MELDS

Recorded January 17, 2022 at La Luna Recording

Engineered by Ian Gorman

Mixed and Mastered by Christopher Biggs

Produced by Nodes and Koshkil Records 

Cover art and designed by Christopher Biggs

 

Andrew Rathbun uses D’Addario reeds and products. 

Keith Hall plays Remo Drumheads, Yamaha Drums, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Zildjian Cymbals, and Big Fat Snare Drum products. 

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Part I

 

01 ALIENS AND ANCESTORS 

02 PYRAMIDS

03 EASTER ISLAND

04 STONEHENGE

05 AMPHIBIAN HUMANOID

06 DOES THAT MEAN ?!

07 CONSCIOUS AND QUANTUM FIELDS

08 ESP ZONE 

09 ENTANGLED MINDS

10 TELEKINESIS

11 WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

 

Part II

 

12 ENTROPY AND ETERNITY

13 SANDCASTLES FOR POSTERITY

14 OSMOSIS WAVE

15 BLACK HOLE EJECTION SEAT

16 WHAT TO DO NOW?

17 SUPERMAN AND SUPERVENIENCE

18 PHYSICAL FACTS

19 DUALIST DESTINY

20 PHENOMENAL FACTS

21 WHEN TO BECOME?

22 SHE STORM

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She Storm by Lisa Renée Coons, ASCAP

All other compositions by NODES. 

 

Support provided by the Kalamazoo Artistic Development Initiative, a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. 

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Melds is the second release by NODES, a collective ensemble that combines a traditional “tenor-trio” with live electronics. This album is about distinctive, deep combinations and their interplay over short and long timescales. The acoustic members of the group expand their standard sonic palette with audio effects and auxiliary percussion. A custom live electronics setup adds a new dimension via live synthesis, audio effects applied to members of the trio, and live recording and playback with manipulation of musical material created by the acoustic instruments. This layer combines with the trio to create unique textures and otherworldly sonic imprints that, in turn, cause the other members of the ensemble to react and play in new ways. 

This release is an evolution from our first recording Incubated Dilemma Machine. There is more thematic development, and an increased level of trust and listening. The electronics seamlessly integrate and blend with the musicians. Spontaneity and surprise are two things that we really value in music. This band and its material presents surprises at every turn, while creating satisfying structure and arrival points in a free improv context.

The first 21 tracks are grouped into three larger forms, each group terminating with question. Each group includes tracks that reflect exactly what happened in the studio. Between many of those tracks there are post-produced tracks that recontextualize and combine material from the surrounding tracks to create transitions and relationships between material and to give each group an identity. In the studio we recorded one or more tracks with every possible duo and trio, in addition to numerous tracks with the full quartet. We then listened, grouped, and tried to create an album that would present a story and demonstrate the ways in which these performing forces can meld in real-time and out-of-time.

The album terminates with our interpretation of Lisa Renée Coons’ beautiful graphical score, She/Storm. Coons’ collaborated with us on how to interpret the text, insects, medical imagery, and black out poetry, which is recited by John Hébert. This project represented a new venture for us and her evocative imagery elicited some remarkable performances from the musicians, one version of which is captured on this record and provides a beautiful termination that follows the many ellipses. 

Andrew Rathbun

Chrsitopher Biggs

Kalamazoo, January 2024