Episode 034 - feat. Daniel and Amy Carwile, Helen Sherrah Davies, Erik Friedlander, Michael Drewes

Daniel and Amy Carwile - "Chief Sitting Bull"
Helen Sherrah-Davies - "Demon Eyes"
Erik Friedlander - "Airstream Envy"
Michael Drewes - "Finale" from String Quartet No.1

http://bowed.org/034/034.mp3

Hello everybody! Here's what's on board for this week:

Daniel and Amy Carwile are an old-time fiddle duo out of Lexington, Kentucky. Their latest disc Col Arco is rich with fine fiddle playing from start to finish. This tune is a traditional Texas old-time tune arranged for two fiddles. Hot little number.

Helen Sherrah-Davies is a violinist and is a professor of music at the elite Berklee Conservatory of Music. She also has a fascinating condition known as synaesthesia -- a condition which causes the person's sensory experiences to... overlap? blend? merge? The synaesthete often reports visual images in response to auditory stimulation. This is a programmatic composition which Helen describes thus: "The sax breathes his breath of fire at the start, and the swirling triplets are his red piercing eyes, he has a limp, but he also wants to dance... "

Erik Frielander, in many ways the most well-known creative cellist in the U.S., appears on this episode with a world-premiere from his forthcoming disc Block Ice & Propane. He collaborates with rock musicians and some of the most accomplished classical composers in the world today. His work includes classcal, jazz, rock, avant garde work. The guy's incredible.

Michael Drewes was a closet composer for many years with many of his works going unperformed for decades. He recently came across some composition software and brought many of his old compositions to life for the first time. This piece was composed in 1964 and was recorded at a 24 Jan 2006 performance of many of his works at the Jewish Museum of Florida in Miami.

Thanks for listening - take care!

Mark Allender, producer-host
web: www.bowed.org
email: string@bowed.org
phone: 330-781-4387
skype: mark.allender

Episode 033 - feat. The Amigos, Unwoman, Miss Von Trapp, Stefano Pastor

The Amigos - "Letcho Gurgo"
Unwoman - "The Little Mermaid"
Miss Von Trapp - "Scabcurdle Jack"
Stefano Pastor - "Cycles"

http://bowed.org/033/033.mp3

Hello everybody! Here's what's on board for this week:

The Amigos are a super-eclectic band from Wales. They cover everything from eastern Europe to South America -- and everything in between. Their fiddle player Billy Thompson is a wildman of his own accord. On this tune, he builds on that reputation. The man is crazy!

Unwoman is a San Francisco-based cellist of the neo-Victorian goth tradition. She performs in a variety of persona, and does the goth thing very well. this track is a cut from her new disc set for release later this year.

Miss von Trapp is a British cellist of the neo-Vampirian tradition. She is a cellist much like Johnny Ramone was a guitarist. Theatrical, sinister, brooding, vaguely threatening, her work is a real treat.

Stefano Pastor is an Italian jazz violinist whose newest work Cycles an interesting collaboration between poet and musician. What they DON'T do is put the poertry to music. In a fascinating way, the text and the music refer to one another, but must be taken in separately. A dense and challenging piece of work, but rewarding no matter how you cut it.

Thanks for listening everybody - Have a great week!

Mark Allender, producer-host
web: www.bowed.org

Episode 032 - feat. Manuel Schröder, Mimi Rabson, Charlie Griffin, Planet Ubiquity

Manuel Schröder - "Flaring Recognition"
Mimi Rabson - "Ska Circus"
Charlie Griffin - Set fire to have light
Planet Ubiquity - "Troubled Mind"

http://bowed.org/032/032.mp3

Hello! Here's what's on board for this week:

Manuel Schröder is a 17-year-old cellist out of west-central Germany. As a member of the group Acoustical Romance, he explores a textural, neo-Romantic. With his solo work, he is part of an ever-growing tradition of heavy-metal/alternative rock in the tradition of Apocalyptica and Rasputina. This guy has an incredible ear for feel and texture with an artistic sensibility that is only now beginning to take root. There are more great things in his future.

Mimi Rabson is a Boston-based violinist, aggressively eclectic and a master of every style she touches. This cut is from an independently-released disc called Six Solos for Violin.

Charles Griffin is an expatriate American composer living in Latvia. From Charlie's website: "Using Arabic rhythmic and scalar modes, this piece, inspired by the poetry of Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, is filled with rhythmic energy and tension. " This piece is performed by the string members of his own Latvia-based Griffin Ensenble.

