Pre-order on black and clear vinyl at IMPREC, and digital at BandCamp.
"Wonderful to hear such beautiful, billowing sound clouds emanating from the legendary Touché." - David Rosenboom
Shasta Cults is the musical project of Canadian electronics technician Richard Smith. For almost two decades, Smith was the official Buchla & Associates repair tech for studios, collectors, and musicians around the world. Having worked for artists such as Aphex Twin, Suzanne Ciani, Morton Subotnick and institutions such as The Library of Congress and Mills College, Smith has had the unique experience of restoring and interacting with nearly every model of Buchla instrument constructed over the past 50 years.
Recorded over the span of three months in the fall of 2018, this album was programmed using the only fully functional Buchla Touché. Developed in the early 1980s with hardware by Donald Buchla and software programmed by musician David Rosenboom, the Touché features waveforms generated internally by twenty-four digital oscillators and uses frequency modulation along with sophisticated digital and analog signal processing to produce complex timbres.
This LP is a continuation of themes first heard on Configurations, with more consideration given to the generation and recording of the pieces. The album's six tracks – a collection of sonic experiments and hypnotic drones – span almost forty minutes, showcasing not only the incredible fidelity of the Touché but also Smith's evolution as an audio engineer.
Put on some headphones, find a comfortable chair, and let this LP transport you to the mystifying southern cascades of Siskiyou County.
RIYL: ELEH, Sarah Davachi
released November 13, 2019
Programmed, recorded and mastered by Shasta Cults - Fall 2018
Artwork by IMPREC
"In 1980 Suzanne Ciani did a segment on 3-2-1 Contact where she demos a Buchla 200 series. Check out the great video, which inspired this new patch for TC-11 2.0"
Suzanna Ciani on 3-2-1 Contact
Published on Dec 23, 2006 Magnetic Ring
"Suzanna Ciani on 3-2-1 Contact
Demonstrating Sound Synthesis."
Some serious synth action in this. Curious what was used. The year was supposedly 1979.
Update: CR Wallace in the comments suggested this might be from Suzanne Ciani who was doing commercials for Coke at the time. That would make sense; from this happy birthday post: "In 1974 she formed her own company, Ciani/Musica, and, using a Buchla Analog Modular Synthesizer, composed scores for television commercials for corporations such as Coca-Cola, Merrill Lynch, AT&T and General Electric."
via boomkat, where you can order the release in the UK. It is also available on Amazon here.
"After completing an MA in music composition, Ciani was introduced to synth designer Don Buchla, whose Buchla 200 synthesizer would come to define much of her work for the next two decades. She counted the likes of synth maverick Vangelis and electronic music pioneer Harold Bode among her close friends and would set up Ciani Musica Inc. to publish her commercial endeavours for companies such as Coca Cola and Atari, while constantly working at the cutting edge of advances in electronic music and amassing an expansive vault of underexposed music which has remained untouched for over 30 years… until now..."
The release includes a booklet with intro by Andy Votel and track notes by Suzanne Ciani.
This one sent in via Tony Saunders. Title link takes you to the Early Suzanne Ciani webpage with video clips including Buchla. Make sure to track back to the root of the site for more on Suzanne Ciani and don't miss this page on Buchla. Thanks Tony!
Update: John Simmons was checking out the site and found this gem. It's a video of Suzanne Ciani creating the sound for the pinball game Xenon. Note the Xenon was released in 1979 according to this site. You can see the NED Synclavier used to sample the sounds in the video and then the guy inserting the chips with the samples in the pinball machine. Pretty cool. Thanks John!
