Blog
18.09 20.02.2012
In Berlin's NeuKolln, typing from the warm living room of some new - but already beloved - friends. This trip, thus far, has proved both very intense and very rewarding: Interesting art, intense performances, encounters with good old and new friends.. Tomorrow I perform @ NK and after a couple of days I return to Athens where lots of work awaits me. Feeling a bit tired at the moment, tho - so that's it for now !
01.20 20.12.2011
Just got back home after attending the premiere of my 'Anotropia' @ Knot Gallery, feeling kinda relaxed after some very anxious days..I' ll upload some audiovisual material here soon. Also, soon links to an upcoming quadraphonic online release of mine.
Next come a couple of workshops in Athens, finishing up some projects and of course taking some days off with my close ones. I' m on the road again on January for workshops/concerts/talks @ Stockholm/London/Berlin - check the news page for more info. Lots of staff already booked for the next few months, too - more soon - in the meanwhile I enjoy being busy as hell !
a great 'thank you' to all who support and help me !
03.10 10.11.2011
Within this ridiculously stupid political mess, mass media terrorism and generic pessisism (that characterisizes Greece the last few months) I find myself more dedicated than ever to my work and as a consequence relatively busy. And while various parts of myself indulge in 'I' m never gonna make it' and 'there is no future for me' or even 'oh yeah ! chaos, dirt and noise in Athens !' type of feelings, some other parts of me just keep on working relentlessly, making plans and dreams for the future.
So, about politics. Everytime I attempt to get infromed on what' s going on I get exposed to an unbearably big deal of stupidity, amoralism and shameless terrorism. So I rarely attempt to get informed any more. Then, most conversations about politics end up with people telling me what I MUST do or critisizing my life or even praising violence - these are probably the 3 things I hate most.. so I lately prefer not talking about politics, too.
In the end of the day my life was not at all 'secure' or whatever I am told it was in the old days.. I find it pretty Ironic actually. Those nostalgic to the old days are pretty aware that there were huge social/financial problems back then, but they are still missing these days because they were not the ones experiencing those problems.. It doesn' t matter that half the world had been living in terror and poverty, since we were living our lets-make-lots-of-easy-money orgy. An ever-augmenting sense of decay haunts me from the time I remember myself.. It' s always about communicating guilt - this is probably the European herittage.
As for this ridiculous arguement that if I/we HAVE TO do things in order to avoid some imminent destruction. Well, I' m not at all interested - doing things 'at any cost' is not an option. I live not driven by fear but by my personal ethos. I opt to do right now the things I consider worth-doing, rather than aspire some future prosperity or wait for the right conditions. If this is to lead me or my country to destruction, then be it. The end is neither a threat nor an option. Being productive and creative, however is an option. You don' t have to be do it - but this is what I' ve always doing and this is what I will keep on trying to do even if the whole world collapses !
02.55 13.10.2011
Currently in Athens, having a fast gin-with-ice and preparing to go to bed. Strange days, however. Days of ever-changing mood and place. Days of geographical and emotional uncertainty. Rewarding, nevertheless. Even the simplest achievement is only possible through introspection and severe psychological effort. And this makes me feel more alive than ever - I think.
I am being working on new staff and I' ve met lots of interesting people lately. So do stay tuned as lots of new project will soon find their way out. And if you are interested in what I do - this is the time to support me !
01.35 18.08.2011
After 30 hours with no sleep, I spent the greatest part of the day in bed and now I am experiencing the expected insomnia.. So, back to the extremes of European South - as South as it can get actually, on Crete, trying to cope with the heat. I had some great time the last week London, hanging around with old friends and immersing myself into the Londoner' s way of doing things. Pretty satisfied with my performance on NOISE=NOISE too. Nice people, good audience, loud sound, old friends - all great. Makes me think I have to do this more often.
12.19 07.08.2011
After more than three intense weeks in England I have a new fixed medium album ready, some new organ recordings for a future project and the basic code structure for a new generative work.
