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Tony Conrad live at Cobb Hall (1/23/2011), part I
‘Tony Conrad is the quintessential cult figure; resident outsider; rebel angel; Tony Conrad’s got the kind of immaculate credibility that can’t be bought and can’t be sold — and how else, otherwise, could he have persevered? Rumbling under the cultural radar since the Kennedy Era, Conrad is at once first cause and last laugh, a covert operative who can stand as a primary influence over succeeding generations. At the core of Conrad’s legend is his work as a violinist, in which primal, enveloping drones create an oscillating ritual theater. In 1962 he co-founded the groundbreaking ensemble known as the Dream Syndicate. Wielding a drone both aggressively confrontational and subtly mesmerizing, he and his collaborators — including La Monte Young and future Velvet Underground co-founders John Cale and Angus MacLise — created some of the most revolutionary music of that — or any — decade. Utilizing long durations, precise pitch and blistering volume, Conrad and co. forged a “Dream Music” that articulated the Big Bang of “minimalism.” However, the many rehearsal and performance tapes from this period were repressed by Young, becoming the stuff of legend.’ — MOCAD
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Tony Conrad & Faust From the Side of the Machine
‘Recorded over a span of three days in 1973, Outside the Dream Syndicate was Tony Conrad’s first official release; though also credited to the celebrated Krautrock band Faust, it’s primarily a showcase for Conrad’s minimalist drone explorations, an aesthetic fascinatingly at odds with the noisy, fragmented sound of his collaborators. Consisting of three epic tracks, each topping out in excess of 20 minutes, the album is hypnotically contemplative; the music shifts in subtle — almost subliminal — fashion, and the deeper one listens, the more rewarding it becomes.’ — pelodelperro
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Tony Conrad & Keiji Haino live
‘Recorded live at Super Deluxe, Roppongi on the 17th of September, 2008. This is an excerpt from the shorter first piece performed (around 47 minutes). Tony Conrad (treated and amplified violin), Keiji Haino (treated and amplified hurdy gurdy).’ — santasprees
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Tony Conrad & Gastr Del Sol Ten Years Alive on the Infinite Plain
‘9:36pm: Conrad is joined onstage by David Grubbs and Jim O’Rourke of Gastr del Sol, as well as frequent collaborator Alex Gelencser. She’s holding an instrument that looks like a cello, but all neck, with no body and only two strings. Grubbs sits at a long, horizontal, one-stringed instrument. O’Rourke is on electric bass, and Conrad has his violin. In the back of the club, a battery of film projectors is lined up on a pool table and pointed at the white screens behind the performers. 9:45pm: The performance begins with a violin drone from Conrad, punctuated by a slight glitch whenever his bow reverses direction. O’Rourke starts to add resounding bass notes, first irregularly, later settling into a steady pulse. The piece is “Ten Years Alive on the Infinite Plain,” composed in the early seventies. 9:48pm: Two projectors are running now, projecting vertical black and white stripes on the screens behind the performers. The flashing stripes invert motionlessly, but the eye sees them moving now to the left, now to the right. 9:55pm: Four projectors are running now, all projecting the same loop of marching stripes. Grubbs strikes the lone string on his instrument with a metal rod, making a grainy twang with a distorted attack. He slides the rod along the string, making downward glissandos. The fifth projector starts. The five projected images span the width of the stage and spill out onto the adjacent walls. The stripes play across the performers’ faces and instruments. 10:02pm: Conrad is playing more freely now, adding and subtracting pitches from the drone by altering the angle of his bow. The booming bass notes and downward glissandos pull the music down while Conrad’s violin leaps upward. Gelenscer’s metronomic bowing on the cello-like instrument occupies the center, unmoving. 10:05pm: Suddenly I notice the edges of the five films have started to overlap. They must have been gradually moving closer together for some time now. 10:30pm: The overlap between the films is substantial now. Illusory interference patterns appear, tinged with faint phantom colors: green, orange, yellow. Conrad sways back and forth as he plays, sometimes grimacing with concern, sometimes positively beaming, his mouth open as if frozen in mid-laugh. O’Rourke lies on his back, bass resting on his crossed leg. The glissandos reverse direction. 11:08pm: The films finally merge into a single vibrating, flickering mass. Then, one by one, they shut off. 11:15pm: When the last film shuts off the music abruptly stops and the echoes of the last bass note fade to silence.’ — Seth Tisue
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Tony Conrad The Flicker (Excerpt)
