Interzone - March 22, 2005: Avant-Garde I

[Cozy]

Hellllooooo,


This week's theme involves the exploration of music commonly referred to as "avant-garde". Often used to describe art that is cutting-edge and counter-cultural, in our community the term has become fairly nebulous over the years, and possibly with good reason. This program will focus on the continuum (the gray space) of music we refer to as avant-garde.

Avant-garde is often used to describe music of a fairly eclectic nature, delving into areas that are fairly opposite of what the average person commonly associates with music. Dark melodies, angular progressions, dissonance, atonal sounds, free-form playing, and a disregard for musical structure are all elements that have been used to describe avant-garde artists. But this by no means exclusively defines avant-garde.

An interesting quote I read once: "Today's avant-garde is tomorrow's mainstream" always summed up the musical cycle pretty well for me. Based on this idea, avant-garde comes off as less a style, and more of a philosophy.

Many musical artists in the past 50 years were influenced by classic examples of avant-garde in art, literature, and classical music.

In the 60's, jazz artists such as Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, and Cecil Taylor were redefining how people perceived jazz. Music became more free-form, disregarding conventions, and re-defined by individual artist's terms. Some modern day jazz artists have carried on this tradition by mixing elements of jazz with free-form improvisation, classical music, minimalism, and rock elements to name a few. In fact, many prog rock artists were influenced by these 60s jazz artists.

In the 70's, there was a small political movement started in the rock community by Chris Cutler (of Henry Cow) known as "R.I.O." or Rock-In-Opposition. The mission of RIO was essentially to make a statement against the music industry. They felt that the industry was responsible for compromising art. Artists in this loosely aligned movement included Henry Cow, Samla Mammas Manna, Univers Zero, Etron Fou Leloublan, Stormy Six, and later Art Zoyd, Art Bears, and Aqsak Maboul. These "official" RIO bands didn't necessarily have a common sound, yet they all have been referred to as avant-garde and avant-prog by many. It is important to note however that these bands were the only RIO artists, despite the fact that many present-day artists are labeled as such.

Ironically, the diversity in styles amongst the original RIO bands contributed ultimately to the nebulous nature of the term. Now avant-garde and RIO in the prog rock community are practically interchangeable.

On these Interzone shows, we will focus on the “styles” associated with music we label as avant-garde. While terms such as avant-jazz, avant-fusion, avant-prog, RIO, etc may or may not be ideal to describe the music, they do give the listener some idea of what to expect.

This will be the first of many avant-garde themed programs. I hope you enjoy.


- Cozy


PS: Playlist to come!

[Cozy]

Here is the playlist for Tuesday's show.


March 22, 2005 – Avant Garde #1

Playlist:
Gregg Bendian-Drive-(Myriad)-2000-USA
Biota-Distraction-(Object Holder)-1995-USA
Present-The Little Limping Girl-(No. 6)-1999-Belgium
Hoyre-Kone -Beata Viscera-(Huono Parturi)-1997 -Finland
Hoyre-Kone -Terva-Antti Ku Haihin Lahti-(Huono Parturi)-1997 -Finland
Satoko Fujii Quartet-15 Minutes To Get To The Station-(Zephyros)-2003-Japan
La Grande Formation-Je Me Rappelle-(Anyone Lived In A Pretty How Town)-1991-Belgium
Hans Koch, Schutz, Studer-BQ 144-(Hardcore Chamber Music)-1995-Switzerland
Henry Cow-Ruins-(Unrest)-1974-UK
Aka Moon-Worlds Of Possible-(Invisible Moon)-2001-Belgium
Far Corner-Tracking-(Far Corner)-2004-USA
Far Corner-Going Somewhere-(Far Corner)-2004-USA
Ruins-Wanzhemvergg-(Tzomborgha)-2002-Japan
Coleman, Steve-Wheel Of Nature-(The Opening of the Way)-1998-USA
Coleman, Steve-Day Five-(Genesis/The Opening of the Way)-1997-USA
Christy Doran’s New Bag-Who Knows?-(Heaven is Back In The Streets)-2002-Switzerland
----
Featured Album:
Art Zoyd--Generations Sans Futur-1980-France



Hope you enjoy.
- Cozy

[Yesspaz]

Originally posted by Cozy
Ruins-Wanzhemvergg-(Tzomborgha)-2002-Japan

Are you a fan of Rovo?

[Cozy]

Hey Ben,

I've only heard a few tracks off of the Tzadik release "Tonic". Pretty cool stuff. I suppose I should investigate further.

I'm not that well versed in the modern Japanese rock and jazz scenes. Though I'm eagerly waiting a new Koenji album.



- Cozy

[Cozy]

I just wanted to take a moment to recommend this show to a man who embodies the spirit of open-mindedness, a man who always shows tolerance to music in all its forms....

...yes, I'm speaking of OldSod.

Somewhere, somehow, I know he is listening tonight.




I'm just sorry I didn't include any Happy Family in tonight's playlist. Please forgive the oversight.



- Cozy

[podakayne]

although i came in on the last of the extended play(art zoyd) i loved what i heard. Better still whoever was running the playlist after your show kept the beat going...i couldnt find any of these on the playlist (writing what i can see on the WPN list:

critters buggin
alex cline ensemble
jaga jazzist
the nels cline singers
satoko fujii quartet

not sure if i'm gonna hang out to hear what kayo dot, mr. bundle or Jeff Gauthier Goatette(think i've heard him) is... must inquire later.

good show
poda

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Originally posted by Cozy
...yes, I'm speaking of OldSod.

Somewhere, somehow, I know he is listening tonight.

- Cozy

And we can only hope he was bitchin' and moanin' the entire time!

[Cozy]

Originally posted by podakayne
Better still whoever was running the playlist after your show kept the beat going...

Uh... that was my alter-ego, Yzoc. That bastard is always playing around with the station.

we can only hope he was bitchin' and moanin' the entire time!

Haha. I'd like to think he was touched deeply.



- Cozy