2008 Season
 Jason Sloan | Jeffrey Koepper and Jason Sloan - 19 April 2008
Renowned for his technical abilities and restorative powers, Jeffrey Koepper is distinguished for his work in maintaining and reviving vintage electronic music equipment. His music is realized through a mastery beyond the technical side of his craft. The works alternate between analogue bubbles and digital ice, and bright, smooth, spacious tonal landscapes. Applying his vast technical knowledge of music making equipment towards programming evocative ethereal sounds and strong rhythmic designs, Koepper produces music of impressive depth and rare intelligence. Koepper's third CD Sequentaria was released at his concert at The Gatherings. Jason Sloan is a visual performance/sound/installation artist. His aural work is created with computers, synths, guitar and environmental sounds extracted from his surroundings and aligns with the spiritual. He considers his music auditory stimulation, representing a transcendence of the physical world. This performance was Sloan's Philadelphia concert debut. Jeffrey Koepper returned to Philadelphia and The Gatherings Concert Series on 19 April 2008. Soundscape artist Jason Sloan opened. |  Jeffrey Koepper |
 Stars of the Lid |
Stars of the Lid - 3 May 2008
Stars of the Lid specializes in drone-based ambient music. Their works are largely beatless soundscapes, composed of droning, effects-treated guitars along with piano, strings, and horns. Volume swells and feedback fill the gap of rhythmic instruments, providing dynamic movement within the songs. Their sound has been described as "divine, classical drone without the tedious intrusion of drums or vocals". Stars of the Lid sold-out their Philadelphia debut at The Gatherings Concert Series on 3 May 2008. Soundscape guitarist Christopher Willits opened. |
 Chuck van Zyl |
First Night Out - 17 May 2008
First Night Out featured live performances by individuals inspired by the music of the STAR'S END radio program and The Gatherings Concert Series, who have not yet had the opportunity to bring their music to an appreciative, understanding audience. First Night Out was a rare opportunity for the members of our diverse community of Spacemusic enthusiasts to hear up-and-coming new talent from the scene. First Night Out was held on Saturday 17 May 2008 and featured performances by local artists: Roycee Martin, David Rose, The Tangent Project and Chuck van Zyl. |  The Tangent Project |
 Terry Furber |
Analogue Sequencer Workshop - 8 June 2008
The Analogue Sequencer Workshop at The Gatherings will be headed by veteran synthesist Terry Furber, a leading talent in the field of home synthesizer design as well as in music performance with his Spacemusic duo Orbital Decay. Demonstrating on an array of gear, which includes two Synthesizers.com Sequential Controller modules and a refurbished Moog 1P modular synthesizer, Furber will discuss the history, technology, equipment and basic concepts involved in using an Analogue Sequencer and the realization of music. Attendees will have an opportunity to observe close-up the workings of a sequencer, hear how patterns are created, modified and turned into music and learn how these means might be used in their own creative endeavors. Whether you are a beginner, a music fan or have advanced knowledge, you will come away from this workshop with a better understanding of the sequencer, the people who use them and deeper insight into and better appreciation of the many genres of music inspired by the synthesizer. |
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Manuel Göttsching - 16 August 2008
In Summer of 2008, Berlin based guitarist and composer Manuel Göttsching traveled to the United States for two performances. His stateside concert debut was made in New York City at Lincoln Center on 15 August 2008 as the centerpiece of the Wordless Music Series, and in Philadelphia on 16 August 2008 at The Gatherings Concert Series. In New York Göttsching performed live his classic album E2-E4 while in Philadelphia he performed "Die Mulde" - as well as his greatest hits released as Ashra and Ash Ra Tempel (including selections from Inventions for Electric Guitar, New Age of Earth and Blackouts among others). Photos and Reviews coming soon. |  Manuel Göttsching |
 The Ministry of Inside Things |
The Ministry of Inside Things + Mahoney & Peck - 20 September 2008
Consisting of electronic musician Chuck van Zyl and electric guitarist Art Cohen, The Ministry of Inside Things are considered among the most innovative of US spacemusicians today. While their music touches on many of the hallmarks of Berlin-School Spacemusic, MoIT bring their own influences and innovation to the process. The result is a sound that is uniquely individual. The Ministry of Inside Things returned to The Gatherings Concert Series on 20 September 2008. Mahoney + Peck opened. |
 Dean De Benedictis |
Dean De Benedictis + Vic Hennegan - 18 October 2007
The musical work of Dean DeBenedictis is one of continued engagement. With clear phrasing, pacing and feeling his realizations are infused with both thought and spirit. His musical arrangements are tight and express a relentlessly solemn inner monologue. Vic Hennegan creates techno-trance and ambient music as an expression of his spirituality. From spellbinding anthems to passages of intimate revelations, the music hits deep. Dean De Benedictis + Vic Hennegan made their east-coast debut in Philadelphia as part of The Gatherings Concert Series on 18 October 2008. |  Vic Hennegan |
| A.R.S.(e) Ashley | Roedelius | Story plus Moebius and Cluster - 15 November 2008 |
 
Dwight Ashley and Tim Story have each on their own amassed a significant collection of unique and interesting work. Dwight Ashley's frostbound expressionism is both familiar and new, while Tim Story composes music that is open and elegant. By working together as the collective Ashley/Story, their music has progressed into areas neither could have reached individually.
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Hans-Joachim Roedelius is a pioneer in the field of exploiting electrically generated tones, sounds and noises. His influence on contemporary popular electronic music dates back to the genre's very inception. Usually associated with Dieter Moebius and their duo Cluster, Roedelius has also collaborated with a broad range of notable musicians. His latest efforts put him on stage with Dwight Ashley, Tim Story and Dieter Moebius.
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| Ashley | Roedelius | Story with Moebius and Cluster debuted in Philadelphia as part of The Gatherings Concert Series on 15 November 2008. |
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A.R.S.[e] live at The Gatherings Concert Series on 15 November 2008 is funded in part by the independent record label Nepenthe Music |
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Workshops
Along with the Spring and Autumn concerts, The Gatherings also presents a continuing series of workshops. Lead by experts drawn from the local community of learned practitioners, the workshops are open to anyone interested in gaining knowledge into the technical concepts upon which Ambient, Electronic, Ethereal and Spacemusic is based. | ||
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The primary educational goal of these workshops is to teach to the novice the creative operation of the various equipment and software used by innovative musicians in making contemporary music. Basic insight is provided into how the various components and concepts may be integrated with the aim of realizing musical productions. | 
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| It is believed that by providing insight into the creative and technical process, attendees will attain a deeper appreciation of the music and a more rewarding listening experience. Subjects have thus far covered: Loop Based Composition, Basic Studio Recording, The Mellotron, Analogue Synthesis for Beginners and Digital Audio Editing with Pro Tools. The next Workshop will be held on Sunday 8 June 2008 and cover aspects of the Analogue Sequencer with noted Electronic Musician Terry Furber | ||
The Gatherings Concert Series is presented by the all-volunteer staff of The Corporation for Innovative Music and Arts of Pennsylvania
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