The latter is a kinda ambitious project both technically and aesthetically speaking. It already involves lots of SuperCollider programming as I had to re-write objects from my personal framework as well as to develop new in order to end up with a nice self-modulating midi-aware gui and a more efficient/flexible spatiallisation algorithm. At some point I plan to create some custom high-order ambisonics encoding/decoding ugens in C++, too, tailored to my needs. Aesthetically speaking the work is still on an embryonic stage and I am not at all sure what happens next. I like to work this way: setting up the techs and the conceptual framework and afterwards, forgetting all these, and based rather on mere intuition and listening, I change/fine-tune anything untill it sounds interesting or at least as good as it can get.
Compared to the extremes of the European South, life in England is being a quite pleasant change. Lots of work that somehow brings me tranquility. And I have the chance to hang around with beloved friends that I have had missed all this time. Unfortunately there is little - and sometimes no - food available near the MRC and since a couple of days I am left with no cooking equipement so my meals are only occasional and rather based on dramatically bad junk food lately.. But that' s ok, in 10 days I' ll be enjoying good Cretan food and worrying about my future - strangely enough I even caught myself looking forward to this (!) In the meanwhile I have a couple of hours free now and it' s Sunday, so I might go to the Town' s for some meat..
Next week I am heading to London, I' ll spend a week there seeing friends, discussing future projects and preparing for my concert on the 15th (with Atau Tanaka, Marco Donarumma, Ryan Jordan - curated by Ryan) in Hackney. Greetings to everybody !!
Some photos from the last months..
00.26 05.07.2011
So many things happen so fast lately that I do not have to react.. Everyday life in Greece is under constant and severe pressure - especially for people into art and education - like me.. However, instead of getting sucked into the vortex of depression, misery and scorn, it is more important than ever to stand up and create things you are proud of. Art is no luxury, it is a necessity for me and under these circumstances it is crucial to keep setting things up while I still can.
That said, working has become really problematic lately. Too much paperwork, too much preparation, too fucking HOT in here.. What I need is some days off. In about a week I will leave for a 5-day vacation trip and right afterwards I fly for the UK where I plan to spend lot of intense hours working on some new ideas and finishing old projects. I' ll stay there until at least mid August.
Not in the mood to write more right now, this was just a quick update and I will come back soon with more details.
10.17 11.06.2011
The last months were very busy. I finished a number of new works, was comissioned the programming part for an intereactive installation (which I coded in C++/OpenFrameWorks), gave a couple of performances in Europe, wrote some academic texts, bla bla bla.
This is a period of great stress in all sectors and uncertainity lies behind every single one of my moves. Nevertheless I have two new works I am looking for places to present this autumn. Sygxysis, for supercollider one or two channels of audio and color projection and Out:In, installation piece for quadraphonic setup and portable mp3 players with headphones.
Currently I am still in Crete waiting for my teaching obligations to end - then I will move to Athens for a couple of weeks, then to Italy for some days and finally I will end up to the Uk where I will spend the greatest part of July and possibly August working on some new installation pieces.
15.15 19.04.2011
I am currently in Athens, in what used to be the place I worked and lived a couple of years ago. I just came for a couple of days mainly for personal reasons. The overall feeling I get here is that of a slow but steady decay in all levels. Misery larks everywhere, unfortunately, and everybody is expecting the worse to happen. But exactly this "everybody is expecting the worse to happen" part is what I find the most intimidating. This is an unacceptable form of terrorism I will not confront to. If something bad is about to happen, that' s ok, let it happen - I am totally defenceless anyway. But in the meanwhile I prefet spending my time in creative tasks rather than worryng all the time..
And speaking on creative tasks.. Lots of new projects. I am fine-tuning a new installation piece named "out:in" for a quadraphonic setup and headphones. I am not sure when and where it will be debuted as it is a logistically complicated work. A new audiovisual work for a mono or dual mono setup is on its last stages too. It is based on very complex stochastic noise structures. More on this soon.