"So this is the first Mycelium Symposium, an online event dedicated to modular and virtual modular. Here is a rough timetable of the performances, workshops, and presentations :
This is all in the CET time zone (GMT+1) 18.00 - Performance, Giovanni Gramegna (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcTH...) 18.16 - Performance, Stellar 53 - Journey to Saturn (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdk2...) 18.28 - Presentation, VCV Rack Ideas - Ambient Techno Patch in VCV Rack (https://www.youtube.com/vcvrackideas) 18.40 - Performance, Zen Wires - Welcoming Spring (https://modularzen.com/) 18.56 - Break 19.06 - Performance, Pyer - right on time (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC74_...) 19.20 - Performance, Rheyne - Unsettled Evocation (https://www.youtube.com/user/RheyneMusic) 19.36 - Presentation, Jakub Ciupinski - VCV Rack Hacks (http://www.jakubciupinski.com/) 19.47 - Performance, Synthikat - Zen Garden (https://www.youtube.com/synthikat) 19.59 - Workshop, Pyer - Suzanne Ciani’s Buchla Cookbook in VCV Rack (https://www.pyer.be/ciani.html) 20.15 - Break 20.25 - Workshop, Instruō - Patching the Cš-L in VCV Rack (https://www.instruomodular.com/) 21.06 - Performance, Deev Bennes - Sublingual (https://www.youtube.com/user/deevje) 21.23 - Break 21.33 - Workshop, Sarah Belle Reid - Acoustic Instruments and VCV Rack (https://www.patreon.com/sarahbellereid / https://www.soundandsynthesis.com/) 21.49 - Performance, Martin Lueders - La-vie (https://www.youtube.com/user/mlu2006) 22.07 - Presentation, Hora Music - Deep and Bicephalous (https://www.hora-music.be/) 22.15 - Performance, BrokenSines - Californium (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjec...) 22.37 - Presentation - Midilar (https://midilar-controller.webnode.sk/) 22.52 - Break 23.02 - Workshop, The Klirrfaktor - Why and How to code your first VCV Rack module (http://klirrfactory.com/) 23.51 - Performance, Omri Cohen - Rain keeps falling"
Animoog Z | Suzanne Ciani | Currents video upload by
"Electronic music pioneer and modular synthesis icon Suzanne Ciani invites you inside her seaside home studio for a dynamic improvised composition that demonstrates the unique sonic character of Animoog Z integrated with her Buchla modular system.
In the hands of one of Animoog’s earliest adopters, “Currents” presents a captivating representation of the evolved app’s striking new visual and auditory features, incorporating imported and enhanced presets from the original Animoog. An “unexpectedly powerfully expressive tool” for live performance, according to Ciani, Animoog has been a staple of the five-time Grammy award-nominated composer’s musical repertoire for years.
Released in 2011, the original Animoog changed the face of iOS music production with its innovative approach to dimensional sound design and uniquely interactive touch surface interface. A full decade later, we have completely redesigned the instrument with more powerful functionality and creative workflows for the next generation of producers and sound designers.
Animoog Z is an inspiring 16-voice polyphonic synthesizer that invites users to explore new concepts of multidimensional sound and performance. The instrument is powered by an innovative Anisotropic Synth Engine (ASE), which utilizes an orbit system to expand the concepts of wavetable and vector synthesis. This unique synthesis concept allows for dynamic navigation through the app’s X, Y, and Z axes for evolving and layered sound.
Free for all iOS and macOS users to download and immediately explore, Animoog Z also offers an upgrade option that unlocks the full sonic potential of the synthesizer.
"Waveshaper TV interviewed Suzanne Ciani outside of San Francisco, just days ahead of her performance at the Don Buchla Memorial Concerts in April 2017. The interview. is supplemented with live footage filmed in Toronto at the Revue Cinema, following a screening of the Suzanne Ciani documentary, A Life In Waves."
Line-up /
Morton Subotnick
Alessandro Cortini
Suzanne Ciani
Richard Devine
David Rosenboom
Bob Ostertag
George Lewis
Joel Davel
Laetitia Sonomi plays Elaine Radigue
Ami Radunskaya
Marielle V Jakobsons
Peter Blasser
Ezra Buchla
Yasi
More TBA..
A two night festival in celebration and remembrance of electronic music and design pioneer Don Buchla Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23rd.
Full programming and lineup announced soon..
Advance tickets: $45 Weekend Pass (Available Now!), $25 Presale per night, $30 door, $15 Student per night honored with ID.
Presented by:
Recombinant Media Labs
Buchla & Associates
Gray Area
Obscura Digital
Just got this so apologies for the short notice, but if you are in New York, check this out. Title link takes you to more info. I have idea what she might bring, but she was a pretty big Buchla fan. : )
"An Evening with Suzanne Ciani Tuesday, November 7, 2006 8:00PM
Guest flautist Matt Eakle will accompany 5-time Grammy nominee Suzanne Ciani in a program of her own compositions."
Update: I should note that there is Buchla in this video, a Music Easel, and a particularly amazing example of the original 200 being played in a more traditional role. It sounds similar to the classic Vangelis CS80 brass pad. I think Ciani's got a bigger toy than Vangelis. : )
Title link takes you to a video episode featuring Suzanne Ciani on 3-2-1 Contact. Funny, I remember watching the show when I was a kid. Not sure if I saw the episode with Ciani though.