‘A 1966 film by Tony Conrad consisting of only alternating black-and-white film images. During the projection, light and dark sequences alternate to changing rhythms and produce stroboscopic and flickering effects; and while viewing these, they cause optic impressions which simulate colors and forms. In the process, the film also stimulates physiological in place of psychological impressions, by not addressing the senses as such, but rather triggering direct neural reactions. Tony Conrad, who has devoted himself to an intensive study of the physiology of the nervous system, created with The Flicker an icon of the structural film, which succeeds without a narrative or reproducible imagery. Since the seen is not captured through the eyes, but rather first produced in the brain.’ — medienkunstnetz.de
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Angus Maclise & Tony Conrad Druid’s Leafy Nest
‘Previously-unheard recordings of Angus MacLise and Tony Conrad from the MacLise tape archives. In a silkscreened sleeve. First edition of 500 (purple cover) – ALMOST SOLD OUT. Side A: Untitled (recorded October 18 1968 at Tony Conrad’s apartment) 15’27”. Side B: Short Drum and Viola part 1 & 2 (ca. 1969) 4’49”. Druid’s Leafy Nest (undated) 7’26”. Early Jams (undated) 6’46”.’ — Boo-Hooray
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Tony Conrad & C. Spencer Yeh & Michael F. Duch Musculus Trapezius
‘An epic performance captured pristine, unfurling its massive limbs patiently and cannily over the course of seventy-plus minutes. TONY CONRAD mingles among trusted wood-and-steel sidekicks, engaged in both age-old conversations and inspired new inquisitions; C. SPENCER YEH bookends his passive/aggressive behavior on violin with spare piano incantations; MICHAEL F. DUCHS acts as a ghostly anchor, casting formidable binding and deft velocity. Drones flow freely, but these reliable horizons fracture into surprising detours, tearing apart the instruments, the players involved, and the expectations of the music itself.’ — The Omega Order
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Tony Conrad Live at Cafe OTO, Wednesday 26 October 2011
‘The first law of music mythology states: every music scene throws up at least one disenchant who makes a case that their original contribution to whatever made their scene something special has been overlooked. If true, then Tony Conrad has more reason to feel aggrieved than most. But it’s worth taking a view on Conrad because the concept of allying repetitive structure to tuning was a flash of genius. Who actually brought just intonation to the Theatre of Eternal Music table first has been lost to history. Perhaps there was synchronous thinking going on between Young and Conrad, but using a tuning system richer in natural overtones, and less clean-cut in its ability to switch between keys than equal temperament, cut a round peg for a round hole. New structures opened up; tuning and structure went places Reich and Glass could only dream about. In 1997 Conrad released a box set of period recordings, Early Minimalism Volume One, in an attempt to put the record straight; his 1995 disc Slapping Pythagoras turned out to be a thinly-veiled polemic against La Monte Young. Few people who wage tuning wars emerge unscathed. At Café Oto, Conrad will generate ‘incredible psychoactive tonal colours’; drones and just intonation; a direct link back to the hidden history of minimalism.’ — Philip Clark
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Hangedup & Tony Conrad Principles
‘Hangedup is the Montreal-based duo of Gen Heistek (viola) and Eric Craven (drums). The two met in 1995 while playing in Sackville and formed Hangedup in 1999. They released their eponymous debut in May 2001. Kicker in Tow followed in October 2002 and Clatter for Control in April 2005. Hangedup are unique operators of their chosen instruments, and have mastered a signature sound that is well ahead, and far behind, the times. Heistek’s vertigo-inducing viola runs through hallucinating loopers and warranty-voided amplifiers. Craven’s inimitable sound fuses auto shop discards with home-wiring experiments and fifteen-year-old drum skins. Sometimes soaring, occasionally distressing, Hangedup are the sound of tomorrow, only tomorrow was this morning, just before you left the house. And you left the stove on. Their friendship and collaboration with legendary violin minimalist Tony Conrad led to a series of recording sessions in 2004. These recordings finally saw the light of day as Transit of Venus, released in June 2012 as part of the Constellation label’s Musique Fragile Volume 02 box set.’ — Constellation
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Tony Conrad & Faust The Pyre of Angus Was in Kathmandu