Planet Ubiquity is a new group with roots in hiphop, soul, and funk. The connection with this show lies with violist Shayshahn "Phearnone" MacPherson - a veteran of episode 012. Full of groove and rich with soul, this is an exciting group with a lot to offer musically, lyrically, and - in their concert performances - visually.

Thanks for listening - Have a great week!

Mark Allender, producer-host
web: www.bowed.org
email: string@bowed.org
phone: 330-781-4387
skype: mark.allender

Compilation Episode 1 - feat. Nick Ogawa, Morgantown Rounders, Luminescent Orchestrii, L. Subramaniam (feat. Jiebing Chen)

Nick Ogawa - "If it Feels Good"
Morgantown Rounders - "Policeman"
Luminescent Orchestrii - "The Stranger"
L. Subramaniam (feat. Jiebing Chen) - "Blue Lotus"

http://bowed.org/c1/c1.mp3

Hey,

This show is being released as I am waiting at the airport to fly back to Cleveland from Seattle where I have been for the past few days at my sister's wedding. So in order to keep my promise of one show a week while not drowning in this whole "trip" thing, I have decided to compile a show featuring some of my favorite pieces from the last two years.

Nick Ogawa was featured on episode 012 ("The Corbin Keep episode" ) with this tune that I still haven't been able to get out of my head to this day.

The Morgantown Rounders were featured on episode 017 ("The Chris Boros episode") . These guys are a favorite of mine and my daughter's - we listen to their disc in the car all the time. This tune wasn't the featured tune on that show, but I sneaked part of this song in as the exit music.

The Luminiscent Orchestrii appeared on episode 001 ("The Lex Coffman episode") . I had the pleasure of playing in a band that opened for these guys when they played in Cleveland back in 2004 -- long before this show was ever thought of. A great band to see live.

And finally, L. Subramaniam - the premier Indian violinist in the world - was featured on episode 009 ("The Acoustic Ross episode"). Entrancing, exquisite, exotic.

... and just for the record -- this past Sunday - 8 Jul - was my birthday. And I didn't receive a card or anything from ANY of you, you miserable wretches! We'll just see if I remember YOUR birthday or not!

More great music next week!

Mark Allender, producer-host
web: www.bowed.org
email: string@bowed.org
phone: 330-781-4387
skype: mark.allender

Episode 031 - feat. Chris Murphy, Invert, James Sudakow, Kari Tieger

Invert - Truth Serum
Kari Tieger - Sonatine pour violon et piano
Chris Murphy - "Night of the Hunter"
James Sudakow - "Black"

http://www.bowed.org/031/031.mp3

Hello everybody,

This show comes to you from the Doodlebug Memorial in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The Doodlebug was a single-car commuter train that collided with a 73-car freight train in the summer of 1940. The incident had begun to fade into local memory until three local middle school students started doing a research project on the incident - a project that swelled into a major fundraising campaign to build the memorial. It was dedicated on the 65th anniversary of the crash at a service that I am proud to say I attended. Details about the event and pictures of the memorial are available here on the website -- http://www.bowed.org/031/cotw.html.

Invert makes a second appearance on this show - the string quartet with two cellists. In between their last appearance and this one, the group has released a CD called The Strange Parade. This is the final cut from that disc, a tune called Truth Serum.

Kari Tieger, a pianist and composer out of Riverside, Rhode Island, is on for her second appearance as well. This is a recently composed duet with violinist Lauren Benowitz.

Chris Murphy is an electric violinist fron Los Angeles, currently supporting his recent release Luminous. I confess I hadn't heard of Chris before he sent me his CD, but his disc features two musicians I have had a great deal of respect for for some time: Mike Watt (formerly of fIREHOSE and The Minutemen) and Nels Cline (of Wilco and, incidentally, Mike Watt's touring band). This tune features Nels on guitar - and he and Chris sound amazing together.

James Sudakow is an up-an-coming artist out of Long Beach, California. His latest release, Green is an ambitious progressive rock exploration of soud and texture. A very engaging and enjoyable listen.

Next week finds me in Seattle. I'll do my best to have a show out by next Monday. But we'll see.
Thanks for listening!

