Amsterdam 2009, Day 3-6

Me with Dana Jessen and Mike Straus on the roof of their house
(Click on any image to enlarge)

It was very nice to see Dana and Mike, I met them last year at this time, when they were both here as Fulbright Scholars. They came and saw David Borgo and I play at STEIM. Things worked out, they are still here, studying and working away.

It has been a very busy time for me here, contrary to what many of my friends think, I actually did come here to work. I've been writing in the mornings and working in the studio in the afternoons. But I am finding plenty of time to explore and check out this fine city.

Friday I had a great time with the ICP. Mary Oliver invited me to dinner and the shows and I liked it so much, I went again Saturday. Great to see friends that go back ten plus years now. Michael Vatcher showed up both nights and we got lost in a good chess game. Before attending the concert Saturday, I also met my friend and fellow composer Trevor Grahl who is now studying here after completing his Master's at UCSD. Sunday, after writing, I had a nice hang with Jodi Gilbert at the Absinthe store and Michael Moore at his house...and then back to writing. Monday was a blitz day, getting documents and packages that needed to ship immediately, nutty stressful day. Today was a bit more mellow, worked in the studio all day, met with Alex Nowitz and had coffee. Nice time.

Tomorrow will be a wild day, BUT it will be a blast...ends with a trio performance of myself with Michael Moore and Michael Vatcher at STEIM. That should be fun.

More from the roof


From the roof


from the roof


Walking to the Bimhuis


more...


Bimhuis


Dinner with the ICP, that is Susanna and Han.


Michael Moore, Ab Baars, Tobias Delius, Wolter Wierbos, Thomas Heberer


Ernst Glerum, Tristan Honsinger, Mary Oliver, Han Bennink


Misha Mengelberg far left....


Mary Oliver and Han Bennink


Mary and Han


DJ Michael Moore, did a great job as DJ at the post-gig hang at the Bimhuis


Having coffee with Trevor Grahl

Amsterdam 2009, Day 1 and 2

On Herengracht, walking around the corner from the STEIM's guest house to the studios.
(Click any image to enlarge.)

I made it to Amsterdam, quite comfortably, actually. First class is even different in the trains...it was on sale for an extra twenty euro, so I splurged....well worth it for 6.5 hours...

I'm here at STEIM Laboratories for the next three weeks for an artists residency. I'll elaborate more on my project as it develops. The folks here have been awesome, as they were last year. Nico Bes is incredibly helpful, and pleasant as well. Takuro Mizuta Lippit, the artistic director, is currently in France, but has also been quite helpful via email. I'm moved in to a comfortable room in the guest house, my studio is set up. I've been able to meet and hang with interesting people, both visitors (Joe Deebs), some more involved/employed on a regular basis with STEIM (Daniël Schorno, Esther Roschar, Jorgen Brinkman, Frank Baldé, Robert van Heumen) and Fulbright Scholar John Rauss who is here developing software. Joe Deebsand I (I hope I'm spelling his name correctly) went and walked around town, had a Maoz Falafel and an incredible Belgian IPA from La Chouffe at Cafe Gollem last night...but now it is to work. I spent the morning doing a second draft of my Fulbright application, and now I'm off to meet Dana Jessen
and Michael Straus, former Fulbright recipients who said they'd go over it with me...busy day already...

My studio at STEIM, where I will be spending a lot of time the next three weeks...look at that pose....autotimer should've told me to unclasp my hands...(the large wood speaker cabs are non-functioning, but sure to look cool)


What all my photos on the train ride looked like...should have increaded the shutter speed....maybe?

Berlin 2009, Day 19-25: Farewell!

Neukölln
(Click on any image to enlarge)

I've had an unbelievable time here, I hope to return for a longer stay next year. Wrapping up with a final few pics to post before off to chess with Roy and Keith....

Great video installation! Wednesday I went and saw one of the coolest uses of space....an underground labyrinth through the large intestine of an unused public swimming pool...with video installations in every nook and cranny. I went to a party there a few weeks ago, but this was opening night for the installations...