"The Children's Television Workshop produced an interesting science education show called 3-2-1 Contact that was aired in many PBS markets from 1980 to 1992.
One of the main characters visited Suzanne’s small studio for an interesting observation of sounds. This presentation was shown before another musical guest, Dizzy Gillespie (shown for a brief second) began performing on his trumpet.
Amazingly, Suzanne’s name doesn’t appear on the list of guest stars on tv.com’s website. We are assuming that this video appeared in January 1980 during the show’s first season. Hopefully, this video may stir some discussions among the fans of 3-2-1 Contact.."
Moogfest 2016 Talent Announcement with Reggie Watts
Published on Dec 8, 2015 Moogfest
"Headlining performances include Gary Numan playing a three night residency of his trailblazing early albums, a two-night residency by GZA, ODESZA, Laurie Anderson, Oneohtrix Point Never, Suzanne Ciani, Blood Orange, and Sun Ra Arkestra; with keynote presentations by transhumanist activist and pharma tycoon Dr. Martine Rothblatt, and computer scientist Jaron Lanier, a pioneer in the field of virtual reality.
More than one hundred other acts are already confirmed to perform, while the conference program continues to develop in partnership with a range of esteemed universities, innovative businesses, and art/technology organizations. Program partners include MIT Media Lab, Google, Duke University, Georgia Institute of Technology, The New Museum’s New Inc., IDEO, Gray Area, and the EyeO Festival.
For the first time ever, Moogfest will take place in Durham, NC. Moogfest activates seventeen venues, throughout the walkable downtown core, from intimate galleries to grand theatres, including a free outdoor stage with participatory, all-ages programming. Durham promises to be an ideal setting for Moogfest: a city uniquely blending diversity, authenticity, world class innovation, and culture, with a long history of great music.
Program highlights:
Pioneers in Electronic Music
Electronic music pioneer Gary Numan will perform his first three albums (Replicas, The Pleasure Principle, and Telekon) over three consecutive nights in three different venues. Musical experimentalist Laurie Anderson weaves stories and song in her solo performance, “The Language of the Future” and then returns to the stage the next day to hosts a daytime conversation.
Future Pop
Headlining talent also charts a zig-zagging course across today’s synthesizer infused pop landscape, from the vibrant electronic duo ODESZA, to the future soul of Blood Orange (playing in North Carolina for the first time), a return of utopian rockers YACHT, and even the comic stylings of Reggie Watts.
Experimentalists
Immersive noise and minimalist sonic-scapes from some of today’s most progressive experimental artists, including sunn O))), Ben Frost, Tim Hecker, Silver Apples, Oneohtrix Point Never, Quintron & Miss Pussycat, Olivia Block, Alessandro Cortini, and Lotic.
Ambient Music Innovators
A rich program of sustained tones and cascading moods led by Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno’s prolific Grammy winning protege, Suzanne Ciani, and the UK’s originators of ambient house The Orb.
Hip-Hop
GZA leads Moogfest’s strongest ever hip-hop and rap lineup, supported by a roster of emerging talent including Lunice, Tory Lanez, Denzel Curry, Dr. Dre protege King Mez, and Well$.
The Future of Creativity
Futurist philosophers set the tone for a mind-expanding conference. Keynotes by Dr. Martine Rothblatt, author, entrepreneur, transhumanist, inventor of satellite radio, and Jaron Lanier, a computer scientist and composer who has pioneered the field of virtual reality. Other visionaries include sound explorer Onyx Ashanti and his 'exo-voice' sonic prosthesis, Tod Machover from MIT Media LAB presenting his work in HyperInstruments, and Gil Weinberg and The Robotic Musicianship Group at Georgia Tech performing with Shimon, an improvising robotic marimba player that uses artificial intelligence.
Orchestral Ensembles
The intergalactic voyagers of Sun Ra Arkestra channel the cosmic philosopher himself. Arthur Russell’s Instrumentals ensemble, making their US debut. Floating Points’ live project veers fluidly from warm electronic to jazz to sonic space rhythms.
The playlist currently starts with Kyle and Robert recreating a patch from Suzanne Ciani's "Buchla Concerts 1975" on the Buchla-format Multiple Arbitrary Function Generator Model 248, aka "the MARF".
YouTube via SuzanneCiani. NED Synclavier. Note the Buchla in the background.
You might remember this video from this prior post on Suzanne Ciani.
"This video was filmed by Julio Cintron as a documentary about the GE "2800 Dishwasher" at my small studio in 1984."
