"Picture of Now" is the product of an eight-hour recording session at the esteemed Wonderpark Studios in Brooklyn NY, in which the group freely experimented and improvised using a variety of sonic textures, effects, and treatments. Something that made this session unique was the implementation of real-time sampling and treatment of sounds as they were created. That is to say that, in addition to the live sound of each instrument in the room, the sampled and manipulated sound of each instrument added a voice of its own, facilitating conversation with "the ghost in the machine" so to speak. This album is a selection and curation of moments from that series of improvisations, which revealed themselves as pieces that, to us, speak to the "Now" of the day we recorded them, as well as the "Now" of our present moment-
A "Picture of Now"
Artist Bios:
Greg LaPine, originally from Danbury, CT, is a saxophonist, composer, improviser, and multi-instrumentalist based in NYC. As a saxophonist, some of his most recent engagements include international tours with satanic ska unit, Mephiskapheles (LES Manhattan), and performances with NYC Ska Orchestra, Cannabis Cup Band, SunDub, among others. As an improviser/composer, LaPine co-leads experimental improvised music collective, Picture of Now alongside Ted Morcaldi, and has written and arranged music for progressive metal/fusion ensemble, Mid Atlantic Title.
Ted Morcaldi is a guitarist, composer, improviser, and sonic texturalist. He regularly tours with other bands, most recently joining reggae group The Meditations for their US tour. He has also toured the world with jazz artists, such as pianist and organist Matthew Whitaker.
Alongside Pet Beast, Morcaldi is a member of experimental improvised music collective Picture of Now, along with saxophonist Greg LaPine and drummer George Spanos. As a solo artist, he also performs original compositions for acoustic and electric guitar. Most recently, he has been making minimal, ambient guitar music, involving the live creation of layered textures using delays and looping devices.
George Spanos (b. 1979), originally from Greece, is an internationally acclaimed drummer and composer who is based in New York. He started taking piano lessons at the age of eight, continuing at the age of fourteen with his studies of modern drums and percussion. Spanos' recent highlights include his performances with John Zorn, Ikue Mori, Marc Ribot, Leo Genovese, Daniel Carter, Juini Booth, Lawrence Clark, On ka'a Davis, Sylvie Courvoisier, Erik Friedlander, Steve Swell, Miles Griffith, The Downtown Avengers, Unanimity Quintet and many other incredible artists.
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