Stadtbad Video Festival


Installation in the pool


More: Pool installation


Stadtbad labyrinth....


Stadtbad Video installation


Another shot


The bowels of the pool


The pub in the bowels


more bowels

Afterwards, caught a train to Die Remise...

Walking to Die Remise, poked my head into a skate park through an opening in the wall


At the Shillingbrücke Terrace, Die Remise's summer concert location
Keith O'Brien, Roy Carroll, Ed

Thursday nights concert at Loophole, with the FANTASTIC clarinetist Anat Cohavi, and equally wonderful accordionist Hannes Lingens and laptopist Roy Carroll. It was nice to have friends Joachim Goßmann and Johnny Chang there.

Recording mics on a chandelier at Loophole...which later came tumbling down, with no injuries....


Loophole stage


Loophole stage


Roy Carroll, Hannes Lingens, Anat Cohavi, Jeff Kaiser at Loophole

Friday, visited Ableton's offices, had a great visit with Yukio King, awesome guy who my friend Trevor Henthorn introduced me to, had an excellent chat about education, art, software, life in Berlin. I was also able to meet Jeremy Bernstein, codemeister for Cycling 74 who was also generous by taking time out of his day to chat with me, a great guy...all these folks are so interesting...!

Ableton offices

Leaving the offices, was once again struck by the sky...

Yet another shot getting on to the train at Rosa Luxemburg


Yet another shot getting on to the train at Rosa Luxemburg

Friday night gig with Keith O'Brien and Roy Carroll was SMOKING. Thanks so much to Roy for setting up all these wonderful musical experiences for me. That night also featured Liz Albee (tpt) and Clayton Thomas (contrabass), who put on a killer set, mesmerizing, beautiful stuff. It was nice to finally meet Liz after crossing paths with her for years, we have so many friends in common.

Phil setting up the recording mics at Salon Bruit, Licht Blick, Kino 77...


Roy's hands, me, Keith O'Brien


Roy Carroll


Keith O'Brien


Soundcheck at Salon Bruit


Soundcheck at Salon Bruit

The next day, chilled out with Chess and Keith at Café Manolo...

Chess at Café Manolo with Keith O'Brien

Early Tuesday morning, off to Amsterdam and STEIM. I will miss Berlin, but am looking forward to STEIM, Amsterdam and getting some work done...

Gigs tonight and tomorrow night...

'Sicilian Kaiser'
Sicilian Dragon with Jeff Kaiser
Jeff Kaiser - 1/4 tone trumpet, electronics
Anat Cohavi - bass clarinet, soprano sax
Hannes Lingens, drums, accordian
Roy Carroll - sampler
Thur 27.08.09, 22:00
Loophole, Boddinstr. 60, 12053 Berlin

'Kaiser Adaptor'
Double Adaptor with Jeff Kaiser
Jeff Kaiser - 1/4 tone trumpet, electronics
Keith O Brien - guitar, computer
Roy Carroll - sampler
Fri 28.08.09 22:00
Salon Bruit, Licht Blick Kino, Kastanien Allee 77

www.jeffkaiser.com
www.myspace.com/anatcohavi
www.myspace.com/hanneslingens
www.myspace.com/royelylyonscarroll
www.myspace.com/doubleadaptor
www.myspace.com/amoebazoid
www.loophole-berlin.com
www.salonbruit.org

Berlin 2009, Day 16-18

With Roy Carroll, post-caffeine in Prenzlauer Berg. I met Roy when we both were playing at the Sparks Festival at UMN, Minneapolis. An awesome musician from Ireland, who has settled down in Berlin.

Mostly studying, or should I say, trying to study for my qualifying exams...but still getting out and about

I'm still in wonder that walking around randomly...you still see this amazing architecture.












satellite dishes everywhere...


Palindrome from a bridge in Kreuzberg


looking the other direction...


Ausland recording session...This session was a true joy. It is awesome to have this time, to do concerts and record with such fine musicians who are also just plain nice people as well.


Roy setting up for trio recording session with...


Hannes Lingens, snare drum


Roy


Hannes


Hydrating post take one...