Mark Allender, producer-host
web: www.bowed.org
email: string@bowed.org
phone: 330-781-4387
skype: mark.allender

Episode 030 - feat. Orange Mighty Trio, Thomas Storrs & Sarpolas, Julia Kent, John Pascuzzi

Orange Mighty Trio - "Billy in the Lowground"
Thomas, Stors, & Sarpolas - "Clay Hippopotamus"
Julia Kent - "Barajas"
John Pascuzzi - "Ignition"

Hello everybody,

This show comes to you from Tannery Park in Kent, Ohio - the site of a tannery built in the 1830s by abolitionist John Brown. This park is on the banks of the Cuyahoga River and adjoins the B&O Railroad (found on your Monopoly board)

Tannery Park fishing deck on the Cuyahoga River. B&O Railroad is up the hill.

Here's who's on this week:

My stuff in Tannery Park.

Orange Mighty Trio is a group out of Minneapolis, MN featuring a violinist, a pianist, and a bowed double bassist. Flashy, showy -- these guys create an almost Baroque sensibility to the exploration of jazz and old-time Americana. A new ep is available in both CD an mp3 format on their MySpace site.

Thomas, Storrs, & Sarpolas is a collaboration featuring the work of violinist Rob Thomas, whom I consider one of the finest jazz players in the world today. He has been able to perform some of the most "violin unfriendly" idioms of the many forms of jazz and make it sound easy. His skill as an improvisor is apparent in this free-jazz piece. Julia Kent is a New York cellist/recording artist whose latest disc is about airports. Called Delay, this disc is currently avilable only in Europe. It is expected to be released in North America lter this fall. Rich with multi-tracked celo and found sounds, this disc is a real treat for people who love the sound of a bow on a string.

John Pascuzzi takes instruments from all over the world (and beyond) and bends them to his will. This track features the igil, a two-stringed fiddle from Tuva. Or in John's case, the electric igil.

More great music coming next week!

Mark Allender, producer-host
web: www.bowed.org
email: string@bowed.org
phone: 330-781-4387
skype: mark.allender

Episode 029 - feat. James Kennedy (featuring Catherine Lawson), DBR, Joan Jeanrenaud, and the Supernova String Quartet

James Kennedy (featuring Catherine Lawson) - "A Roll of the Dice"
DBR - "The La La Song"
Joan Jeanrenaud - Altar Piece
Supernova String Quartet - "Mr. P.C."

http://bowed.org/029/029.mp3

Hi string fans,

One area that I feel is underrepresented in the field of string music is some good solid blues. Catherine Lawson, a violinist based in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, is here to hopefully fix that problem. She gets it. End of story. She is frequent collaborator with guitarist James Kennedy.

DBR (aka Daniel Bernard Roumain is one of the hottest new talents out there. As a composer and performer, he is able to create some strong and powerful work, classical in structure with a hip-hop sensibility. Nobody else is making music like this. This is a cut from his forthcoming disc entitled etudes4violin&electronix.

Joan Jeanrenaud is known to many as the cellist for the world-famous Kronos Quartet - a position shw held for over twenty years. Having left Kronos in 1999, she set about developing her own solo work. This cut is an original composition from her 2003 disc, Metamorphosis. Another full-length disc of original material will be coming out later this year (and I'll hopefully have a track on the show from that baby as well!).

Supernova String Quartet was a jazz string quartet out of Los Angeles. The group broke up in late 2005 after their principal violinist Ludvig Girdland was seriously injured after being hit by a drunk driver. The various members have been pursuing other projects and Ludvig has been making a slow recovery in his native Sweden. We wish them the best! This is a strings rendition of the Coltrane classic "Mr. P.C."

More great music coming next week!

Mark Allender, producer-host
web: www.bowed.org
email: string@bowed.org
phone: 330-781-4387
skype: mark.allender

Episode 028 - feat. Zapp String Quartet, D-Sharp, Ben Miller, Semyon Kobialka

Zapp String Quartet - De Donder Komt
D-Sharp - "Life in the Fast Lane"
Ben Miller - excerpt from "Somnolence"
Semyon Kobialka - "Lullaby"

http://bowed.org/027/028.mp3

Hi string fans,

The Zapp String Quartet is in many ways a string quartet that thinks it's a rock band - these guys only play originals. Based out of Amsterdam, this group is remarkable for the rhythmic complexity they generate with their instruments -- something I for one am particularly fond of in any string ensemble. Their latest disc Passagio is simply rich with this kind of thing.