‘Here’s what we know: in October 1972, at a hippie commune in Wümme in southwestern Hamburg, a German art-rock collective bred on the stringent drone and skag-pop of the Velvet Underground hooked up with the young composer who gave that band its name– or rather, who handed Lou Reed the sadomasochism exposé whence the band derived its name. Tony Conrad and the members of Faust collaborated for three days on an album that would be released the following year in England and would tank immediately thereafter. The musicians did not communicate or collaborate throughout the following two decades. Minimalism is unquestionably the wrong word; I prefer asceticism. Anyone familiar with the Zappa-like hysteria of Faust’s first album or the searing kosmische of IV must imagine the sheer force of self-denial at work in implementing Conrad’s vision: to have a deep base note tuned to the tonic on Conrad’s violin and to have the drummer “tuned” to a rhythm that corresponded to the vibrations. Minimal in design, I suppose, but catastrophically huge in execution.’ — Brent S. Sirota
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Tony Conrad April 1965
‘In 1962 Tony Conrad’s amplified strings introduced the sustained drone of just-intonation into what came to be known as “minimal” music. Utilizing long durations and precise pitch, he and his collaborators forged an aggressively mesmerizing “Dream Music”—denying the activity of composition, elaborating shared ideas of performance, and articulating the Big Bang of “minimalism.” However, the many rehearsal and performance recordings from this period were repressed, inaccessibly buried. In 1987 Tony Conrad set out on a ten-year return expedition to the site of these entombed fragments to unearth the losses; from them he reconstituted and regenerated the epic Early Minimalism. Reaching back through time, Tony Conrad weaves a mobile narrative over and under minimalism: making music out of history, and history out of music.’ — Table of Elements
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Tony Conrad, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge & Edley ODowd Demilitarized Ozone
‘Recorded live February 19, 2011 at the Hebbel am Ufer 2 (HAU2) in Berlin, Germany. The concert was in conjunction with Arsenal’s premiere of Marie Losier’s film “The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye” for the 2011 Berlinale. The sound in this recording is owned and published by Tony Conrad, Genesis P-Orridge and Edward O’Dowd. Limited to 230 copies (in recycled vinyl and in several different colors). Cover has a patch attached to plain brown jacket. Included an 8” x 8” black and white booklet and 2 postcard sized replicas of the original concert poster.’ — discogs
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Tony Conrad live at Tate Modern
‘Tony Conrad is a pivotal figure in contemporary culture. His multi-faceted contributions since the 1960s have influenced and redefined music, filmmaking, minimalism, performance, video and conceptual art. Known for his groundbreaking film The Flicker, his involvement in the Theatre of Eternal Music and the evolution of the Velvet Underground, and collaborations with a host of luminaries including Jack Smith, John Cale, Mike Kelley and Henry Flynt, Conrad remains a radical figure who challenges our understanding of art history. This special weekend at Tate Modern will feature a major new performance for the Turbine Hall and screenings of Conrad’s extraordinary film and video work.’ — Tate Modern
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Tony Conrad & Yasunao Tone live at ISSUE Project Room
‘Polymath Tony Conrad is known by many names: composer, filmmaker, video artist, media activist, writer, and educator. Associated with the founding of minimal music and underground film, he is well known for his pivotal role in the formation of the Velvet Underground and The Dream Syndicate, as well as his 1966 film masterwork The Flicker. He performs and exhibits widely internationally, the present decade has seen a series of releases and exhibitions confirming his indefatigable creative legacy. Conrad is a founding member of the ISSUE Project Room Board. Yasunao Tone was one of the first Japanese artists active in composing “events” and improvisational music. Active in the Fluxus movement since 1962, he has been an organizer and participant in many important performance groups including Group Ongaku, Hi-Red Center, and Team Random. Tone has worked in many media, creating pieces for electronics, computer systems, film, radio and television, and environmental art.’ — ISSUE Project
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Tony Conrad Slapping Pythagoras
‘Violinist and theoretician Tony Conrad was one of the leading lights of the minimalist school revolving around LaMonte Young in the early ’60s, but had not released a studio album for 23 years prior to Slapping Pythagoras, the odd title apparently deriving from the multitude of issues Conrad has with the Pythagorean method, detailed in painstaking fashion in his liner notes. True to his career-long approach, the two lengthy pieces herein are centered on the drone and the sonic richness to be found there. His microtonal approach will be perceived as abrasive (even aggressively so) by many listeners, but those who allow themselves to succumb will discover a fascinating, multi-layered sound world in which can be heard many of the ideas underlying the work of bands from the Velvet Underground to Sonic Youth. Indeed, occasional Sonic Youth producer/collaborator Jim O’Rourke is on hand for this session, as is a roster made up of the cream of the late-’90s Chicago experimental music scene. This is deep minimalism with a sharp and acidic bite, and will provide many rewards for the intrepid listener.’ — allmusic
