Posts from 2018
Photo by Malinda-Ro Jenner
Mid Year Update
Hi everyone,
Almost halfway through 2018 - how time flies! I'm now in the final stages of my PhD, working on the final creative project (Farina, more on this below) before submitting later this year.
A few recaps and updates to share with you:
News
Featherstone Place (with Zephyr Quartet)
Between April and May, my 24/7 installation Featherstone Place sounded in the eponymous laneway in Adelaide's CBD. Punctuating this was an April 27 concert with Zephyr Quartet, featuring a new work for string quartet, A Day In An Alleyway,that tied in with the installation, alongside covers of Paranoid Android, Fireword, Misery Business, Rich Girl and other pop songs. Performed in the round, it was an inviting and intimate happening for all who came.
This project wouldn't have been possible without some amazing people, with sincere thanks going to:
Zephyr Quartet - Belinda, Emily, Jason, Hilary, and manager Jenn - for their steadfast support throughout the process of developing, and presenting the installation and new quartet piece
Corinna McLaine and Andrew Tokmakoff of BASEM3NT, for their generous and patient support with the installation, logistics and concert presentation
Scott Krix and Krix Speakers, for their gracious sponsorship of outdoor Tropix speakers for the installation.
Immersed: Surround Sound Concerts
On May 19 in Adelaide and June 3 in Murray Bridge, Immersed: A Concert of New Surround Sounds Works showcase pieces by Alex Rodhe, Josh Warry, Leah Blankendaal (AUS) and Lucas Marshall Smith, David Nguyen and Rob Seaback (USA), as well as two pieces focussing on ecosystems in the Murray Bridge area. In addition to highlighting multichannel sound art practice from around the world, it was a joy to share the site-specific works of Mobilong and Long Island with the local community who live and work there on a daily basis. Many thanks go to:
Alex, Josh, Leah, Lucas, David and Rob for their wonderful contributions to the concert, and to Leah Barclay for her technical advice
Sebastian Tomczak and Luke Harrald at Elder Conservatorium for their generous support and advice in preparing for the concert
The Rural City of Murray Bridge, for its support of the concert through a Small Wins Grant
The members of Murray Bridge Rotary Club for their administrative and logistical support
Murray Bridge Piano Sanctuary
At long last, two pianos have been installed in Carey's Park, providing the basis for the Murray Bridge Piano Sanctuary!
The pianos, a Schubert Model and a Richard Deiken both originally from Berlin, have colourful histories and have now come to live out their days in the shade of native Australian pines and eucalypts on Mannum Road (across from Serenity Nursery).
For more information and updates, be sure to visit (and like) theMurray Bridge Piano Sanctuary Facebook Page.
Limelight Interview with The Serenade Files
Recently, I had a delightful conversation with Jennifer Trijo of The Serenade Files, talking about some of my recent work in ecological sound art, regional arts practice and the Piano Sanctuary. Our interview was published in Limelight Magazine, which you can read here.
Academic Article Published
My new article, 'Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians as a Soundscape Composition', has been published by Directions of New Music at Edith Cowan University.
This issue also features articles by my good friend Shoshana Rosenberg and composer Thomas Reiner. You can read the articles at http://ro.ecu.edu.au/dnm/.
Events
'Before C' @ Mass PianoMax Concert, (14 June)
As part of the South Australian Accompanists' Guild 2018 Conference, a Multi Piano Extravanganza featuring 30 pianos will take place at PianoMax on Magill Road, Adelaide. The concert features a premiere of a new piece of mine, 'Before C', a prelude to the seminal minimalist piece, In C, by Terry Riley.
The concert is free, with more information at the Facebook event and more information on the Conference available at the Guild's website.
Farina: A Community Collaborative Soundscape (June 22)
In mid June, I'll be teaming up with acclaimed percussionists Vanessa Tomlinson and Joshua Baldwin to premiere a new work, Farina, for community percussion orchestra and surround sound electronics.
Directly influenced by the arid ecosystem at Farina, the piece explores the changes in the town's acoustic environment over the past 140 years, from settlement to the present day. Involving volunteers from the Farina Restoration Group, the concert will also include some of my surround sound pieces for other SA ecosystems, as well as a number of solo brackets from myself and other performers.
