My Father's Many Patents, Volume 1

Alright then, here is the first installment in the ongoing "My Father's Many Patents" series. Two tracks... the first is basically just me experimenting with Audacity and my computer's ridiculously shitty built-in mic. The low rumbling drone that fades in and out is pan flute, so look out for that. The second track is an organ improvisation. Here's to new equipment!

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considering abandoning this blog in favor of a more generalized livonia blog... the record label is on hold... potential title for toad album "heroes and villains"... reading 'watchmen' and 'elegant universe'... car battery dead... one week left...

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Nihilism: moral laziness, or spiritual challenge?

Fall on the Horizon and...

Summer is nearing an end, and its last "hoorah" is due to make an appearance this weekend, as my parents are leaving town. Obviously, some Disco activity is bound to occur. Perhaps it will be the first installment in my new series of recordings entitled My Father's Many Patents. I came up with the concept today while ripping Tim Buckley's Lorca from vinyl. On the wall downstairs are 21 of my father's patents, and each one has a name that's hard to get out of your mouth in a single breath. The project will be released in however many volumes I find necessary to get the point across. It will most likely feature albums, eps, and perhaps even a single or to. The point is to explore the more varied possibilities I might otherwise ignore in sound and music.

In addition, to Patents I have also been working on a new full-length that is meant to be a more in-depth exploitation of the Hot Pink Happiness sound. This record will surely be the greatest thing I have done once it is completed. I have no doubt about that.

Hosts still have a bunch of material waiting to find its way onto a full-length at some point, as well as a new concept inspired somewhat by the Western Disco session, which would have The Toad Disco and The Western Click! releasing albums of the same length simultaneously, as well as a Hosts album of both projects played together at once. John and I each have one instrument we are focusing on for the piece.

And finally, Half-Pair of Trios got together the other day and recorded some new improvised material in John's basement. As of this moment, we aren't 100% sure of what will be done with it, but I will definitely let you know as soon as that news breaks.

Hosts Double-Release Double Post

Western Disco
violin (John) and piano (Alex)

So You Think You Can Dance?
feedback (Alex) and hip electronic rhythms (John)

Failed Hosts Release Party (We're Almost as Bad as Ferndale)

Beatin' mothafuckas like Ike beat Tina.

Future Pop Experience

The above image, as well as the title for this album, came to me in a dream. I know not what any of it means, but I felt that it was important to indulge my subconscious in these matters. Though conceptualized and recorded in about a week's time, I feel as though there is something incredibly important about this particular record. I only just realized as I was putting this up on RYM, the significance of it's release date.

On July 17th, 2001 my dear cousin, Charlie Tedesco passed away. He was only three years old. I considered Charlie to be my younger brother, and was crushed at his loss. It was his death that began my obsession with music in the first place. As cliche as it may sound, music provided an escape from the harsh realities of the world. In a way, I owe all this to him. Thus, I dedicate this album to his memory.

When drawing a comparison to previous ToaD recordings, Sons of Sam and In Secret Winter would most likely come to mind. Unlike those single-piece releases, Future Pop Experience is comprised of three tracks: "The Circuit", "Suburban Life 2008", and "July 5th 6:00 AM".

"The Circuit" was created mostly by making contact with quarter-inch cables plugged directly into my multitrack. All of the dynamics on that particular piece are created by simply adjusting the pressure being applied to the cables. It also features a bit of prepared guitar for good measure.

"Suburban Life 2008" is built upon a field recording of my backyard I did sometime last week. You can hear birds chirping, children screaming (playfully of course), me opening and shutting my grill (I was making lunch), etc. I added some sounds with my laptop, and created a drone by bowing my bass guitar. These sounds adjust themselves gradually throught the piece until coming to a disasterous climax near the end. See if you can pick out my makeshift acoustic guitar/snare drum in there as well ;)

...Which brings us to "July 5th 6:00 AM". Can you guess when this was recorded? It is basically an excerpt from an over-long drone piece I made in my garage while the sun was coming up. Simple keyboard/sampler/lawn mower set up. You know, the usual.

Pop Goes The Weasel