I spend a couple of really tranquil weeks, but curently I am having LOTS of work. Apart from my academic obligations as a teacher that include a lot of "correcting and evaluating" lately, I have a very tight deadline to finish a paper I' ve been working on the last months and a couple of new comissions for audio works plus one to code an applet for a fine-arts project.. I hope the world is still in place by the time I finish all these :-)
10.59 22.03.2011
My recent trip to France-Switzerland for 2 concerts was both intense and interesting. I visited some friends, made some new ones, met great people and had the opportunity to perform for two great (in every respect) audiences. I had a great time for sure ! A warm "thank you" to all those who made this happen and who made me feel so comfortable and intimate during these days.
I was told that my site looks so damn serious formal for such a funny guy like me with such a great sense of humor. Indeed, the truth is that I am not at all "formal" in real life.. but the objective here is to formally present my work. So do not be put off by that..
11.32 24.02.2011
Back in Athens for a night, unfortunately. I can' t stand this city any more.. I want to thank all my friends in England for making me feel so comfortable and warm during my staying there. This is really supportive. My days there were productive for sure, tiring and intense nevertheless. I spent a day in London, too. I am not that fond of London in general, but that particular time I almost fall in love with it.. It was at its bests ! Russel square and Covent garden were so charming.. anyway,
I did some serious progress in this installation project I am into. It' s definitely something new for me in terms of both presentation and context, I think. Now it' s time to step back for a while and let it mature prior to any further fine-tuning. I cannot do otherwise as a matter of fact as I have a lot of urging projects. My imminent concerts in Paris/Lausanne for example - I want to prepare something special. Further, I just agreed to have a multichannel soundscape work released in a Multi AVCHD DVD (for blu-ray players) by an Italian company - I' ll sign the contract in a few days. This as a preample to my imminent concert in Florence in May.
At a personal level I am facing some problems lately that make me feel both awkward and a bit depressed. I assume that my being away enforces such feelings. But what can you do but look ahead and keep on ?
Till next time, a sincere thank you to all those that support me and make me feel "at home".
2.18 18.02.2011
I' m flying for London in a few of hours. The last days I' ve been working like mad over some paperwork and lack of sleep is getting on my nerves.. By the time I return from England I will hopefully have finished mastering Z'EV' s forthcoming release, have sent some project proposals and have done some serious progress with my new work. The latter is to be named OUT:IN and is based on the idea of having an external rig of speakers antagonize a pair of headphones - all performing uncorrelated streams. At least that is the main idea; as I rarely end up with what originally planed lately..
I' m looking fwd to seeing some good friends, too ! This time I plan to dedicate a fair amount of time with them. I might also present some works of mine in a venue in Manchester next week - stay tuned if in the area.
1.34 13.02.2011
My new album "3 studies for environmental recordings, VCS3 and studio response" is released by French cdr label UzuSound in 50 limited copies. I am waiting for my copies next week. Check their site or contact me if you want one. Some dates for forthcoming gigs are already announced - check my agenda page. I also updated the code page with some download-able supercollider and elisp code - check it out.
Next week I am departing for the Uk where I am going to stay for almost week. If there is anything interesting going on that I should know let me know..
20.50 03.02.2011
For several days I' ve been preparing funding applications like crazy, and evaluating my students-pretty nasty job for my taste but you have to do it.. Now I' m spending most of my time on a paper I prepare and on testing some ideas I have for a new work. There are a lot of staff I' m up to. Curatorial work for my label, imminent concerts and trips, teaching, testing, reading, and as always exploring new ways to make things my own way !
10.50 10.01.2011
I' ve spend the last 2 weeks in Athens - partly having vacation of some sort and partly working on this site and preparing my gig @ Knot Gallery w/ Nikos Kyriazopoulos.