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John Cale, Jack Smith, & Tony Conrad Silent Shadows On Cinematic Island
‘Stainless Gamelan is an album by John Cale, better known for his work as the violist and founding member of the Velvet Underground. It is the fourth and final album in a loose anthology released by the independent label Table of the Elements. It follows Sun Blindness Music, Day Of Niagara and Dream Interpretation. Stainless Gamelan, along with the other albums in the trilogy, involves Cale during his tenure with the minimalist group Theatre of Eternal Music. His collaborators on the album include fellow VU member Sterling Morrison, filmmaker Jack Smith, and composer/filmmaker Tony Conrad who is credited as playing ‘thunder machine’.’ — collaged
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Angus Maclise & Tony Conrad Trance 2
‘A second LP of previously-unheard recordings of Angus MacLise and Tony Conrad from the MacLise tape archives. In a silkscreened sleeve. Released in an edition of 500, to accompany the DREAMWEAPON, The Art and Life of Angus MacLise 1938-1979 exhibition, May 2011. SMRGS-2 appears on the LP jacket. BH-002 is the matrix etching on the vinyl itself.’ — discogs
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The Theatre of Eternal Music B flat dorian blues 19 x 63
‘The Theatre of Eternal Music, sometimes later known as The Dream Syndicate, was a mid-1960s musical group formed by La Monte Young, that focused on experimental drone music. It featured the performances of La Monte Young, John Cale, Angus MacLise, Terry Jennings, Marian Zazeela, Tony Conrad, Billy Name, Jon Hassell, Alex Dea and others. The group is stylistically tied to the Neo-Dada aesthetics of Fluxus and the post-John Cage noise music continuum. The Theatre of Eternal Music gave performances on the East Coast of the United States as well as in Western Europe that consisted of long periods of sensory inundation with combinations of harmonic relationships, which moved slowly from one to the next by means of “laws” laid out by La Monte Young regarding “allowable” sequences and simultaneities.’ — collaged
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Tony Conrad live @ Supersonic 2011
‘TONY CONRAD is a giant in the American soundscape. Since the early 1960s, he has utilized intense amplification, long duration and precise pitch to forge an aggressively mesmerizing “Dream Music. “Conrad articulated the Big Bang of “minimalism” and played a pivotal role in the formation of the Velvet Underground. Conrad continues to exert a primal influence over succeeding generations with his ecstatic oscillations and hypnotic drones. “Tony Conrad is a pioneer, as seminal in his way to American music as Johnny Cash or Captain Beefheart or Ornette Coleman, one of those really savvy old guys whom all the kids want to emulate because their ideas, their style are electric and new and somehow indivisible.” — Atlanta Journal-Constitution.’ — Supersonic
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p.s. Hey. ** Bill, Hey, B. Thanks, yeah, it was a vital era. I used to like Johanna Went’s records, huh, I should re-try them. I went to some sort of island in Hing Kong where you took a very long, scenic aerial tramway to get there. I think there was some kind of supposed ancient township on it that turned out to be more like a Chinese version of Main Street in Disneyland. I love ‘Berberian Sound Studio’ too. Yeah, very curious to hear your report. Thanks, pal. ** David Ehrenstein, Very glad it amused you. ** TellMeWhyIDontLikeKeatons, I’d tell you if I could, but I can’t imagine your dislike. Listen, dude, cinema spaces only make written fiction prettier and more sink hole-like. No fear. I saw The Offspring live once. I took my nephew to his first concert, and he chose The Offspring. He’d probably blush at my saying that because he’s into trippy dub now, or was. Things in Paris are good but a bit squashed under work that keeps me tethered to my laptop. But still. Florida is holding its own, I’m guessing? ** Robert Siek, No, thank you. I loved your work there, and the issue overall was quite good and an excellent escape hatch. Yeah, it’s been a long ass while, that’s for sure. Hm, let me see if I can track down the blog’s exact start date. Hold on. Oh, shit, I can’t because the first years’ data is still on a hard drive at Zac’s house. I think it was 2004, believe it or not, but don’t hold me to that until I’ve checked the archives. I’m pretty sure that John W. is finished with making films. I guess if someone threw big money at him, he probably would make another one, but since the problem is that no one is throwing sufficient money at him, I think his director days are