at a cool shop that supported local musicians. 

Some piano music up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/subtonal-seraphim-1

Trancing out at home with piano.

Archive shot and musings.

 

A place for everything and everything in its place. That was the vibe in my garage studio on Henderson St. in Richmond CA, 2017-2021. I mean, look at that! So ordered and organized. Some of that art I still have, some of it was given to a dude from El Sobrante when my wife and I sold that house and exited California. A lot of that gear was just given away during a couple of pre-move yard sales. Lately I have been thinking about the studio. It certainly was well utilized. Tons of hours practicing Surplus 1980 songs, instructional videos, warming up for gigs with various people. Take for example Josh Allen. Josh and those in his orbit are sticklers about practicing. Within their musical world, it's very obvious to them who in putting in time versus who is not. That bug got to me and I spent tons of time, as much as I possibly could what with work and domestic life, shedding. Sometimes this studio would get messy and more disorganized, but it would get cleaned up, even vacuumed on occasion. These days my drums are stored away and I grab items as needed. One current music with other people situation has me playing electronic drums, which are quite interesting to play. The attack of stick on pad is so very different from that of stick on drum or cymbal. The nice thing about the former is that they keep your stroke honest. One can't really slack on time with the electronic drums. It's proven to be a nice, interesting challenge. Challenge is the order of this time in my life. A lot of emotional challenges, but it's like "join the club" on that, of course. Realizations about what life in Tucson means for me. Realizations about how important it is to let go of the past and move with as much grace within each present moment. Realizations about how people are all different and how people grow apart. Even the "magic" of social media cannot change that fact. It's all ok. I bathe in Sonoran sunshine and do breath exercises. I wake before dawn, sip tea and try to read. A place for everything and everything in its place. The place is not the same, but the principle guides me within the physical realm. Stay kooky but remember to stay smart also. Much love to anyone that reads these words.

Live ebolabuddha track up at Archive.org!

 

 https://archive.org/details/eb-at-xbar

I believe a part of this set is on a cassette release from ebolabuddha. I have two copies, not sure where the rest ended up. Perhaps it was all just a dream.

New music up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/cloud-shepherd-5-31-14-berkeley-arts-mp-3

Cloud Shepherd live at Berkeley Arts Festival Building, May 2014. I think that this may have been either the last or penultimate show of this group. A fun time at fun place with a fun group. Ten years gone! Wow.

Solo drumming sounds up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/not-a-nice-person

Recorded circa 2018 at my home studio in Richmond CA circa 2018. The title refers to you, and also to me. 

Short environmental piece up at Archive.org

 

https://archive.org/details/urecorder-20240730-124304

Recorded at Point Pinole, Pinole CA 7/28/24.

More Infinite Plastic Internal music up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/mark-pino-percussion-pit-5-13-2019

A brief solo spot from within a larger KFJC Month Of Mayhem special in 2019. Kick ass drummer Tatsuya Nakatani was the main focus; several SF Bay Area drummers were kind of a supporting cast for his appearance. It was a fun afternoon and I like this little piece, which has been up on Bandcamp for a number of years now.

The Deconstruction Of What You Know live audio up at Archive.org

 

https://archive.org/details/the-deconstruction-of-what-you-know-at-the-dildo-factory-2-20-19

Video footage of this show had been up at Bill Russell's YouTube page for a number of years, but all of his content has been deleted. I hope that he is OK, and if he has passed away, Godspeed to a sweet, genuine gentleman. The times that I got to play music with Joshua Allen were high points for me; can't think of a better tenor saxophone player. Someday, the rest of the music world will know. It took me a few years to recover from the demands of his vision, but the drain was worth it. 

More music up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/granite-dunes

A brief project made up of Anthony Pulsipher, Brian Lucas and myself. We jammed some and put tracks such as this up at Soundcloud, but never played a show. The space where thes clips was recorded was in the Fruitvale District of Oakland. 

More Infinite Plastic Internal music up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/img-0147_202407

 

Jim Ryan/Mark Pino Duo music up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/03-track-03_202406

Jim was very generous with his time during a few months of 2014. He'd take BART over to my place in El Cerrito, from Oakland, and we'd jam and talk. He told me a funny story about how a renowned Jazz musician once stole his flute in Paris. Jim had lots of great stories to tell. He saw a lot of things go down. Glad I got to talk with him some before his passing last year. Thanks for hanging out with me, Jim Ryan. 

