Spotlight: Atsuko Chiba

A Canadian experimental rock band with three count ’em three guitarists? —Perfect Guitar Moderne fodder I’d say. Based in Montreal, Quebec, Atsuko Chiba, formed in December 2012, consists of Karim Lakdhar (guitar, synths, and vocals), Kevin McDonald (guitar and synths), David Palumbo (bass and vocals), Anthony Piazza (drums, visuals) and Eric Schafhauser (guitar, synths). To date, they have released a live EP, Animalia: Several States of Being (2013), and a full-length album Jinn (2014). They are set to release their second album in spring 2015.

The band’s music features heavy effect processing and ambient electronics, within a melodic and rhythmic framework. “Cinematic” is a term often bandied about, especially with instrumental music, but theirs certainly deserves the description, with tunes comparable to everything from small indie films to Marvel superhero epics. Their live performances actually combine music and film to create immersive sensorial environments.

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Spotlight: Martin Siewert

Every now and then I will discover a guitarist in a certain context and then find out I have already heard his or her work in another band. I found Trapist’s minimalist masterpiece, Ballroom many years ago, but when I discovered Martin Siewert’s  Radian video’s more recently was unaware that he was the guitarist from Trapist. Part of the thriving Viennese experimental scene that gave us Christian Fennesz and Burkhard Stangl, his solid grounding in American roots music almost makes him a candidate for Roots Moderne. Siewert’s actual output though retains only hints of that inspiration—enough to lend it an emotional weight not found often enough in deeply experimental music.

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Spotlight: Bill Horist

Still getting the format together here at Guitar Moderne. I Spotlighted Bill Horist earlier, before I came up with the “Introducing ” concept. Through the magic of the Interwebs, I have gone back and changed that post to Introducing and here Spotlight this amazing improvising guitarist, complete with a full, no holds or opinions barred interview. The included video is a textbook of extended techniques employed in a highly personal, emotive way by a modern guitar master.


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Console: Interchangeable Analog Effects

Tired of connecting those boutique pedals before the gig and worrying about which little cable is dysfunctional this time? Or, maybe you are just tired of paying $150-$300 for the pedals themselves.

Devi Ever, who offers a variety of extreme fuzz type effects out of Portland, OR. has a cool concept for a unit called Console that will accept more modestly priced effect cartridges.  This will allow you to bring a different, prewired, group of analog effects, depending on the gig, and reduce set up time. Other boutique manufacturers, like Analog Man and Trombetta, are ready to get on board after the launch. Check out the Kickstarter page and scroll down for full details.

Or check out this video. (Skip to about 2:30 if you want just the facts without the philosophy.)

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