http://fredoviola.com/blog en fredo@fredoviola.com Copyright 2008 2008-10-08T17:49:01-05:00 http://fredoviola.com/blog/coming_very_very_soon/ http://fredoviola.com/blog/coming_very_very_soon/#When:17:49:01Z Hi there, Well, we’re in the final days of work on the new website, and I’m so excited to share it with everybody.  The folks at Aerstudio have absolutely astounded me with their brilliance and speed.  The site is everything I hoped it would be and then some.  Anyway, yes there has been a few months quiet patch on this site, but it will be made up for, I promise.  When the new site comes there will be new music and at least four new videos.  Plus… well, the site.  It’s fun!  Did I mention that I’m wildly excited to be able to share this site??? Hope to upload a link very soon! - Fredo 2008-10-08T17:49:01-05:00 http://fredoviola.com/blog/gorgeous_tiny_chicken_machine_show/ http://fredoviola.com/blog/gorgeous_tiny_chicken_machine_show/#When:12:14:00Z Hey there, folks Does anyone here know the internet program called Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show? I was contacted a couple months ago by Greg Benson, the show’s director and husband of it’s star and creator, Kiko Evey. Kiko is playing a very enthusiastic, if wonky, Japanese tv talk show host. It’s kind of Peewee Herman’s playhouse meets one of those insane Japanese shows, and I think it’s very funny. Anyway, every week they end their show with a new cover, similar to how the show Weeds begins and asked if I wanted to submit a cover… I used layers of counterpoint voices, dulcitone, hand percussion, some sinewave and finally got a use for this odd little percussive instrument which I don’t know the name of! I’ve included a photograph of it below. The first episode of the second season starts tomorrow, and that’s where they have placed my cover. So go take a peak! Hope you enjoy! You can see it here [UPDATED LINK] 2008-09-18T12:14:00-05:00 http://fredoviola.com/blog/where_have_all_the_clusters_gone/ http://fredoviola.com/blog/where_have_all_the_clusters_gone/#When:15:16:00Z Hi folks, Just wanted to give you an update on what’s going on with my cluster performances… I’m at work on a new batch done in a very particular new way.  Also, I’m working with a team of very talented designers based in Spain (called Aerstudio) on a new site dedicated just to the experience of the images and sounds… This site will still be here, and I will be updating it with news, standard videos, blogs as things progress.  I have a new set of screensavers that I will be releasing here quite soon as well.  But for the time being my focus is on development of the new site and videos.  About the Spanish design team - Aerstudio are amazing.  I am eternally grateful to Steph Thirion for having made the introduction.  And you can see some of their work here! 2008-09-16T15:16:00-05:00 http://fredoviola.com/blog/dream_of_my_father_and_tall_waves/ http://fredoviola.com/blog/dream_of_my_father_and_tall_waves/#When:10:53:00Z I had a dream the other night that has stuck in my psyche.  I was in the ocean with my father.  It was daylight, crisp and clear.  Comfortable.  There was no wind or stormy weather, and yet the waves were intense.  Me and my dad were fighting to stay on the surface.  We kept getting pounded into the water by what looked like 10 to 15 foot waves.  I remember watching as they grew into tall peaks, and then began to tip and fall into a crashing mass on top of us.  My dad was closer to the shore than me.  I was deeper, thus closer to the source of the waves, and I remember watching a massive giant begin to build.  It looked like it could be 20 feet tall already and it had barely reached it’s peak… This one is going to hurt… I figured I had better dive into it’s base before it began to crash.  My plan payed off, I was able to look back and watch it transform into a massive crashing storm from inside out… but I lost my dad. What is it about the ocean?  It’s so scary to me.  So mysterious.  I need to get over my fear of the ocean, I think.  2008-08-14T10:53:00-05:00 http://fredoviola.com/blog/fredo_violas_vimeo_page/ http://fredoviola.com/blog/fredo_violas_vimeo_page/#When:16:11:01Z Just a note… I have started a vimeo page to have high resolution representations of my video work which will be embedable.  So if you are interested in seeing any of these pieces in higher res, or embedding within your facebook/myspace/blog pages… here’s where you can find them.  CLICK ME 2008-07-23T16:11:01-05:00 http://fredoviola.com/blog/the_turn_ghosts_is_up/ http://fredoviola.com/blog/the_turn_ghosts_is_up/#When:10:59:00Z Hi there, folks First of all, for those of you on my mailing list, sorry about sending you three emails.  It was a morning filled with stupid email mistakes!! Anyway, I have finally uploaded The Turn ghost cluster performance and really hope you all enjoy it.  Click me to watch! 2008-07-22T10:59:00-05:00 http://fredoviola.com/blog/my_new_glockenspiel/ http://fredoviola.com/blog/my_new_glockenspiel/#When:00:19:00Z YAYAY!!!  I got my glockenspiel in the mail today!  It’s from the 50s, of Deagan make.  I was directed by a very generous and knowledgeable man by the name of Mike to buy this used instrument, despite it having some rust on a bunch of the bells.  He explained that in the 50s and before that the manufacturers used different kinds of metal that, in his opinion, could not be matched today.  Anyway, I LOVE the rusty bells.  Love the weathered wood, broken case.  This instrument makes me really happy to look at it, and it sounds lovely (although a few of the bells I have to position them specially to get a really clear tone.) Anyway, look forward to hearing and seeing this in some upcoming cluster videos.  2008-07-18T00:19:00-05:00 http://fredoviola.com/blog/coming_soooooooooon/ http://fredoviola.com/blog/coming_soooooooooon/#When:14:52:00Z Hello there folks, OK, so… I know it seems I have missed two months of cluster feedage, but I’m preparing to release the one I made last month in the next five days.  I have been sooooooooooooo busy preparing for the upcoming release!  On top of that, I am working on a second website which… well, it’s going to be quite different, and I’ll be adding a bunch of new videos to that site, so possibly this cluster I will be releasing soon will be the last for a short while.  Anyway, stay tuned for my very first ghost cluster.... love, Fredo 2008-07-17T14:52:00-05:00 http://fredoviola.com/blog/collaboration_with_violist_liuh_wen_ting/ http://fredoviola.com/blog/collaboration_with_violist_liuh_wen_ting/#When:22:30:00Z Hi folks, This has been an extremely busy month for me.  I know I’m due a cluster performance video, and actually I have done two this month, but it may have to wait.  Here’s what I’ve been up to… I’m working with Liuh-Wen Ting. She’s a fantastic violist, and considering her background and skills I feel really honored to be working with her.  We’re collaborating on a cluster of The Turn, and, as I mentioned, I’ve done two relatively successful tests already.  But I don’t want to share until it’s perfect!  The first time I met with her we talked a lot about music.  As some of you may know, I’m a fan of a whole bunch of different styles, classical and modern classical being two of my favorites.  So we spoke a lot about Stravinsky and Bach.  And then Liuh-Wen surprised me with an impromptu performance of Stravinsky’s Elegy.  I was really moved by her performance, and rather in awe of her ability to do this from memory!  Anyway, sorry again for the delay.  Hopefully it will be done soon!  2008-06-22T22:30:00-05:00 http://fredoviola.com/blog/test_of_friendship/ http://fredoviola.com/blog/test_of_friendship/#When:00:50:00Z My fourth cluster performance is now online.  It’s a song called “Friendship Is...” This video is different as one of the voices is actually going through some filters and distortion that cause it to sound like an instrument when I sing through the mic.  Watch for it, it’s voice five all the way on the right.  Hope you enjoy! CLICK ME to watch Test of Friendship! 2008-05-19T00:50:00-05:00