An active member of Chicago formed trio Fessenden(Stephen Fiehn, Steven Hess, and myself), I have had the honor to perform/collaborate with Sylvain Chauveau, Tony Buck, Aram Shelton, Spin-17(Ed Chang & Motoko Shimizu), Miles Tilmann, Keith Berry, and Millimetrik(Pascal Asselin). Now a resident of New York City, I am focused on meeting like-minded musicians and recording my solo work. I am also composing an original score for "Eighteen to Life", an independent documentary film.
Release on Utech:
Vacant Integument
Send me a message if you would like to purchase a copy directly from me. $12 including shipping.
WIRE Magazine
October 2007
Issue 284
Joshua Convey, Vacant Integument
Utech CD
Reviewed by Edwin Poucey
Joshua Convey is a New York based musician whose first release features him playing guitar, electronics, and more interestingly, harmonica.
The four tracks of Vacant Integument are carefully assembled with guitar loops spinning a cocoon of delicately fingered notes over a heaving, booming electronic beast huffing and puffing behind him.
Midway through, his guitar suddenly springs apart like a broken clockwork toy, it's high pitched ringing now sounding like anguished screams as the electronics close in and the feedback takes over with a vengeance. When the electrical storm subsides, we are left with low clouds of resonating hum as the instruments converge in an exquisite harmony.
AQUARIUS RECORDS
We love the harmonica, especially when it's used in super creative ways,
processed perhaps, or spread out over some Morricone-ish post rock, it is
definitely evocative, and has an incredibly unique and distinctive sound,
which definitely comes to the fore when the harmonica is rescued from the
blues rock ghetto it usually finds itself trapped in.
A couple past harmonica favorites: a tape by Usputuspud, a gorgeous
dronescape of processed harmonica, and the sweeping deserty post rock of
Souvenir's Young America, wherein the harmonica was used to add a layer of
mournful mystery, and now we have this cd from NY soundmaker Joshua Convey,
who utilizes harmonica, guitar and electronics, to create deep listening
drones, and mesmerizing soundscapes of repetitive texture.
The opener is a brief shimmer of high end, the harmonica smeared into soft
billowy streaks, the electronics burbling percussively beneath, like a much
more tranquil and washed out Sunroof! The second track finds Convey dipping
his toes into Fennesz territory, a strange murky rhythm, supports a skittery
stuttery high end guitar, that is looped and layered, the notes glimmering
and overlapping, creating strange landscapes of pixilated upper register
metallic shimmer, harmonics drift dreamily, punctuated by smears of grinding
glitchy buzz. The third is a brief clattery soundscape that sounds like a
contact mic dropped into a malfunctioning music box, all truncated twang,
and strange metallic plunks, fractured melodies, and strange mechanical
textures. Which brings us finally to the final track, a nearly 15 minute
expanse of overdriven guitars, the notes transformed into buzzing shards,
the tones chime like but wreathed in pulsing electronics and grinding
distortion, until the distortion dissipates, leaving a slowly unfurling
tangle of steel strings and soft focus harmonics, transforming into a low
end rumble and drift, until the final couple minutes when the guitars become
blown out once again, creating a gorgeous squall of overlapping and almost
psychedelic buzz, before slowly sinking into the murk. Quite challenging,
pretty far out, but definitely haunting and strangely lovely. Fans of fucked
up dronemusick, harmonicas, and gnarled guitars will definitely dig.
Gorgeous diecut packaging with super striking photos by Max
Aguilera-Hellweg.
BRAINWASHED.COM
Written by Creaig Dunton
Monday, 17 September 2007
Another installment in the label's "Arc" series, the debut release from this NY based artist is a study in bedroom recording, a simple and lo-fi, yet captivating work of experimentation.
Joshua Convey, "Vacant Integument"
Utech
The four tracks that make up this disc all draw from the same sonic pallet: guitar, electronics, and a harmonica of all things. However, even with the same instrumentation from track to track, each piece feels like its own distinct entity, thematically similar, but standing alone. The moderate length opener, "Jejune," starts off with the harmonica, which is not something most of the listeners are used to hearing in this sort of context. Convey doesn't play the blues with his mouth harp though, but instead lays down a drifting wall of slow, shrill harmonica through a set of subtle effects and processing, while eventually a loop of synth tones begins to bubble up through the mix until it becomes the dominant element towards the end.