Concerning the gig - I had a great time being amongst friends and a small but qualitative audience. Our impro duo was particurarly enjoyable, too ! It' s been a while since my last time OFF stage and it' s always a pleasure to perform for interesting people. Thx to everybody that was there and made this happen.
Back in Heraklion now, extremely busy with all sorts of paperwork and the likes. I then have to take care of the next releases from my label, these will be by Z'EV and Francisco Lopez and hopefully out the next couple of months. Artistically-wise, I' ll soon start working on a new project for a quadraphonic setup plus headphones. more soon.
a couple of photos from Athens and one from a short trip to Mt Psiloritis..
04.29 05.01.2011
Ok, the truth is that I' m not that good with css, php and the likes, but I' ve dedicated a lot of my time to this site, and I' m glad it starts to look like what I had in mind.. A lot to be done yet, though, and I' m quite busy these days. I have a couple of strict deadlines to catch up and I have to take care of all the details of my gig, too.
By the way: I miss Athens all the time when I' m away but the truth is that after a couple of days I just want to leave again out of this city asap..
03.39 04.01.2011
I' m still working on this site and though there a lot yet to be done, the basic structure is more or less set - I' m currently uploading contents. I think I prefer it the way it looks and it will be more easier for me to edit this blog so expect often updates..
New year' s eve found me in Athens and now I' m waiting for my gig in the 7th - I' ll depart soon after this for Heraklion again. These days are a bit busy for me as I have to take care of several things while here.
02.15 03.01.2011
I' m currently developing this new site from scratch - pls be patient as some heavy customizing and uploading is about to take place the next few days..
The entries below are transferred from the old one.
11.24 10.12.2010
Currently in Chania (west Crete), in a hotel, re-organising my site a bit. These days I’ ve being working on a new performative piece called ‘Afield’ for 6 displaced loudspeakers and a sub. It will be debuted in Athens on January, date to be confirmed soon. I’ also working on another piece called out:in - for multi-speaker rig and headphones. My work ‘3 studies for environmental recordings, VCS3 and studio response’ will be released in 2011 by French label UzuSounds.
thx for the support (those who support me) and more events to be announced soon !
09.21 19.11.2010
Heraklion-Athens-Munich-Manchester-York ! Quite a few cities to be in less than 23 hours total.. I have to admit it deserved it though - I like York. It may be just a small rural town - but it’ s a nice one !
The last days I’ ve been working like mad on a new project. It’ s called in:out - soon I’ ll update my project’ s page as well. At first My plans were for an installation piece but it ended up taking the form of a more open-ended performative piece that could be also accommodated elsewhere. The idea is that of having several acoustic spaces juxtaposed to each other and let them interact. There is still work to be carried out, as the material I came up with is vast and - I think - needs to be thoroughly exploited.
I also spend a couple of days field-recording in York with a soundfield ST-250 microphone. I collected a lot of B-Format recordings. Some of them are used in the aforementioned piece some others are just archived. Later on today I’ ll give a live performance for a couple of friends in the Rymer Auditorium - but that’ s gonna be a private event.
23.04 10.11.2010
Really busy lately as I’ m into the usual LOT of projects and teaching as well.. Nevertheless I enjoy it ! Next week I’ m making my bags for some days in York. I plan to conduct a number of experiments on the Rymer Auditorium in the MRC and start working a large-scale sound installation piece there. More on this soon.
09.43 02.11.2010
Back from Corfu. I had a wonderful time there at the Electracoustic Music Days 2010. Corfu is a really beautiful place - it may be in Greece but it has this North-Italian aura ! I had the chance to meet with friends and colleagues that I see rarely and to listen to a lot of music. Now I’m back at Heraklion again!
12.48 18.10.2010
I just finished recording a couple of studies for environmental recordings, VCS3 analogue synth and studio response. It was then that I realise that my faithful recorder would not operate properly for some strange reason.. I already sent it for service. While I’ m waiting for it to be ready I’ m spending my time between various Cretan cities (for those who do not know what this is, Crete is one of the biggest islands in the Mediterranean sea, in the south of Greece - where I’ m currently based).
