Event Pick: International Noise Conference at 25 Watt - Style Weekly

From: http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/event-pick-international-noise-conference-at-25-watt/Content?oid=2347005

By Chris Bopst

  

Flesh Control

Never in the history of civilization have there been so many ways to manipulate sound. Purists tend to dismiss music made with the numerous contemporary mediums, but I doubt 20th-century experimentalists John Cage, Harry Partch, Raymond Scott or Sun Ra would have felt that way. I’m confident that they would have embraced and thrilled with a world of ever-increasing creative possibilities. A wide range of 21st-century audio adventurers will take the stage at the 25 Watt for the International Noise Conference on Wednesday, July 6. Presented by Rat Bastard and the Laundryroom Squelcher, the night of combative cacophonies features 15-minute performances by analog and digital provocateurs Stabbed in the Face, Crack Bytch, Yoga Demon, Flesh Control and many others. Definitely not for the faint of heart, doors open for the system of assaults at 7 p.m. Admission is $5. 25wattrva.com.

Event Pick: RVA Noise Fest V at Strange Matter and Gallery5 - Style Weekly

From: http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/event-pick-rva-noise-fest-v-at-strange-matter-and-gallery5/Content?oid=2319679

 

France Gall Entity

“Please God, make it stop” noise to some is “Yes Lord, turn it up louder” sound to others. Take the RVA Noise Fest, for example. The fifth annual showcase of Virginia underground experimental artists happens Saturday, April 23, at Strange Matter, and Sunday, April 24, at Gallery5 — and it will have people screaming to get in or get out. That dichotomy suits event organizer and divisive entertainment champion Gary Stevens just fine. Each year the prolific Richmond noisemaker assembles a diverse cast of like-minded sound manipulators who don’t concern themselves with the mundane triviality of making people happy. From the fractured tonal disintegrations of France Gall Entity to deep left-field jazz of the New Loft, it’s instantly clear that this two-day festival is definitely not for everyone. The process of weeding out begins Saturday for a full 12 hours of entertainment or torture at 2 p.m. and Sunday from 5-11 p.m. Admission for each night is $5. strangematterrva.com or gallery5arts.org. (Photo by Joey Fichete)

By Chris Bopst

Pharmakon, Mutwawa and Coteries at Sediment Arts - Style Weekly

From: http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/pharmakon-mutwawa-and-coteries-at-sediment-arts/Content?oid=2168886

Friday, Jan. 30

By Chris Bopst

 

Pharmakon

The audio assemblages of New York-based sound manipulator Margaret Chardiet are made and conveyed with combative intent. As Pharmakon, she doesn’t go on pleasure cruises. Rather, Chardiet makes soundtracks for readings of Dante’s “Inferno.” There’s a stealthy sexual quality to her Dadaesque workouts on her latest release, “Bestial Burden.” From the bare-boned abrasion of “Body Betrays Itself” to the caustic pounding of “Autoimmune,” Chardiet uses her throat as a sensual weapon. It’s a sound tailor-made to weed people out. But if you like Thomas Pynchon, Hannah Höch and early Einstürzende Neubauten, it will be sweet music to your ears. She brings her tonal revulsions to Sediment Arts on Friday, Jan. 30. Richmond analog terrorists Mutwawa and noise-pushers Coteries set the divisive mood beforehand. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is $10-$15. sedimentarts.org.

Container, Timeghost, Mutwawa and Flesh Control at Sediment Arts - Style Weekly

From: http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/container-timeghost-mutwawa-and-flesh-control-at-sediment-arts/Content?oid=2110823

Friday, Aug. 29. 7 p.m.

By Chris Bopst

 

Container

The problem I have with electronic music these days is that most of what I hear sucks. It’s like sexless disco, lazy and inert, with your proclivity for drug use in direct correlation to your appreciation of the form. One notable exception is Container, the one-man, Nintendo-techno freak-out of Ren Schofield. His is a brew of Krautrock yearning, oppressive bass-booming propulsions and melodic noise. “Adhesive,” the four-track EP that Schofield released this year on Liberation Technologies, is my favorite electronic release since Squarepusher’s 1997 EP “Big Loada,” and every time I put it on, I hear something new. Container brings the noise to Sediment Arts on Friday, Aug. 29. Timeghost from Providence, R.I., and Richmond’s own Mutwawa and Flesh Control open. Doors open at 208 E. Grace St. at 7 p.m. Admission is a suggested donation of $10-$15. sedimentarts.org.