John Keston Performance at Echofluxx14

Posted on March 31, 2014 by John C.S. Keston

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I’m am very excited to be performing at Echofluxx14 this May 7 in Prague. My performance is a couple of weeks after my presentation at Moogfest in Asheville. At Moogfest I’ll be presenting the software that I have been developing for my Echofluxx performance. It’s a Max/MSP application that does audiovisual granular synthesis. The application allows a performer to apply granular synthesis to sound and corresponding video using a touch interface. The audio and video are accurately synchronized creating uncanny effects. The software also has the capability to capture and repeat gestures so that the performer can accompany the projections with multiple layers and arrange compositions in a performance setting. My performance will include several movements that granulate everyday sounds and images and then contrast them with tones produced using analogue synthesizers. Video documentation is upcoming.

My Echofluxx performance was made possible by a grant from the American Composers Forum with funds provided by the Jerome Foundation.

AudioCookbook at Moogfest 2014!

Posted on March 12, 2014 by John C.S. Keston

I am pleased to announce that I will be presenting at Moogfest this year! I will stand humbly along side Yuri Suzuki, Felix Faire, Yoon Chung Han, and Scott Snibbe participating in “an afternoon exploring alternative interfaces for sound generation and manipulation, and the future of visual music” programmed by Eyeo Festival organizers including industry visionary Dave Schroeder. Checkout the Moogfest site for more details.

Coleoptera

Posted on February 25, 2014 by John C.S. Keston

In this no-overdubs-performed-live track a paraphonic chord pattern from the Korg Volca Keys is prominently featured. I used several other favorites in the piece including the Roland D-50, Roland Juno-106 arpeggiated by Ableton, Novation Bass Station II, and the DSI Tempest. There’s also signature delay feedback swells from the Memory Man.

March of the Robot Field Mice

Posted on February 18, 2014 by John C.S. Keston

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Here’s another “straight-to-tape-no-overdubs” track. This time I gave myself the liberty of pre-recording a few MIDI loops in the DAW with the mutes routed to a MIDI controller. I used eight of my favorite instruments including the Rhodes, Roland D-50, Roland Juno-106, Roland MKS-80, Korg Volca Keys, Novation Bass Station II, and SCI Pro-One.

Incidentally, the title of this track was inspired by a comment on Japan, California, UK that reads: “If, within 6 months, this isn’t the soundtrack to an inspirational, animated montage where cartoon field mice build an aeroplane from junk and fly above their home waving down to their friends, then there’s no justice.”

Japan, California, UK

Posted on February 14, 2014 by John C.S. Keston

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Here is another no-overdubbing, straight-to-tape, composition using four of my favorite synths. The Yamaha FS1R provided the brittle, sustained, chord pattern. The Tempest handled the synth bass. The Bass Station II produced the arpeggio. Finally, I used the mighty MKS-80 for the lead playing. BTW: I took the photo in Seattle.