I have been composing, producing and arranging electronica and psychedelia for many years. Or perhaps more accurately, I have been leaning over my old analogue synth friends and doing "something between discovering and witnessing", as the late great Bob Moog put it. Like Bob, I really do believe that the circuits in some old keyboards are channelling some deep spiritual energy which is also somehow imbued with personality - theirs and mine!
My best known project to date has been B(if)tek, a collaboration between myself and Kate Crawford. We released our first album 'Sub-Vocal Theme Park' independently in 1996, signed to Sony to release '2020' in 2000, then released 'Frequencies Will Move Together' in 2003 with the assistance of the Australia Council. Heres a link to our albums on I-Tunes ..
Our legacy site is here: B(if)tek One of the highlights of the Sony '2020' release was our cover of the classic pop song 'Wired for Sound' by Tarney and Robertson, made into a hit by Christian white rocker Cliff Richards in the 1970s. The sublime Julee Cruise (of Twin Peaks fame) sang the lyrics with sly perfection, an esctatic sweetness just slightly sinister and sexually subversive. Some Australian rock critics slammed this track for the fact that it was apparently void of any 'coolness' whatsoever. Our fans loved it, and I've even seen it listed on 'all time best covers' lists. '2020' also included samples from legendary electronic pioneer Raymond Scott.
Over that period, I also pursued a solo project called Artificial. I released 2 albums, 'Electro-Lollipop-Explosion' (through Melbourne Underground Konsortium) and 'Libraries Are Fun' (with the assistance of the Yarra City library network - yes, really!). Thanks to the exuberance of youth, I also released 3 vinyl compilations featuring some of my tracks, but also those of my funky friends here and overseas. These were called 'Stoner Classix', featuring psychedelic artwork and a new episode of a comic called Pigeon Coup (written by Aaron Doty and myself) with each release. Heres a link to my two albums on I-Tunes. ..
I've also done quite a bit of composing for film, TV and theatre. My most recent large project was working with Byron Scullin (as The Experts) to produce the soundtrack for Lonely Planet's '6 Degrees' TV series. Byron is an excellent composer, audio engineer, post-production specialist and all round nice guy: Boz Present
Over the last 4 years I have been writing mostly country influenced psychedelic ballads. I have two outfits now.
The oldest is Dust, a 100% live 5 piece loosely in this genre, but we traverse a lot of sonic territory.
Early reviewers have had this to say about our debut album "Songs":
"With the album "Songs", Dust prove there is room for another genre. A gentle interplay between technology and played instruments is brought together via sophisticated production that delivers a kind of psyche/alt/country that is very easy to enjoy, but the more you listen, the more you find." Tim Richie, ABC Radio National, July 2007 "Dust’s debut album "Songs" is 'an intoxicating mixture of country twang, melancholy folk and urban scrawl, all with psychedelic overtones…all warmly nostalgic and atmospheric' " Terrascope.co.uk, July 2007 More info about Dust here: Dust
You can get our album from I-Tunes here:
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In Dec/Jan 2008, I got together with video artist, photographer and singer Tanya Andrea Stadelmann and we formed a psychedelic/electronic/folk duo called The Jilted Brides. By February, we had recorded an album (Larceny of Love) which is a mixture of dreamy ballads and extended electronic pieces of sacred music, which I have called 'electronic hymns'. As of May, we have been in North America, and we are travelling the country taking up a number of artist residencies in beautiful locations. More sounds and information about The Jilted Brides here: The Jilted Brides Finally, the collection of all the Pigeon Coup comics has at last been published in hard copy form. Jim Woodring (a visionary illustrator hero of mine who uses comics as his mystic mule into alt.Jerusalem) kindly gave us positive feedback and enthused that PC was "aggressively strange!". You can view the comics and order the deluxe edition here: Pigeon Coup Comix The songs: noodler notes
1. Les Galaxies
This is the last track off B(if)tek's first album Sub-vocal Theme Park. I wrote it late one night as a kind of tribute to Godard, it contains many samples from 'Alphaville'. Sub-vocal was independently released with the help of Geekgirl, and licensed for Europe by Nephilim. The album sold out and became an underground cult classic quite quickly. We never did a second pressing, but we have finally made it available again on-line thanks to Psy-Harmonics 2. Scatter Frost Like Ashes
This is off the last B(if)tek album 'Frequencies Will Move Together' (2003). One of the major concepts of this album was exploring the emotional dimensions of low frequencies, and also the energetic experience of 'entrainment' - one frequency emitted will encourage others to synch with it. One of the best tracks on this album is simply a recording of a cat purring! It was produced with the generous assistance of The Australia Council and Vic Arts. Also available from Psy-Harmonics 3. Compromise
My first excursion into psychedelic electronica meets folk, both genres seemed to melt naturally together with the raw detuned down and out sensibility. Vox: Reverend Purr; fiddle Jen Anderson. This track is from 'Libraries Are Fun' (most of which was downbeat funky acid), which featured some promotional posters for use by libraries (I still have some if any librarians or bookworms out there would like one??). 'Libraries' also includes 'Whatever Turns You On', another Toupee collaboration, featuring funky gibbon ass samples courtesy Bill Oddie of 'The Goodies' fame. Jackie Ryan did a fantastic film clip for another song off this album which was set in a cute old Brisbane library, it can be found here: Jackie Ryan 4. Darkness/ Light (excerpt)
This is one of the 'electronic hymn's' from The Jilted Brides debut album. This track has many meanings for me, it is the sound of beginning of the universe and the first emergence of light. It is also the sound of the soul departing from life and looking for guiding light.
The secret stash: rarities
There are small quantities of B(if)tek and Artificial vinyl, posters, CDs and other releases stored in caves near the Dead Sea, independent record stores, and maybe in my shed. Email for more details.
Greetings from Heber City Utah! I hope you were able to tour the US. At least the music cities where you would be appreciated. I can see why your music would be great for film because of it's "cinemagraphic" quality. Instant mood! Great!
I finally have a new electronic project out now that you may enjoy and I wanted to at least let you know about it. The CD is called, "I was there, I traveled but I can't remember when'...
hey nicole, how's it going? just letting you know that episode nine of jammy toast is online now including 'Any Ladies?' thanks for being involved in the show, hope you enjoy.
Hi! Hope everything's ok with you. There's three new pieces up now with the radioensemble: "Lorre" "Thin man" "A day with the professor". It's sort of beta versions so they're probably not final in any way. Check them out if you find the time. All the best! / The Magic Radio Ensemble
“A kaleidoscope of sampled instruments put into an avant-garde symphony…..Without question, this release shows that sampling is a true art form ……….. during part 2 it turns into what can only be described as bizarre carnival music, as if one were lost in some Neil Gaiman landscape.” ReGen Magazine
CD now available www.myspace.com/thedarkeningscale
Hey Nic, Here's the poster for the launch of the 'Anarchy Monarchy' EP at Barbukka on Smith St - Friday 9th of November. One of our last gigs in this trio line-up ever, free dvd's at the door and support from ORISHA and DJ JOY BOY #1. You're on the door list. But most importantly thanks for a brilliant remix of 'The Story'!!!
I've been thinking and I thought maybe I should start doing a daily poodle bulletin featuring different poodles from my collection. See this one is in space and it has a bone, kind of like an accessory which adds to the value of the poodle.
This poodle could have been better but its just a quick example I fixed up to show whats possible.
So I was just wondering, do you think this is a good idea? I could even do tailored poodles for the individual. Like if you were from the ghetto I could do a poodle with gold chains and stuff. so let me know, I'd like to get some feedback before going ahead. I think this could be cool.
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