The following video, just posted by SuzanneCiani, is the finished commercial from 1984.
GE Beeping Dishwasher
"Here is the finished product after spending a lot of time in my production studio putting it together. All that beeping won me a Clio (Awards for Excellence in Advertising) in 1984."
And a few more just posted by SuzanneCiani on YouTube:
Black and Decker Cutter
"How many times have you seen this commercial when you were young?"
Columbia Pictures Introduction Logo
"Now you know where the music came from (me). :-)"
Bull in the China Shop
"This is my award-winning commerical. Amazingly, nothing fell (that's no bull)."
I remember all of these.
BTW, be sure to click here and scroll for some great posts on Suzanne Ciani including more video.
YouTube via crystalsculpture2. I remember playing this pinball machine, little did I know I was listening to Suzanne Ciani and a Buchla amongst other vintage synths. Crazy. Now I want one. :) "Suzanne Ciani working on the music and sounds for the Xenon pinball game from the Omni televsion show. hypnotic in places"
Source of Uncertainty is a collaborative initiative of Harvestworks and ((audience)) to celebrate the Buchla200e and DIY modular synthesis. Source of Uncertainty will center around two concerts, on June 28th and July 7th, produced in association with River-to-River Festival. Related events (TBC) will also take place in the weeks leading up to the concert."
Some additional info via +odd:
"Source of Uncertainty celebrates the Buchla 200e and DIY modular synthesis. Centering around two free New York City concerts, on June 28th and July 7th, the series is a collaborative initiative of New York-based curatorial organizations, Harvestworks and ((audience)), and takes place as part of the River to River festival. The first event will feature a modular synth fair and we will be interviewing Buchla musicians for a program on Art on Air. See bios, exhibitors, links below.
Thurs June 28th // South Street Seaport // 210 Front Street NYC
Control Voltage Faire 3-8pm
Buchla Recital ft Alessandro Cortini, Carlos Giffoni, Mark Verbos 8-10
Late concert ft Xeno & Oaklander and Loud Objects
Sat July 7 // Schimmel Arts Center // 3 Spruce Street NYC
Richard Lainhart tape piece
Morton Subotnick premiers "Energy Shapes"
"A Life in Waves is a feature-length documentary film that explores the life and innovations of electronic music pioneer, Suzanne Ciani.
If you watched television, went to the movies, or listened to the radio in the 80s and 90s, you've probably heard Suzanne Ciani's work, whether you knew it or not. Suzanne is a five-time Grammy award nominated composer, electronic music pioneer, and neo-classical recording artist whose work has been featured in countless commercials, video games, and feature films. A self-taught pianist with classical music training from The Longy School of Music and Wellesley College, Suzanne discovered electronic music in the late 60s and quickly became immersed in the male-dominated worlds of sound synthesis and computer music. Differentiating herself from contemporaries like Brian Eno, Giorigio Moroder, and Klaus Schulze, Suzanne created sensual, feminine sounds that pulsed and flowed, with textures more akin to ocean waves than to the dark atmosphere common in early electronic music. With her instrument of choice, the Buchla modular synthesizer, Suzanne revolutionized the advertising industry, and her sounds were featured in spots for General Electric, ABC, and AT&T, amongst many others. Perhaps her most famous piece, the Coca-Cola "Pop n' Pour" sound effect, was featured in hundreds of Coca-Cola commercials throughout the 70s and 80s. In the 90s, Suzanne transitioned from synthesizers back to the piano and formed her own record label, Seventh Wave. Over the course of her 30+ year career, she's released 15 solo albums, including "Seven Waves," "The Velocity of Love," "Turning," the Grammy Award nominated "Neverland," and most recently, the electronic retrospective, "Lixiviation." She's been recognized as Keyboard Magazine's "New Age Keyboardist of the Year," provided the voice and sounds for Bally's groundbreaking "Xenon" pinball machine, played concerts all over the globe, and carved out a niche as one of the most creatively successful female composers in the world..."
click here for an archive of Suzanne Ciani including articles and images.
From the site: "Welcome to the 'Smithsonian' of articles and pictures of the early technical achievements of Suzanne Ciani. Her webmaster began collecting and posting these articles electronically in 2001. Go ahead and explore three decades (or more) of magazine articles, videos, and early photos of the 'Diva of the Diode.'"
Pictured: "Suzanne's family portrait. ARP String Ensemble, ARP Pro-Soloist, and Buchla Modular Synthesizer."