Next weekend I’ m gonna be in Corfu for the Electracoustic Music Days 2010 - the annual meeting of HELMCA. I’ m gonna perform a solo set for 16 loudspeakers there. Mid November will peobably find me in England where I plan to work on a new installation piece. More on this soon. I’ m also working on some curatorial projects.
Regards and Greetings to all those who support me !
01.56 10.10.2010
The last couple of days were really intense. Francisco Lopez and Z’ EV where here for a concert I was curating (via my agxivatein label). It was a tiring but definitely rewarding experience. The audience had the chance to experience a double bill plus a duet with Francisco siting on the piano.. I bet nobody expected sth like that.. ;-)
just some photos for your pleasure..
11.22 7.10.2010
Back in Athens for a couple of days to take care of the concert. I’ m
I’ ve started a new site @ www.marinoskoutsomichalis.com/teaching where I plan to post staff related with my teaching activities. This aims mainly at my students - but soon I’ ll upload code examples, tutorials, bibliography lists, papers and such that might be of interested to some.
18.24 29.09.2010
For the last month I’ ve been very busy working on new projects and trying to fix some dates for future events. I’ ve been working on a set of fixed media pieces for environmental recordings, VCS3 analogue synth and room resonances. I also wrote a piece for solo oboe and still working on a work for solo violin and on a string quartet. I’ m now back in Crete as I’ ll be teaching some modules on sound synthesis at Crete’ s Technological Institute (TEI).
In about 10 days Z’EV and Francisco Lopez will be in Athens for a concert I’ m curating @ Knot Gallery. At the end of October I’ ll be @ Corfu for this year’ s HELMCA’ s meeting (the first I’ m attending). There are more staff I’ m working on soon to be announced.
Lots of new experiences - looking fwd to everything !
18.25 29.08.2010
I’ ve spend the last 15 days in Crete, now I’ m back in Athens again working on a new set of generative works and sorting myself out for the winter..
21.34 22.08.2010
I’ ve updated the site with some new reviews on my latest albums. Reviews are no longer sorted chronologically but by album. Make sure you check all the albums for new reviews..
12.40 7.08.2010
Vacations are almost over for me by now - not sure what’ s next, but I’ m actually hoping to find it out soon..
01.37 23.07.2010
Just got back from a field-recording trip in Tetrazio Mountain in Peloponnese. Got several sounds, mainly from river Neda - it was exhausting but rewarding. Neda was supposed to be one of the Nymphs that took care of baby Zeus - it’ s the only river with a female name in Greece, a river of outstanding beauty.
Tomorrow I’ m heading even souther, to the island of Crete. Unfortunately I’ ll have to come back to Athens for a couple of days in August.
10.23 17.07.2010
Morale is really, really low lately. My plans for the immediate future are a couple of days in the countryside for field recording work and then vacations, at last.. But as I said, morale is really low..
18.38 21.06.2010
It’ s getting really HOT in Athens lately.. I need to go to an island soon..
18.30 01.06.2010
I just uploaded some reviews on the relevant page. Still working on some events, more soon to be announced..
19.42 25.05.2010
There is a vivid pessimism diffused all over Athens lately, people no longer believe in nothing.. It is a bit difficult to stay focused and carry out artistic work under those circumstances - there is just no motivation..
Amidst all these, I plan to move to Heraclion, Crete in August, where I plan to base myself. I’ m also working towards some live dates on Autumn/Winter. If somebody is interested in booking me he may contact me.
00.55 07.05.2010
New site from scratch - once more I got tired of my old one.. Not everything is up yet, and it’ s gonna need some fine-tuning, too.. Just to remind, also, I' m currently not working on any project, as I am still serving my military service till August.. Fortunately, and after 4 months near the borderlines, I am now just an hour away of my place in Athens..