history, sadly. If my day ahead is kick-ass, it will shock me, but who knows, and I hope yours gives its own ass a good whooping. ** _Black_Acrylic, Awesome you dig the Martin Arnold stuff. Me, duh, too. ** Kyler, You’ve made it through the Malle. Unfortunately there’s really not a compliment in the rating problem. It’s just a manifestation of inattentiveness and fear, and it won’t do our film any damned good whatsoever. But thanks. I didn’t like the ‘Zazie’ film so much either. The book is so, so much more wonderful. Cool about your reading. Nah, I won’t be there, sadly. When and where? ** Misanthrope, Happy that it hit your ‘like’ button, or you hit its, I guess? One shouldn’t start a metaphor if one doesn’t know where its exit is. Nice that you’re reading books from the ‘hood. ** Corey Heiferman, Very happy to have made the introduction. I think so re: the soundtracks. Probably with some fussing. It’s a huge drag that people with too much fear have a profession available that’s not only suited to reinforcing that fear but that encourages them to foist it officially on others. But such is life. ** Okay. I was thinking about and listening to Tony Conrad the other day, and I thought I would restore an old-ish defunct gig I had built around him. See you tomorrow.
Now available in North America 
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Dennis,
Tony Conrad eh? I don’t know him, but I know many of the mentioned collaborators so I will. definitely check him out. LA performance post was cool. Gomez Peña is actually now married to a friend of mine. They head up a very awesome performance art collective called La Pocha Nostra.
Hope you’re well!
D.
Tony Conrad is the soundtrack of what used to be known as “The New American Cinema” So wonderful to hear Jack Smith’s voice on that one link. As I recall Conrad was married (or something) to Beverly Grant who appeared in “Flaming Creatures” and “The Illiac Passion”
Speaking of Gen (who I recently was sad to hear is in ill-health), recently I’ve been thinking of updating my top 10 bands/musical acts list (much as how I updated my top 10 favorite fiction writers list a few weeks back, where I replaced Thomas Ligotti with Denis Johnson), and one band I’m seriously considering demoting is Throbbing Gristle, who I’ve had on that list for close to 20 years now… it’s not that I’ve grown to dislike them (and I would never deny the big impact they made on my life, especially when I was in my early 20’s), it’s just I ask myself, “Honestly, how often do you listen to this band for pleasure?” I may put Joy Division back on, who I took off last year when I added Fleetwood Mac to the list.
Sad to hear that the queer Lovecraftian writer W.H. Pugmire passed away yesterday. I don’t think many people reading this blog have heard of him but in the horror circles I frequent he was quite well-respected.
Thank you for reviving this post, DC. I’m always happy for any commemoration of Tony Conrad was among my grad school professors in late ’70s Buffalo NY. Indeed, he was the reason I attended that school, having already owned the Dream Syndicate lp on Caroline that Tony did in collaboration with Faust. I suppose I knew about his involvement (and cohabitation) with the nascent Velvet Underground members. He named that band, didn’t he? In any event, such sketchy knowledge as I possessed at the time did not prepare me for Tony in person: Incredibly smart — TC being one of the few true intellectuals of my acquaintance — and mercurial in the extreme, your best and funniest pal one day and a tormentor, nearly an enemy outright on the next. The cadence of Tony’s speech was a marvel in itself, as though Jimmy Stewart had been through the mid-’60s lower east side speed scene after doing Harvard. I organized a mini-festival of his films while at school and, much later, wrote a cover story in The Wire once his musical activities resumed. His life in music seemed very much in the past when I was at Media Studies, but I’ve never seen anyone wax so enthusiastic about anything as when Tony connected with new-to-him music. I played Lee Perry productions (the Heptones’ ‘Party Time’ and the Upsetters’ ‘Super Ape’ among others) and watched Tony figuratively hit the ceiling, just as he did upon first hearing Master Mewla-Congo play guitar on Pamelo Mounk’a’s early ’80s Congolese lp’s. It was enormously satisfying for me being able to repay Tony, by some small measure, for everything that he introduced me to, for urging me to fight formalism, and for simply waking me up — by whatever (often disturbing) means he accomplished this, it was worth it. Reengaging with music led to Tony enjoying that second chapter which Americans aren’t supposed to have. In the present day, self-aggrandizing dweebs like Henry Rollins can cite him as an influence and crow about their one-time proximity to him. Which is acceptable, as I guess it comes with the turf if you’re recognized for ongoing achievement. I’m glad all of this happened for Tony and that he remained, in the words of the late Andre Williams, “agile, mobile and hostile” right up to his conclusion.
