Blog
Pen
A week ago I submitted the final changes for my thesis. The experience was funny because when I handed over the stuff, the lady behind the counter in the graduate studies department gave me a nice McGill pen. A little disoriented, I walked to the elevator and flipped the pen over to read: “Success” printed ridiculously gaudy lettering. I suppose this to keep the handing over of my thesis from being completely anti climactic. Thanks “Pen” for letting me know it’s all worth it somehow.
Wind Orchestra
Next Up:
McGill Wind Orchestra
SteamPunk Program Note
A friend of mine types away on what appears to be tapping away on an antique typewriter with an ornate view screen. This box made of wood, glass, ivory buttons and brass somehow has a dual core processer and connects to the Internet. My friend is a Steam Punk.
Steam Punk means different things to different people. It started as a subgenre of speculative fiction set in a modern world where steam power is still widely used. Recently the term has come to reflect a specific anti technology aesthetic that romanticizes the mechanical inventions of the 19th century. In our increasingly digital environment, technology integrates seamlessly into our daily activates. Cell phones, computers, iPods, are sleek, small and easy to use, which is precisely what “Steam Punk” rejects. Steam Punk is visible clockwork, steam, brass, valves, glass. Technology that is physical, heavy and unapologetic. At least that’s what it appears to be. My friends computer looks like an antique but it’s still packing 21st century processing power.
Steam Punk sounds like clockwork and relies on strange instruments to conjure the steam powered exterior. At the heart of this machine chimes pop punk chord progressions transformed with computer assisted composition techniques, rhythmic patterns are derived from clocks as well as drum machines. All of which put the punk, in Steam Punk.
Return
My thesis came back from wherever it went. I imagine it had fun while it was gone, but now it's back to business. Everything went well, I have a few revisions to do and then off it goes to the large federal library. There it will sit unread with the thousands of other projects done by crazy masters students like myself. Although, I think mine is going to be the only one on the shelf with a bright orange cover! (thank you Copy Nova for your never ending supply of crappy golden rod card stock)
Recently I saw some inspiring lectures at the Elektra Labs series at Montreal’s Usine C. Every so often I find incredible cultural centers hidden throughout the city. Montreal has no shortage of fantastic venues for any type of art. The Ex-Centris is another example of a fantastic artspace that I just happened to stumble upon randomly.
I should post pictures of these places. They really are quite incredible, even just to walk though. At the Ex-Centris you must buy your tickets from a floating head inside a submarine port hole. Very steam punk.
In Transit!
My masters thesis has been submitted and I'm currently in my PhD in Composition. Until I graduate I'm a Masters/PhD/lecturer/student. My transitional account tore a hole in the computer system that took a few days for the ICS staff to work out. I am excited to have that problem, but it means a lot of work on my part. I have some interesting projects coming down the line this year. First, a commission by the McGill percussion ensemble. Then a piece for digital instruments and live electronics. Also, I am teaching Digital Studio Composition at McGill School of Music this year. This is an excitingopportunity and I am glad to have it.
Things are going well. Concert dates will be posted.
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