The concert will take place on Friday 22 June at 5pm, in Tom's Shed at Farina.
To find out more about Farina and the work of the Restoration Society, visit http://www.farinarestoration.com/
All best wishes, until next time,
Jesse x
Featherstone Place and Far Away!
Greeting everyone from South Australia, where we're currently in the full swing of autumn! The year progresses onward, with much happening over the coming months, some of which I can share with you:
News
Elements (Alaska) CITW Art Exhibition
Following the 2017 Composing In The Wilderness seminar in Alaska which I attended, a group of Alaskan artists named 'Elements' have developed a diverse exhibition of new visual artworks responding to the participants' compositions.
Margo Klass and Susan Campbell both very kindly created new works in response to my composition Silent Succession, which you can listen to on Soundcloud. The premiere exhibition will take place at Tonglen Lake Lodge, Denali Park in July 2018. More information on the exhibition is available here.
Passage (artist book, 11"h x 21" w) by Margot Klass,
created in response to Silent Succession, composed by Jesse Budel
Events
Featherstone Place (20 April -11 May), and Cult Classics (April 27)
Over the past year, I've been developing a 24/7 sound installation for Featherstone Place in the Adelaide CBD, in collaboration with the ever delightful Zephyr Quartet. Running day and night, the work focusses on the changes of sounds in the city environment over the course of a full day, and is affected by shifts in weather patterns (including temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind direction, and many other dynamics). The installation will start this coming Friday 20 April, and will finish on May 11.
On April 27, complementing the installation, Zephyr Quartet will present a Cult Classics concert in Featherstone Place, featuring new covers of popular songs from the 1970s to 2010s, as well as a new work by me responding to the urban sound environments of Adelaide. This will be a free event, with refreshments available for purchase. Look forward to seeing you there!
Full Steam Ahead: AMC Rep, Ruined Pianos, and more!
Hi everyone! Some exciting new and upcoming gigs:
News
AMC Representation
I am now an Associate Artist with the Australian Music Centre! This wonderful organisation provides representation for Australian composers and sound artists at an international level, and offers scores and recordings for purchase. You can access my site at
https://www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/artist/budel-jesse
Murray Bridge Piano Sanctuary
Following an extensive (and controversial!) consultation process, the six-month trial of the Murray Bridge Piano Sanctuary will begin in the near future. This trial will feature two pianos in the first section of Carey's Park, at the intersection of Nilpena, Bigmore and Mannum Roads in Murray Bridge, South Australia. More information to come soon!
Blue Touch at Beaumont House
On February 25, a new piece of mine, Long Island, was workshopped by pianists Gabriella Smart and Dan Thorpe, alongside other works by composers Dylan Crismani and Rachel Bruerville. This was part of Soundstream's ongoing Blue Touch series. A recording of the piece will be available soon.
Events
Summer Sundays at Beaumont House (Sunday March 18, 12-4pm)
I'll be performing at this year's final Summer Sundays at Beaumont House, singing old folk songs underscored by ruined piano, with arrangements by Nico Muhly and Sam Amidon.
Also featured will be acclaimed classical guitarist Alex Tsiboulski, saxophonist Derek Pascoe, and Pitjantjatjara singer-songwriter Frank Yamma. $10 tickets at the gate, and food and beverages are available onsite.
For more information, visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/event/summer-sundays-at-beaumont-house/.
Exploring Your Local Soundscape @ Murray Bridge Library (24/25 March)
The following weekend, I'll be presenting a series of workshops at Murray Bridge Library, focus on listening, recording and investigating the sounds of the environment around us.
The first workshop (Saturday 24 March, 10am - 12pm) will focus on field recording techniques, making recordings above and below water with modern recording equipment at the nearby Sturt Reserve.
The second workshop (Sunday 25 March, 1:30pm-3:30pm) will focus on deep listening skills and environmental sound analysis, using cutting-edge computer software to provide new insights into the recordings made the previous day.
People are encouraged to attend both workshops for the full experience, but are welcome to attend any they can.
These workshops are free, but registrations essential, as places are limited. Contact the Murray Bridge Public Library on (08) 8539 1175 or talk to a Library staff member book your place today!
