Left Behind

I have lived two lifetimes since I last posted this. Want to know more of what that means? Me too.

40th.lowery.sky

40th.lowery.sky, originally uploaded by brian siskind.

Making my way back from the depths.

Fognode – performing live in NYC @ CPR April 17, 2010 @ 7:30p

Fognode – performing live @ CPR April 17, 2010 @ 7:30p, originally uploaded by brian siskind.

FOGNODE – “BEAT HOLLOW”
beat hollow [colloq.]; distance; leave in the -lurch, transcend, surmount; soar (rise)

Brian Siskind a.k.a. Fognode presents a sonic program made of ambient drones, field recordings, and shamanic beat-driven compositions to form an amalgam of sound that amounts to a singular experience toward transcendence. From documented ritual of Bhutan monks in Brooklyn, to the birds in the ruins of Pompeii, and an alternating portrait of rural and urban life from across the US and Europe, the resulting images are a portrait of not only Siskind’s perspective, but the collective auditory experience. Rooted in the dub music ethos, and smeared into the abstract akin to Rothko’s color fields, ambient drones and forward movement bring the listener into the peak experience of ecstatic music and rhythm, based in composition, but more so simply experienced by the composer and listener alike. Beat Hollow is a melange of sound that brings about a cerebrally induced experience, but amidst a canvas made of all things familiar, even minutiae, yet unheard.

TICKETS $20 – STUDENT DISCOUNT AVAILABLE

Brian Eno calls Siskind’s work “original” “It has to me, a seductive quality” “I want to listen to what’s going to happen”

HERE IS THE PROGRAM FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK
Technoshamanism April 12-17, 2010 Curated by Karl Cronin
New Voices in Live Performance
Center for Performance Research
Brooklyn, NY
A week dedicated to extended mind and altered states in contemporary performance.

Events OverviewApril 12-17 (All week)
Cyborg Nation (encounters, performance, installation)
April 14 (Wed)The Art of Transformation (symposium) – Free
April 15 (Thurs)Trancedance workshop, led by Jennifer Hicks, $20
April 16 (Fri) Ode to the Winter Sea (performance), $20
April 17 (Sat)Beat Hollow (transcendent sound performance), $20
$50 Festival pass available

Curatorial Statement – Karl Cronin
Performing artists have long used “technologies” to induce creative states, ex- pand their capabilities, and alter their audience’s perception of reality.This week of discussion, performance, and participatory events will use a broaddefinition of technology to bring to the surface an underlying aesthetic discussionabout incorporating technology into performance.Technoshamanism is a term used for applying modern technology to traditionalshamanic practices. Contemporary performance is not shamanic practice, yet thetwo share some important features. Technoshamanism is a messy term, yet for some reason I’ve enjoyed using it as a placeholder for the messy terrain sur- rounding transformation and art, states of being/consciousness in performance,social sculpture projects that involve the shaping of perception, and a deeper analysis of performance “technologies” and how they can be used effectively inthe alchemy of live performance. The concept of technoshamanism will serve as a jumping off point for discussions between the artists presentingwork throughout the week.

Good Rester – “Dark”

Long form music video / short film for Good Rester.
Music and Film produced & edited by Brian Siskind.

Good Rester is:
Brian Siskind aka Fognode
Karen Y Chan
Andy Alexander

a Beat Hollow production
beathollow.com

“Good Rester – Dark” is an abstract film that uses made and found post-war footage, combined with original score and field recordings, to weave a sensory narrative – across the Tarot and the imminent cycle of life and death.

“Good Rester – Dark” is a poetic abstract film from renowned composer Brian Siskind (a.k.a. Fognode) who has always made very visual music. Ambient music pioneer Brian Eno calls Siskind’s work:

“original”
“It has to me, a seductive quality”
“I want to listen to what’s going to happen”

The film, in three movements, uses found/public domain footage of post-war Germany and New York City, as well as footage shot by Siskind, to take the viewer on a journey through the cycle of life and death. Field Recordings made by Siskind from Rome, Pompeii, London, Nice, Nashville, New York and other locations are characters in the film that guide the narrative. Original music recorded, produced, and performed by Siskind (and collaborators) under the name “Good Rester” provide the only human voice, and is the basis for the progression through the cycle.

This 11 minute black and white abstract and sonically rich film pushes toward renewal – transcendence.

see.it

see.it, originally uploaded by brian siskind.

Long Island City. NYC.

Untitled

I made this video recently from “found” Super 8 footage. The music however is more important to me in this case. I recorded this acoustic piece by the amazing guitarist Shane Theriot (Neville Bros, countless others) in his house in New Orleans not long after Hurricane Katrina. We wanted to do something meaningful but laid back, and we setup in his shotgun hallway which made for an interesting sound. The melancholy mood is of a time that is heavy for me as well. There are so many levels of nostalgia, real and imagined, and I thought it worthy of being released since it never became a full record. Enjoy, and if you listen really close, you can hear his dog barking. We weren’t to be distracted by anything… as it is all just real life.

entusiasmo.y.perseverancia

entusiasmo.y.perseverancia, originally uploaded by brian siskind.

Much to catch up on and accomplish this year. Starting with more photography, more music, and more output in general. I never seem to be satisfied with how much I create and finish. When I look back it looks different.

So in this year 2010, I will just try and look upward, and onward.

I hope to make another Fognode record, another Good Rester record, finish a couple of current projects, as well as master Ableton Live 8, the Roland SP-555 and get out and do some live shows…

In image I just want to make more and better and more engaging work. I think I have learned the thematic happens when I am not trying to think thematically. There is some thread through what is simply reaction.

My educational endeavors will continue, and I am on my way to non-fiction filmmaking. I have already learned enough to know that I will never use Final Cut Pro as it is hands down the worst software I have ever used, and am excited to begin looking to Sony Vegas Professional and all it’s exciting image and sound capabilities. I have done a lot of writing this past year, and I hope to get away from that where I can for a while. I love it, but not so much I must do it all the time.

I am cooking up lots of new and unique opportunities and outlets, and things are starting to open up. My adjustment period moving to New York City has settled and now I feel I can navigate into any situation I want. Now to navigate all these damned choices.

I thank all those I have collaborated with over this past year, and I look forward to really stretching things out this year.

If you like what I do, please spread the word. Every bit helps keep it going. There are also Facebook groups for Brian Siskind Photography, and Fognode. Not sure what they translate to, but groups are fun right?

Oh! and if anyone knows of an excellent photography website, please forward it along or comment here and leave the link. I am going to develop a comprehensive site early this year.

Onward and upward.