MELDS
Nodes
1. MELDS Part I - Aliens and Ancestors 03:22
2. Pyramids 01:14
3. Easter Island 03:59
4. Stonehenge 02:27
5. Amphibian Humanoid 01:01
6. Does that mean?! 04:43
7. Conscious and Quantum Fields 02:32
8. ESP Zone 02:22
9. Entangled Minds 02:16
10. Telekinesis 02:00
11. What does that mean? 03:31
12. MELDS Part II - Entropy and Eternity 02:48
13. Sandcastles for Posterity 01:21
14. Osmosis Wave 05:16
15. Black Hole Ejection Seat 02:14
16. What to do now? 02:35
17. Superman and Supervenience 04:16
18. Physical Facts 02:01
19. Dualist Destiny 03:35
20. Phenomenal Facts 01:40
21. When to Become? 03:22
22. She Storm 15:12
ABOUT
MELDS is the new release from NODES, one of my favorite projects that I’ve ever been involved with, and this second release integrates the live electronic processing and the trio in new and surprising ways. As improvisors, we are always looking for new challenges and landscapes, and Christopher Biggs has upped the ante on our second album, integrating his sonic landscapes into the overall texture of the music seamlessly, creating a palette of sounds that inspire us and force us to listen and react in totally new ways. We were also thrilled to record a new piece written for us by Lisa Renée Coons, entitles She Storm." ANDREW RATHBUN
To listen the full album and to buy it click here
MUSICIANS
www.andrewrathbun.com
John Hébert bass and voice
www.instagram.com/johnhebertbass
Keith Hall drums
www.keithhallmusic.com
Christopher Biggs live electronics
www.christopherbiggsmusic.com
BACKGROUND
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.
Support provided by the Kalamazoo Artistic Development Initiative, a program of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.
She Storm by Lisa Renée Coons, ASCAP
All other compositions by NODES.
LINER NOTES
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
Christopher Biggs
Kalamazoo, January 2024