Instead of letting the harmonica continue to lead, "Oospore" opens with a looped set of percussive rumblings that continue throughout to form the "rhythm" of the track, as a plucked guitar motif enters and becomes more and more noticeable as it increases both in volume, presence, and delays. In an entirely different direction is the short piece "Shuck," which sounds as if a collection of found sounds were excised from breaking toys and stretched out to prolong the agony, a chaotic set of rattling and ringing that can't be clearly identified, but still manages to somehow be rhythmic given its loop-based nature.
The closer, "Idle," actually covers the span of about half of the disc, and yet again takes the entire instrumentation of the album and creates something that is different than the previous tracks. Heavier on the effects, the guitar is overdriven, distorted, and grows louder throughout the first half, hitting shrill tones that could easily induce migraines, but accompanied by lo end heavy bass feedback that somewhat makes for a rhythmic backing, but not quite. The guitar backs off and retreats back to a less painful, calmer chime, but the sub-bass feedback stays, ending the album on an interesting contrast.
For a debut, Convey does an excellent job of creating a work that feels like a set of someone's bedroom improvisations that are wonderfully composed and structured. There is the lo-fi analog warmth one would expect, and the always exceptional mastering by James Plotkin keeps this naïve warmth there, but never feeling amateurish or distracting, but instead contributes to the sound and the mood here. It is a great first work from an artist who will hopefully continue to release stuff as interesting as this.
NORMANRECORDS
Volume 5 in the Utech Arc series is the work of Joshua Convey. 'Vacant Integument' consists of 4 experimental tracks created with guitar, harmonica and electronics. This kind of passed me by on first listen as I wasn't really focused on what was happening but on second listen I can really appreciate the subtleties of this CD. The use of repetition lays underneath all kinds of little tones and intricate guitar plucking which wander around the pieces creating an un-nerving feeling. Strange and difficult to describe but worthy of your attention.
CARDINAL is out! A new collaboration between GRIM and Impressus Records, featuring Mirio Cosottini (trumpet), Andrea Melani (drums), Tonino Miano (piano), and Alessio Pisani (bassoon).
For previews, free downloads and purchase visit us at:
Olde skozey fetisch performance newly posted @ YouTube. It was the first ever Noise Pancakes at Pubis Noir. There were three audience members in attendance.
As you may or may not already know, in January of 2009, I am embarking on a two month tour with a friend, Al, of the project My Cell Phone Is Better Than Your Cell Phone (http://www. myspace. com/mycellphoneisbetter). This tour will span the entire length of the United States. We are travelling by Greyhound busline. It will begin January 8th in New York and end March 3rd in Michigan. I was going to wait until the entire schedule was completely done, but as people have been procrastinating, I figured now is as good a time as any. The majority of these shows are free, but as we do not have complete control over such things all of the time, specific shows are charged at the door, though they are very few. Regardless, any donations along the way are more than appreciated, as we are doing this completely independently and out of our pockets. We will be busking at various points on the tour, recording all over the place, and have many things for purchase, to help us eat along the way.
You can read much more detailed information, including that of merchandise and many other things, in this Blog.
Please check there, to see if we are coming to a city/state/theatre near you.
I apologise if you already full well know about this tour, or if you aren’t in the United States, as this is a mass comment. Come out to a show, have fun, mope around, get intoxicated and take off your clothes while running into a snow drift. Whatever floats your Winnebago. If you can’t come out to a show, make sure every person you know comes to a show. We might forgive you then. If not, expect a three AM house visit. Thank you.
CIAN NUGENT 'Childhood, Christian Lies & Slaughter' CD Cian Nugent is a 19 year old guitar player from Dublin who combines squicky pre-war blues, Appalachian string band music, and the Takoma school into a deeply personal style. This cd documents a great live set, produced by Jozef Van Wissem.