D-Sharp is a repeat offender on this program - having debuted here on Episode 014. At 19 years old, this guy is developing a keen sense of artistry as both a performer and a composer. Or to rephrase, this tune will kick your ass! I'd love to see this guy play live...

Ben Miller is a guitarist, actually. And not a "guitar-viol" player, either. Ben is in the habit of (literally) putting his guitar on a pedestal, and finessing sounds out of it with whatever he has on hand. For this tune, he uses a violin bow. A challenging listen perhaps, but a rewarding one I feel.

Closing the show is cellist Semyon Kobialka. As I mention in the audio, the bulk of his latest disc is played pizzicato. I was able to nab a tune from the disc that has a substantial arco section, but hear me say this: the entire disc is @&%king amazing. Check it out!

I have been having some considerable trouble getting female performers for the show. I'm not sure why that is (I have this effect on all women, perhaps?). So -- here's me begging... Ladies! Are you a string player or a composer? Please help save this show from always being an All Male Revue! Contact me with submission information at string@bowed.org

Mark Allender, producer-host
web: www.bowed.org
email: string@bowed.org
phone: 330-781-4387
skype: mark.allender

Episode 027 - feat. Violet Quartet, Rasputina, Chance's End, Slow Six

The Violet Quartet - Waltz, Non-Waltz
Rasputina - "Cage in a Cave"
Chance's End - "Production To Perfection"
Slow Six - "The Pulse of This Skyline with Lightning Like Nerves"

http://bowed.org/027/027.mp3

###

Hello everyone,

I am pleased to bring this show to you -- a show that features a whopping four world broadcast premieres. If I keep putting babies like this out, I'll be a happy guy!

The Violet Quartet is a group from all over western Germany comprised of four electric violinists. As if that weren't enough, they are four electric-violinist gadget people. Their works are not simply composed for electric violin -- they are composed around the sounds of the styles and sounds favored by the various players - a trend that I would love to see expand in the future of string music. In addition, this group tends not to play on a stage per se, but with each player in the four corners of the room. Thus, the audience is in many ways on stage as opposed to the performers.

Rasputina is a group that has a wide following - a group without precedent. Two cellos and a drummer making finely crafted, vaguely goth, delicious pop nuggets. Their new disc O Perilous World - set for release later this month - has a louder, more aggressive sound that previous releases. Lyrics get more topical this time around (and in an ironic way, actually more dark and sinister than their previous work). And enjoyable, energetic listen from start to finish.

Chance's End is the work of classically trained Ryan Avery. Under the name Chance's End, Avery explores fine violin playing in an electronica environment. This track is a cut from his forthcoming disc, The Outsider.

Slow Six is a group out of Brooklyn. Somber, yet dense and intricate, these guys make a wholly unique stew of sounds. Instrumentation includes amplified strings, electric guitars, keyboards, homegrown software instruments, and video projections mixed live throughout the space. As I mention in the audio, fans of the group Low may find something special here.

Mark Allender, producer-host
web: www.bowed.org
email: string@bowed.org
phone: 330-781-4387
skype: mark.allender

Episode 026 - feat. Stratospheerius, Penn State Viola Ensemble, Richard Brooks, Acoustical Romance

Stratospheerius - "Heavy Shtettle Part II: Heavier Shtettle"
Penn State Viola Ensemble - View from the Rear Window
Richard Brooks - "Loops 1"
Acoustical Romance - "Road to Fortitude"

Hosted from aboard The Pennsylvanian

http://bowed.org/026/026.mp3

Greetings! And to those in the USA, a Happy Memorial Day!

Stratospheeerius is a group out of New York led by violinist and Joe Deninzon. The self-described bastard child of Frank Zappa, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Dave Matthews, and Blues Traveler; these guys have a brand new disc out called Headspace with which they are touring a substantial portion of the US.

The Penn State Viola Ensemble is, as one might guess, a string ensemble comprised solely of violists -- performing works written specifically for multiple violists. Their offering on this program is a recording of the world-premiere performance of Robert Gardner's View from the Rear Window

Richard Brooks is a fusion jazz violinist in the New York City area who dabbles in the styles of various traditions from around the world, as well as developing his own experimental work. This piece is a "loops" piece developed for solo violin concert performance.

And rounding things off is Acoustical Romance, a young acoustic ensemble from the Frankfurt area featuring the talents of cellist Manuel Schröder. These guys have just created a beautiful, delicate collection of recordings that sounds mature well beyond their years.

Enjoy the show!!

Mark
string@bowed.org