The Squid's Ear Magazine


Myers, David Lee: Ceremonial Fires (pulsewidth)

A journey through an uncharted jungle island from NY electronic composer David Lee Myers, aka Arcane Device, using field recordings in rhythmic environments with synthetic sounds buzzing and whirling around and electronic tones and textures rising and falling, composing detailed song structures that are embraceable and awe-inspiring at the same time.
 

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Label: pulsewidth
Catalog ID: PW023
Squidco Product Code: 32996

Format: CDR
Condition: New
Released: 2023
Country: USA
Packaging: Cardstock gatefold foldover

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"To be still surprised is a great thing. I heard a lot of music by David Lee Myers under that name and his moniker Arcane Device. Some in the past few weeks (even last week) were all along the lines of what one expects. Serious works of drone music, sometimes louder, sometimes more complex, lean heavily on modular electronics and self-generating sound systems. Then Ceremonial Fires arrived. Nothing short of a total blast here. First of all, these thirteen pieces are short and to the point. I have no idea why there is a radical change like this, but Myers works with rhythms, sampled voices, sampled everything, and stuck together to be a good song...none of this aims at the dance floor but is well suited for a proper sit-down and listening session. In each of these pieces, a lot is happening. On the surface, the front-end of the piece and in the background, Myers creates a dense field that never blurs. It is always open and spacious, and much care for the more minor details of the music. I have no idea if this is a one-off change of direction or something Myers will explore further in the future. Obviously, I hope the last will be the next route for him. There is a lot of new territories to explore here, and the road is wide open."-Frans de Waard, Vital Weekly


Get additional information at Vital Weekly

Artist Biographies

"David Lee Myers is a sound and visual artist who has lived and worked in New York City since 1977. Pulsewidth serves as the platform for his activities in the arts, particularly sound projects, a number of which have been released under the Pulsewidth record label.

From 1987 through 1993, sound projects were developed under the name Arcane Device. With the development of new devices in 2014, it seems fitting for the moniker to be revived.

Myers work stems from an enthusiasm for electronics and the world of electrons as it relates to the realm of vibration and sound. After a fine arts education and many years in music, in 1987 Myers' accidental discovery of "Feedback Music" led to a new appreciation of the unseen forces underlying audible electronics."

-Pulsewidth (http://www.pulsewidth.com/)
3/27/2024

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Track Listing:



1. Fingers 4:43

2. The Kudzu 3:12

3. Smoke Signals 3:04

4. Luminescent Pool 5:10

5. Okefenokee 3:59

6. Snap Pea Soup 4:17

7. Tarpit 3:09

8. Snake Feet 3:38

9. Mr. Akwekwe's Outpost 3:50

10. Compactor 3:35

11. Healing Spear 3:25

12. Flytraps 2:24

13. Doctor Memory 4:06

Related Categories of Interest:


Electro-Acoustic
Organized Sound and Sample Based Music
Field Recordings
Electroacoustic Composition
Electronica
NY Downtown & Metropolitan Jazz/Improv
Solo Artist Recordings
Staff Picks & Recommended Items
New in Experimental & Electronic Music


Search for other titles on the label:
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The Squid's Ear Magazine

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