Infinite Plastic Internal music up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/03-tempat-barang-barang-rongsokan

Music For Waiting Rooms was a CD-R release. I made custom stamps for the cover information. I sent some out to radio stations. After that, not much else happened with it. The other day, my wife and I were going through storage containers and I found the stamps. It all seemed like a good idea at the time. 

The art up above is recent collage work. Working with vinyl lettering is very challenging!

Short track from 2023 up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/summersolstic

2023 was kind of a down year for me musically. I continued with piano studies (and I am still deep into that discipline), and had a few playing situations going with other people. One of them involved Ra Khepri. We recorded some music and he used the sounds for YouTube videos. These videos have been deleted. I felt kind of slighted by this, as if my efforts were just kind of discarded; at least that's my opinion in the matter. In light of that, this short clip from last Summer Solstice and its session has gone up at Archive.org. These past four years have been frustrating for me, musically, but I know that I'm not the only one who is going through these changes. And I will continue despite the barriers.

Failure Cock live at Backyard Coffee Redwood City CA up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/failure-cock-8-27-16-redwood-city

I don't recall too much about this gig except that we banged on metal folding chairs and that one punter told me "...you guys got in touch with the Spirits or some shit..." Right on dude.

Pure Finder live at Doc's Lab up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/pure-finder-1-20-16-copy

Weirding out to maybe four people at what was once the Purple Onion in North Beach, January 2016. I still can't believe that Andrew has passed away, and it will make me sad for a long time still. One of the good guys.

Lithium Milkshake track up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/lithium-milkshake-shoved

The best recorded Lithium Milkshake tune in my opinion. When I think back on the recording of these tunes, I cringe. They could have been better documented. My behavior was really unprofessional at best. Glad we got some kind of document, but, still.........I can attest to being a pretty annoying person at that time. Have worked on that, promise.

For the past few years I have been in contact with bass player Hans, who did the drawing of that milkshake at this Archive page. He lives in Northern California and has a family. His band plays out when they can. Justin's life arc was tragic, as I've recounted in the past. I still miss the guy.

More Cosmists music up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/first-flight_202405

Cosmists started up in 2011. Andrew Joron was really enthusiastic about playing his theremin as much as possible, as I was about playing percussion. We used this enthusiasm as the fuel that ignited regular jams and the occasional show. The shows are recounted at length within earlier posts at this blog, up to and including a rather uneventful ending phase. Theremin and percussion as a pairing seemed so natural to me, but it must have been rather odd for anyone that happened to see us or hear us. Kind of a long shot I guess. Still, it was always a good weird time whenever we made time for its pursuit. Difficult music for difficult people I guess.

Long Failure Cock track up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/01-track-01_20240521

Scarp Home and myself, banging away inside of Scarp's basement music studio in West Oakland circa 2011. A low pressure project that would convene on occasion, make some noise, and then stop for a while. Groups like this, while having no professional or commercial potential, are fun. It was always satisfying to know that Failure Cock could be resurrected for some kind of Noise show in the SF Bay Area or Sacramento. 

It's just nice to know that some things are there, even if not immediately within grasp. 

Archive pic and musings

 

Crow Crash Radio in the eastern part of Piedmont District, Oakland CA around 2011. 

For some reason we needed a group photo. My wife took this and bunch of others just outside of our rented apartment on Edgewood Ave. I think it's not bad as far as band photos go. Maybe because I'm in the middle, haha. That neighborhood was sweet: very much within walking distance we had a decent market, a veterinary clinic, some good to great restaurants and all of this topped off with what could be a fabulous view of the San Francisco Bay. Good stuff all around. I will also add that taking walks in that district was always a pleasure. 

I was pondering blogging about some recent "negativity", but looking at the sunlight in this photo makes me forget all the ego bullshit, especially as regards really minor and stupid occurrences. God bless you and may your road rise up to meet you. 

Off to other things.

Infinite Plastic Internal music up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/ipi-curve

An interpretation of the Composition Curved Lines for Solo Instrument by Thaniel Ion Lee. Recorded in March of 2020. Many thanks to Thaniel.

More shots of Diaspora Focii Trio from Wonder Valley Experimental Music Festival!

 

Photos taken at the Palms Restaurant 4/6/24 by musician and hella cool dude Pablo Perez. I asked him if he'd stick around and snap them with my Canon, and he was very kind to oblige me. Many thanks, Pablo!

