Generative, Animated, Graphic Scores for Parking Ramp Project

Posted on September 12, 2018 by John CS Keston

This video is one of the six generative, animated, graphic scores that I have composed for Parking Ramp Project. The music was performed live and recorded while the screen was being captured. This piece is called Connected. Colored circles are generated on the screen with connecting lines. One of the three colors is randomly selected to change the color of circles with which it collides. Once all the circles are the same color they fade away and a new set is generated with a different color as the changer. This continues for seven minutes.

Musicians respond to this score by producing a sound event when circles of their assigned color collide with another circle or the boundaries of the screen. This process produces phrases with arbitrary yet continuous rhythmic patterns. The dimensions, velocity, x-axis, and y-axis of each circle serve as parameters that can be interpreted and applied to the frequency, timbre, dynamics and/or duration of the sound event. This interpretation is left up to the discretion of the musicians.

Purple = Peter Hennig (Drums)
Grey = Cody McKinney (Bass / Electronics)
Green / Cyan = John C.S. Keston (Rhodes / Synths)

Bloodline will be performing the music live for the piece, directed by Aniccha Arts choreographer Pramila Vasudevan, with nearly fifty dancers at a parking ramp near the Mall of America, September 29th and 30th, 2018. Learn more about Parking Ramp Project below: Continue reading →

Sound / Simulacra: Lucas Melchior Recordings

Posted on July 10, 2018 by John CS Keston

Please enjoy these recordings from our second set at Sound / Simulacra featuring Lucas Melchior, May 23, 2018.

VIDEO: Full Sets from Studio Z Nada Showcase

Posted on June 13, 2018 by John CS Keston

I performed this version of Vocalise Sintetica at on Friday, June 8, 2018 at Studio Z for the Nada showcase. The recording was captured by Mike Hodnick. In addition to the improvised elements, what makes this different from previous versions of the piece is that Studio Z is close to home, so I was able to bring my favorite instrument, the Moog Sub 37 for lead lines, melodies, drones, and arps. All the sound heard in this piece was generated by the AVGM (Audiovisual Grain Machine) controlled by an iPad, a Novation Circuit with custom samples and patches, a Minifooger Delay, and the Moog Sub 37.

This was an amazing evening of performances. The sets from Michael Flora, Mike Hodnick (Kindohm), and Spednar were all excellent. Mike also shared video of his own set of “tightly coupled audio and visuals” that he premiered at the event, which is definitely worth checking out:

Read on for the the official press release:

Continue reading →

VIDEO: John C.S. Keston at ISSTA

Posted on April 23, 2018 by John CS Keston

Last September 2017 I performed at the Irish Sound in Science Technology and the Arts Conference (ISSTA.ie) in Dundalk, Ireland (video by Daryl Feehely). The performance makes use of a custom Max patch controlled by an iPad, a Novation Circuit, a KeyStep, and a Minifooger Delay pedal. It occurred to me that it might be interesting to share the roots and evolution of this piece, so here goes. Continue reading →

Sound / Simulacra: Holly Hansen

Posted on April 18, 2018 by John CS Keston

During last month’s Sound / Simulacra on March 28, 2018, we featured artist Holly Hansen. Among many other things Holly hosts t.e.e. (Tuesday Early Evenings), an excellent weekly concert series at the 331 Club in Northeast Minneapolis. It was a pleasure performing with Holly Hansen and Cody McKinney during Sound / Simulacra. Here’s a bit more about Holly’s world, and afterward a couple of recordings from the show that you are likely to enjoy! Holly Hansen (Electronics), John C.S. Keston (Piano, Rhodes, Synthesizers), Cody McKinney (Bass, Voice, Electronics). Recorded by Dave Kunath.

After letting go of her rock band Zoo Animal in 2015, Holly Hansen has been floating around in the world between song and sound. This has lead her to create pieces using guitar pedals, samplers, sequencers and occasionally an instrument or 2. This 2017 recipient of the MECA (MN Emerging Composer Award) has self categorized her music as “weirdo electronic music for the beginning or discerning pallet.”