So, SRA is now taking preorders on two new releases that should be coming out during the first week of August... I proudly present:
DANIEL CLOUGH - A TRIP TO THE MOUNTAIN SHARK (SRA004)
Abrasive, strange, dynamic grey noise with what sounds like subtle field recordings stumbling their way through, somehow creating the illusion of melody. Created using a casio, a mic, and a load of tapes and a tape deck + the good ol' Reverb & Delay. Sample up here: http://www. naszczepanik. com/sra/A_Trip_To_The_Mountain_Shark. html (One of the quieter tracks on the record.) Limited to 50 copies.
MACHINEFABRIEK - VLOED (SRA011)
Can't even begin to emphasize how happy I am to be able to work with Rutger aka Machinefabriek. Quite a talented guy, with releases on labels as diverse as Lampse., Digitalis, and Kning Disk, this album is a compilation of 3 live sets (the shortest running in at 16 minutes long). Take a listen to the sample available here: http://www. naszczepanik. com/sra/Vloed. html Limited to 180 copies.
Both releases are professionally printed CD-Rs and insert / tray card, and packaged in a shrink-wrapped jewel case. Prices are $8.50 each + shipping. There's now an online store using paypal buttons, so just head to the site if you're interested in ordering:
Sleepercar - Stumble In (2008- cdl/doghouse) Goodbye Diana - Saccado (2008 -Head Records / Basement Apes ) The Dismemberment Plan - What Do You Want Me to Say? (1999- DeSoto) Bellafea - Depart (I Never Knew You) (2008- Southern rec.) Dianogah - A Breaks B (2008- Southern rec.) Violent Femmes - Never Tell (1984-Slash Records) Nisei - Una Setmana Sencera (2007- BCore disc) Laetitia Sheriff}} - Hullabaloo (2008 - Fargo) Calexico - Crystal Frontier [Widescreen Version] (2001- T&G/Quarterstick) Shipping News - Half A House "Tokyo 06" (2000- T&G/Quarterstick)
::the wooden floor::
Animal Collective - Water curses (2008 - Domino) Daniel Dixon - my work is loving the world (unreleased) OLDMAN - Son, father and son (2008 - Arbouse recs.) KARATE - the bed is in the ocean (1998 - Southern recs) Vincent Gallo - Recordings of film music (2002 - warp) June of 44 - Engine takes to the water (1995 - Touch and go) Gastr del sol - the serpentine similar (1993 - Drag city)
::the lights::
Pete Simonelli - A lonely war (2008 - self released) The fun years - The crippling paranoia of fluorescent quinine (self released) Joshua Convey - Vacant integrument (2007 - Utech recs) Sachiko - Kunado (2007 - Utech recs) Zaimph - La nuit électrique (2007 - Utech recs) Magicicada - Everyone is everyone (2006 - Public guilt) Darsombra - Eternal Jewel (2008 - Public guilt)
yeah, wanted to do so since I heard your stuff, but you know how time plays.. Well, next time I come over NY, it would be nice to meet you! and for the like of le knell, there are a few things in the works, ( darsombra RMX, collab with DS, edorta etc..) keep your eyes peeled :-) talk soon, johannes.
Artist : Sean D.C. Marquardt Album : Reisegefaehrten Format : CD-R (100 copies) Reference : HHH 92 Release date : May 2008
Sean D.C. Marquardt from Chicago and livng in Berlin is a free improvisator, a solo performance artist, and a real active artist in his city.
The tracks of this album were created at different point of the journey of Sean D.C. Marquardt. The four parts are connected by its center of gravity: realtime recording about time, space and travel.
Artwork by G.Duby
05. Das Schall Promenth 06. Kontakt aufgenommen revisited 07. Reisegefaehrten [mp3] 08. Weltenbaum
ALSO: ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. A Pocket Full of Skozeys presents a SuperFreaky podcast: http://between_the_vortex. podOmatic. com/ ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. : :008 between the vortex vendor beautiful: : ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. An 8th episode now posted, here, for your concerns are placated and nicely assuaged in this way as some lengthier selections are featured. artistes include: B. C. Gilbert / G. Lewis Hans Grüsel's Krankenkabinet Desmond Simmons MIT skozey fetisch ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. Find the learn moment, you give 'em a listenoid and like 'em freinds are your comment others to leave. Take care, Mark C. / skozey fetisch / criptid ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::.. ..::..
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