The rear-projected light show
Hey Yo La Tengo fans - if you're like me, perhaps you've been frustrated by their relative lack of NYC gigs lately. They used to play a few times a year, it seemed, but lately they've been laying low. So I'm psyched that they just announced a couple last-minute gigs this Friday at the Anthology Film Archives. These are not your standard gigs - they will be improvising a soundtrack to a live light show done by Gary Panter, of Pee-Wee's Playhouse fame, and Joshua White, of Fillmore East fame:
The rear-projected light show uses many direct, refracted, filtered, reflected, and interrupted light sources to interpret multi-layered prerecorded music and live improvisation. Some of the sources and light-bending apparatus were used in the original "Joshua Light Show." The effect is hypnotic, compelling and relaxing: an immersive color and shape experience that can inspire vivid daydreams, personal reflection, and a re-awakening of visual awareness. It is also immensely entertaining. Each show is a unique live performance, generated by the long-time love of both artists for light abstraction and phenomena.
No word yet on if you can trade in your "Blue Line Swinger" requests for mushrooms at the door, but this should be pretty cool regardless based on The Sounds of the Sounds of Science - their soundtrack to old films of aquatic life. There are shows at 7 PM and 9 PM, with tickets only available day of show.
...netes the news that Sigur Ros; is currently recording the follow-up to its beguiling, but vocabulary-challenged album. According to its official Web site, the band is working out of the Sundlaugin studio, which they converted from an swimming pool, built in the 1930's. They hope to have the new material out by Spring, 2005 with singles and a world tour to follow.
While I really enjoyed, I was driven to frustration by singer Jonsi's use of the same five imaginary words in almost every song. I mean, how many times can I hear "you sigh lo, you sigh" without losing my mind? My hope is that they'll return to the more lush, melodic and varied sound of the masterpiece, Ágætis Byrjun. Fingers are crossed.