Alexandra Gardner | Building Noises » recording

Now or Never Recording

Alex — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:46:31 +0000

All I can think to say about 2011 so far is whoa. More on that later!

The good people from Roulette sent the recordings from my November performance, and I have whipped together a mix of Now or Never for your listening pleasure.

It’s going to snow! Again. Buy milk! Buy bread! Buy toilet paper!! Aaaaaahhhhhhh!!!

(Snow drama is especially hilarious after a couple January weeks in Maine, where they know how to handle the stuff!)

Mint Conditioner Recording

Alex — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:34:53 +0000

First of all, last week’s concert at Roulette was, to quote an enthusiastic listener, “absolutely bloody amazing!” Seriously. All of the musicians gave 150%, and I think the choice to follow three pieces for solo instrument and electronics with an acoustic ensemble work provided just the right sort of juxtaposition, or….palette-cleansing? Particularly notable was Logan Coale’s gripping performance of “Mint Conditioner” – I know the piece better than anyone, and I was on the edge of my seat! Thanks to Thomas Buckner and Interpretations for inviting me to part of the series, and to everyone who came out to the show!

Anyway, on to the business at hand! Logan and I took a little trip to Oktaven Audio in Yonkers, where we recorded “Mint Conditioner”, and you can listen to it here. We had a great time working with Ryan Streber, whose setup is quite luxurious (yet affordable!) – in addition to a serious microphone obsession, he has as his main mixing board the Studer 900 series console used by the Metropolitan Opera for live broadcasts over the last 20 years. Fancy!!

Somehow the piece feels like it might pair nicely with turkey and a hearty stuffing. Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Two by Eight Recording

Alex — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:47:05 +0000

A special treat just arrived in my email inbox! A recording of Two by Eight from my friends Compagnie CH.AU (I assure you I have no idea how to pronounce the name either), from a June performance in Vevey, Switzerland. You can listen to it here.

They pretty much nailed the whole “Quirky gypsy wedding band run amok” feel that I was hoping for. Enjoy!

Violectrica!

Alex — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:30:05 +0000

The fierce and fabulous violinist Jennifer Choi has released a CD! Violectrica features music for violin and electronics, including my work electric blue pantsuit, along with compositions by Annie Gosfield, Susie Ibarra, Padma Newsome and Randall Woolf, as well as a set of improvisations by Jennifer herself with Ikue Mori. I am excited to be part of this engaging and unique recording!

Violectrica is available at CDBaby, so head on over and scoop up a copy!

New recording – “Bloom”

Alex — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:28:52 +0000

Hi Everyone! It’s nice to be finished with another round of Composer Lockdown and out in the sunlight! I’ve just posted the recording of Bloom that Joshua and I made in the recording studio last month. We had so much fun. Enjoy!

New Electric Blue Pantsuit Recording

Alex — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 02:47:09 +0000

A quickie post to let you know about a new studio recording of electric blue pantsuit, which you can listen to here. Jennifer Choi and I recorded it last spring at Threshold Music. An even more sparkly version will be released on Jennifer’s solo CD soon!

Here is a photo of us performing it last week, thanks to the impressive ninja photography of Mitch Eaton.

Hair, Heat, Radio Music

Alex — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:53:09 +0000

There really aren’t enough good things to say about a hairdresser who truly understands one’s cowlick situation. Mine also happens to be an up-and-coming DJ and producer!

August! To be honest, I’m not really a fan. Hot, sticky, even thoughts seem a bit stuck in the air… I find myself just waiting for September to roll in. But this year it has suddenly filled up with all sorts of events and work and the very best thing, out-of-town friend visits! Why anyone would come to DC in August is beyond me, but I’ll take it!

Last week I put finishing touches on a bunch of music composed for a new radio documentary series about global warming research taking place in Antarctica. I made the theme music and all the material in between, which included musical segments with labels like “glacier music”, “scientific investigation music”, “historical discovery music” and “cold windy desolate music”. Using Ableton Live as a primary software tool was a blast (why, oh why did I not learn this program years ago??!), and I am so so so glad I have learned to archive almost all of my composing stuff. Those improvised recordings from earlier pieces weren’t right for those things at those times, but some of them work great for this thing now. I was positive that material was useless – ha!

The radio programs have yet to be assembled and edited, so I only have the faintest idea of how the music will fit in….can’t wait to find out! Will keep you posted about when the final products hit the airwaves.

In other new music news:

This looks like quite possibly the best new music festival ever. Words about it are here and here.
My favorite Bad Boys of Baltimore have unleashed the new Mobtown Modern website, which includes 2008-2009 season concerts. Looking forward to joining them in October!

New Recordings Online

Alex — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:34:07 +0000

Hi! Another quick note to say that there are some new recordings posted… for those of you who haven’t found it yet, you can hear The Way of Ideas here (and here as well), and Mythimna Twilight is here.

Many thanks to Flawn Williams (who does not have a web site, but hopefully will soon!) for his help in repairing and sweetening the recording of Mythimna. It’s good to have another pair of ears around!

Off and running – see you soon!