Your films and your film posts remind me of how important film is to me. The video store was so much fun. I get exited thinking of you exploring the wonders of film-making. I trust you out there or in there. Haha, I don’t know what to think of them. I got into them in the 90’s when I was exploring punk. I adore the Sex Pistols. I feel like some Pop-Punk bands are it, and they’re so bad, like Sum41 and some of them. Im still a rocker. My great-grandmother used to tell me that work is good for you and that it never hurt anybody. Im slowly becoming a workaholic. Florida is different. Im learning to be more stoic. I’ll probably move soon. Just read through Dianectics again and feeling better. My Dad says its what you make of it. It’s almost Summer and Im getting my Florida eyes. Learning to spot them thangs. Gonna enjoy the blog today drink tons of caffeine and write and blog some. Then go and try to tell this boy that I like him. I feel like Im going to breakdown crying when I talk to him. Strange dreams last night. I was with a dark-haired girl on the metro in Paris and the train went to a hood like way out past Trone. And I asked her is this near Republic and she said it was the right place. We went into an alley that looked like the Marais and bought some drugs and then these two guys started fighting with handguns one was holding a gun to the other one while he was holding a gun to his own head. Then I was in a way over the top Bascillica. I was enjoying the make of the place that was more Eastern and the center sculpture was one of the Virgin. I was looking through a book about marbles and a boy came and lead me to a submarine outside and told me its story and showed me the mannequins inside in water up their knees. Love, K.
Hey Dennis, I hope everything is fine.
I have to check in: Tony Conrad (and great guests)! I like his art so much.
Last year I saw this documentary about him “Tony Conrad: Completly In The Present”. What an inspiring life.
What a great tribute to Conrad (whose flicker films would likely lose all their impact on video, especially on a laptop)! I have fond memories of seeing him & Faust at the Knitting Factory on Houston St. in the early ’90s.
Ah, so many riches to be had here! Especially loving that early Angus Maclise collab. I need to immerse myself more fully in Tony Conrad’s lifetime work and this Gig will make a decent starting point.
I see the PGL Glasgow venue has been changed, I’m not familiar with the Andrew Stewart Cinema but am sure it will all be good.
Been telling myself not to talk about Brexit but today’s events are so much comedy gold. Parliament has rejected every single type of Brexit and cancelling it was also defeated. Theresa May doesn’t even have enough support to resign successfully. I think their only option now is to pretend the whole thing never happened and to never mention it again.
Hey Mr. D – yeah, tried again with Zazie – a little too slapstick for me so I skipped through it and liked the very end. Thanks about the reading – I understand, but will send you a FB invite anyway. Waiting to hear what date exactly, probably end of April or early May. It’ll be the same place where my first book reading was, at Greenwich House off of Washington Square. That was a pretty good turnout and I expect a big one this time. It’s a chance for me to be an actor again…I love to read my words and perform them too. Got such a great response the last time. You know, with my first book, I tried so hard, beating my head against the wall with so many things, like trying to get a reading in a bookstore; but this time, I’m going easier on myself. I’m going where I’m invited and wanted. It’s hard to be a small-press author, not getting emails returned for reviews or readings. So I’m going with the flow this time and have decided to get my satisfaction that way. It was just too painful to get the door slammed in my face so many times. But this will be exciting and I’m confident about it. Wish you could be there but totally understand. You’ve got so much thrilling stuff going on! And I’ll look forward to seeing PGL again when it’s here. My kind of film!