{"id":3323,"date":"2020-05-31T00:00:55","date_gmt":"2020-05-31T07:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/josephaleo.com\/blog\/?p=3323"},"modified":"2021-07-02T20:45:32","modified_gmt":"2021-07-03T03:45:32","slug":"soundwave-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/josephaleo.com\/blog\/soundwave-9\/","title":{"rendered":"SOUNDWAVE : 9 : KIRK MARKARIAN"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When I launched SOUNDWAVE I didn\u2019t have a plan for the show beyond being a coping mechanism for COVID-19. The first could of weeks under the safe at home lockdown I was white-knuckling it every day. We\u2019re we going to enter a Great Depression? A lot of the shelves in the supermarket were bare. When I used the keypad to pay for my groceries there was an undercurrent of anxiety. Would touching it might end up killing me? I\u2019m sure you experienced your own version.<\/p>\n\n

It became clear one of the few things that was providing solace was the ambient, classical, experimental and instrumental music I was listening to. I reasoned that if the music was listening to was giving me some relief then other folks might as well. And producing a monthly show would also provide a welcome distraction from my fears.<\/p>\n\n

That was it. That was the plan.<\/p>\n\n

But I quickly decided to update SOUNDWAVE\u2019s schedule to a weekly basis for as long as the safe at home orders were in place. Almost immediately afterwards I began inviting guest deejays to contribute mixes to the show.<\/p>\n\n

I did not anticipate was everyone\u2019s generosity. Nearly everyone I asked to sent me a mix and as I write this I have shows scheduled to September. I\u2019m tempted to release all the shows all at once \u00e0 la Netflix so you can listen to the mixes \u00e0 la carte. It feels criminal to have all this wonderful music to myself only to dole it out to you once a week.<\/p>\n\n

When I made the decision to invite guest deejays to share their mixes I reached out to people I knew from my electronic music podcast, solipsistic NATION<\/a>. One person I contacted was David Newman, founder of Audiobulb Records<\/a>. I never had the opportunity to have David on the show but I was hoping to have him contribute a mix to SOUNDWAVE. David wasn\u2019t able to participate but he did introduce me to Gert De Meester<\/a> of Distant Fires Burning<\/a> and Kirk Markarian<\/a> of Neuro\u2026 No Neuro<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Kirk is our guest deejay today. I knew the show was in good hands when I listened to Kirk\u2019s Electronic Frequencies<\/a>, an excellent program on Concertzender Radio<\/a> in Utrecht, that features ambient and experimental composers. More great music for us to enjoy!<\/p>\n\n

Before Kirk talks about his mix I encourage you to purchase one or more of the songs you enjoyed on today\u2019s show. The artists pour their hearts into each track. Your purchase of songs or albums helps them continue working on their craft but also puts food on their tables and a roof over their heads.<\/p>\n\n

See you next Sunday. Our guest deejay is Planet Boelex<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

\"Kirk
Kirk Markarian<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

This mix begins with a track by NOEL-KIT \u2013 \u201cSummertime\u201d \u2013 from their album, Tokyo Noise<\/a><\/em>. Sounds pan about the audio field, growing, fading; bursting from underneath NOEL-KIT\u2019s enthusiastic interpretation of the season. <\/p>\n\n

Following this, we move into \u201cEdall\u201d by Autistici from their album Beneath Peaks<\/a><\/em>. Almost like breathing, the track pulls one in and cycles to and fro until the cycle speeds up, and becomes off-kilter, shifting the listener into a gentle, calm, yet shiny future.<\/p>\n\n

From there, out of the soothing wash, we have a longer track by the artist Distant Fires Burning \u2013 \u201cScience Stops\u2026\u201d \u2013 from their album Build on Me<\/a><\/em>. Starting with a beautiful electric keyboard sound that echos softly into the distance, the track blends into a harmonic freeze that shifts the listener into a hazy field.<\/p>\n\n

From there, a soft segue into Wil Bolton\u2019s long play \u201cWoven Geometry\u201d from their album Viridian Loops<\/a><\/em> begins. Field recordings exist throughout the entire track while beautiful synthetics pulsate fade in and out around the beautiful padding underneath the entire piece. <\/p>\n\n

For the final track, we fade into an uplifting rhythmic piece by mg&mw \u2013 \u201cSeagulls\u201d \u2013 off their album All Steamed Up<\/a><\/em>. Analog synths, harmonica, bass, and electric percussion all blend into a very catchy tune that places the listener directly into a moment.<\/p>\n\n