Karthik Kakarala Ensemble @ Noise FeSTL '08 pt II

[izzythepusher]

I'm glad you're able to appreciate some aspects of Karthik's music. It's perfectly understandable if you still have some reservations.

I cannot speak completely on Karthik's behalf, but I'm confident that his artistic impulses go beyond merely punishing his listeners' ear drums.

[edn2006]

Also... I don't see why someone who performed at 'Noisefest' is defending me using the word 'noise' to define their genre of music

[izzythepusher]

You're using the word "noise" in the archaic sense.

Noise music doesn't necessarily indulge in unpleasant sounds, as the meaning of "unpleasant" is subject to the beholder. Conventional genres of music arguably feature more objectionable sounds to the human ear, but are more readily accepted due to their tried and true genre adherence.

[izzythepusher]

Noise musicians and enthusiasts are thoroughly interested in form and expression that often has nothing to do with more established notions of music, but they are not inherently anti-musical. In other words, they can walk and chew gum at the same time.

[edn2006]

I'm very confused about what just happened to the last 8 minutes of my life. I've tried very hard, but I guess I just don't get it? I know it's noise... but ... it's just noise.... putting thinking into noise doesn't make it better noise....it's still just loud noise

[karthikkakarala]

There are a few pecular points, here. I have no issue with people disliking noise, much like I would hope to not be begrudged for people having issues with my music criticisms.

First, there's no evidence that you watched the other part.

Next, it's not really Noise until the very tail end, it's just a blown-out videocamera recording (sorry Tom) at worst.

The last sentence is regrettable, as it could be unfairly used to describe ANY music.

[karthikkakarala]

Also, it's quite possible to try very hard and not be using a useful methodology (much like you can try to get your head through a wall of plywood, but there's probably a better way than hitting your head upon it). If a punk band were to play a show and be filmed from this proximity, resulting in a different tone wash, but still in the same category, you wouldn't call it "noise," so there's a distinct feeling that you randomly had an axe to grind and found this video to take it out on.

[edn2006]

No axe to grind. Could be possible that I'm just missing any form of melody or tonality because of the video quality, as you said. I wasn't meaning to insult anyone... I just stated "I don't get it..."... To me, putting four guys together and telling them to play four different songs could produce similar results. And yes, I've listened to your myspace music as well. And again, not trying to step on any toes...

[izzythepusher]

I only shot and uploaded the video.

Send Karthik an inquiry through his MySpace page. I'm sure he'd love to give you an explanation.

[phunkyfonz]

I don't know about you... but screaming into the pick-ups never worked for me live... did it work for you?

[karthikkakarala]

A bit, though not as much as it could have if it was more central to this piece. The thing is, you have to understand in pitch and direction that, unless you are using piezo pickups (I have had plenty of fun with acoustic electrics in this manner), you are actually trying to scream at the strings, causing them to vibrate sympathetically.

[phunkyfonz]

hmmm, that's interesting. I actually recorded my phone's voicemail through pickups, put it on speaker phone and it recorded pretty well. when recording just my guitar to a recording device during a band practice I noticed that on the recordings I can hear my drummers cymbals very faintly. I think pickups can actually pick up more than just string vibrations. cause sound is all vibrations. I kinda wanna know why they do that.

[karthikkakarala]

The whole guitar is meant to vibrate slightly (and if it weren't, "tone woods" would mean nothing). At its root, we're talking about the same principles that a traffic light sensor uses to guide its cycles (big metal car disturbing the magnetic field, which is why the magnet type of a guitar is important). A piezo pickup will pickup all vibrations. Think about this for a bit: It's why those old guitars have mellow tone: They've de-magnetized slowly but surely.