Diaspora Focii Trio live audio up at Archive.org!

 

https://archive.org/details/track-14-20240408-162326

This audio is already available with video at YouTube and I've not heard any complaints about it from Amanda or Eli, so I figured it's alright to add it to Archive.org also. Many thanks to Amanda and Eli for playing and to Suraj Patra for recording.

Zenzizenzo-Golden Saguaro, Tucson AZ 4/27/2024

Zenzizeno-Golden Saguaro, Tucson 4/27/2024

 

Suffice it to say that the Golden Saguaro is a very groovy place and I am so grateful to have had another chance to play some music there! Nathan Smith and I, under the moniker Zenzizeno, had a nice time doing a set of improvised music, opening for the wonderful Tatsuya Nakatani and Miguel Urbino last night. Things felt cool, and it was a blast to conjure up some zones with Nathan and his simple rig of acoustic guitar (through amp) with only one pedal. Inspired, I hope. Video here shortly.

Below: Nathan and I in various states of improvisational expression

Playing this Saturday in Tucson!

 

I will be playing in duet with guitarist/composer/visual artist Nathan Smith! The show happens here:

Golden Saguaro

Saturday April 27th

7:30 PM

609 East 6th St.

Tucson AZ 85705

Sliding scale up to $10, NOTAFLOF 

Our act, Zenzizenzo will be appearing with Tatsuya Nakatani and Miguel Urbina. A stacked show, come for the entire damn thing.

A couple of short Musique Concrete pieces from last weekend.

 

Getting weird with sounds out in the Mojave Desert during the weekend of Wonder Valley Experimental Music Festival! Short vignettes with found object and everyday material. 

https://archive.org/details/mojavemetal

https://archive.org/details/track-11-20240406-113843

 

Diaspora Focii Collective/Feral Luggage/Amanda Chaudhary - Wonder Valley...

Diaspora Focii; The Palms Restaurant, Twentynine Palms CA 4/6/2024

 

When Mika Pontecorvo contacted me in January of this year, requesting that I head over to Twentynine Palms to jam with Diaspora Focii at the Wonder Valley Experimental Music Festival, I emphatically replied in the affirmative. Booked my motel room that day in fact. Despite the knowledge that sets at these types of events are generally truncated, I figured that it would be worth making this kind of "Fool's Errand", in order to reconnect with my musical compadres and to possibly make new connections. Let's face it: I am that kind of fool. Having reached out to the festival organizers (lead by Deborah), part of my mission was to help out with set up/logistics/tear down for the day's events. It seemed that if I had a task to do, my time spent there would be of more use. Hopefully my presence as a kind of dorky stage hand was of some help to participants. It's still gratifying to feel as though one is part of some kind of community. 

As for Diaspora Focii's set, it was performed by a slimmed down version of the original group conceived by Mika. Only Eli Pontecorvo and myself from the band were able to get over to the Palms Restaurant. Amanda Chaudhary graciously agreed to fill in as the third tip of our now trio configuration. Mika emailed us a video link, with sound samples and brief instructions as to what type of approach we should take for the performance. Amanda sampled some of those sounds and sent them out from her keyboard. Eli and I keyed our rhythm section uni-brain interactions from those sounds. It's wonderful to realize that, even after a four year break, we are still very much in sync as players and as humans. Love that dude so much. As stated, we didn't get to play for that long, but every moment of our end of night set (played to the desert and about ten heads) was a blessing to me. Such a lovely time seeing some old pals and becoming acquainted with a lot of Noise and Experimental players from the Los Angeles area. Y'all a bunch of freaks, and I loves ya! 

Below: Diaspora Focii in flight, photos by and courtesy of Suraj Patra, thanks Suraj!

Above: Eli Pontecorvo, Mark Pino, Amanda Chaudhary. A lovely reunion!

Playing with Diaspora Focii this Saturday in Twentynine Palms!

 

This Saturday I will be playing within some form of Mika Pontecorvo's Diaspora Focii at The Palms Restaurant in Twentynine Palms CA! The set will be part of the Wonder Valley Experimental XVI music festival. 

Saturday, April 6th 2024, 5 PM to 12 AM, Free Admission

The Palms Restaurant 

83131 Amboy Rd, Twentynine Palms CA 92277

I will also be some kind of staff member for this event as well as a photographer. Involved in a d.i.y. way, the best way. Hopefully some heads will turn out for his event. I'm looking forward to seeing some dear friends.