2009 Season
 Jason Sloan | Saul Stokes and Jason Sloan - 18 April 2009
Saul Stokes is recognized as one of the leading voices in modern Electronic Music. Described as "fresh and inventive", Stokes brings together elements of Space, Ambient, Industrial and Intelligent-Techno and forges a sound uniquely his own. The immediacy of the live setting brings out Stokes' talent for creating floating spacemusic. Using unique, self-designed and constructed electronic instruments, he effortlessly conjures up completely improvised electronic soundscapes. 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. |  Saul Stokes |
Saul Stokes returned to Philadelphia and The Gatherings Concert Series on 18 April 2009. Soundscape artist Jason Sloan opened. | ||
 Ben Neill |
Ben Neill and Soporus - 16 May 2009
Ben Neill is a performer, composer, and inventor of the Mutantrumpet - a hybrid electro-acoustic instrument. Through his use of interactive computer technologies, Neill creates a unique musical and visual universe, melding the worlds of electronic music, jazz, pop culture and visual media. In his performance, four linked computers form a "Powerbook Band" that merges his three-belled, computer interfaced Mutantrumpet with live MIDI controlled digital video. Neill literally plays the moving pictures to create "video remixes" as he blows life into real-time and recorded video - making the images an extension of his electrified horn. Ben Neill returned to Philadelphia and The Gatherings Concert Series on 16 May 2009. Philadelphia-based drone ensemble Soporus opened. |
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Jóhann Jóhannsson and Lichens - 27 June 2009
Jóhann Jóhannsson is an Icelandic musician, composer, producer, soundtrack artist and an active member of his country's artistic community. His stately, slow-building and hauntingly melodic music has been quietly bewitching listeners for the last several years. His works incorporate many unusual, possibly ironic, elements layered in with the familiar sounds and motifs of a classically outfitted string orchestra. By combining minimalism, ambient and symphonic music Jóhannsson realizes a most compelling music. His compositions gently rise out of silence to endearing sonic heights. Unfolding in time, the music plays heights off of depths and lament against affirmation - all blending into one moment. Jóhann Jóhannsson made his Philadelphia debut on Saturday 27 June 2009. Lichens opened to great acclaim. |  Jóhann Jóhannsson |
 Digital Sampler |
Sampler Workshop - 13 September 2009
The Sampler Workshop at The Gatherings was headed by veteran synthesist Harrison McKay, a leading talent in the field of music technology and in music performance with the Spacemusic duo The Tangent Project. Demonstrating on an array of gear McKay (assisted by colleague Jeff Coulter) discussed the history, technology, equipment and basic concepts involved in using a sampler and the realization of music. Attendees had the opportunity to observe close-up the workings of a sampler, heard how samples are created, modified and turned into music and learned how these means might be used in their own creative endeavors. In attendance were a range of people, beginners, music fans as well as those with advanced knowledge, all came away from this workshop with a better understanding of the sampler, the people who use them and deeper insight into and better appreciation of the many genres of music inspired by this technology. |
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Hammock and Mico Nonet - 17 October 2009
The main attraction to Hammock, the duo of Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson, are the guitars. Drones and lead guitar parts are blended together to create fluid moments of musicality that allow ambiance and atmosphere to open up and overtake the listener. Their critically acclaimed studio albums and entrancing live performances have found acceptance among listeners across genres ranging from Post-Rock to Ambient, Electronic and Shoegazer. The duo are fluent in and admirers of many different musical styles - and demonstrate a profound talent for merging and filtering these elements through the use of gentle guitar melodies, echo, sparse vocals and patient song-craft. Transcending a mere listening experience by its sheer beauty, Hammock's music seems able to convey innermost longings into sound - which can make for an indescribable affirmation of the spirit. Hammock with Mico Nonet opening made their Philadelphia debut on Saturday 17 October 2009. |  Hammock |
 Arc |
Arc - 14 November 2009
Mark Shreeve and Ian Boddy have a great deal in common. They both independently rose to icon status (catalyzing the 1980's UK synth scene) through the release of several remarkable studio albums and numerous legendary live performances; Shreeve became notorious for his muscular, testosterone fueled synth music and Boddy for his prog-influenced symphonic synthscapes. Coincidentally, Shreeve and Boddy came to re-invent themselves artistically at about the same time too. Shreeve with the formation of his group Redshift and its elevation of 70's sequencer spacemusic and Boddy through his embrace of and foray into modern chillout ambient music and the bold establishment of his DiN label. In 1998 Mark Shreeve and Ian Boddy became the duo of Arc and began a tradition of experimentation through collaboration. Reexamining the sequencer spacemusic of the '70s through the creative lens of two masterful electronic musicians, Arc manages to come up with music that is not cliched or derivative but rather evocative and compelling. Arc made their stateside concert debut in Philadelphia at The Gatherings Concert Series on 14 November 2009. |
    
Arc live at The Gatherings Concert Series on 14 November 2009 is supported in part by the above orgainzations | |
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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, Digital Audio Editing with Pro Tools and aspects of the Analogue Sequencer. The next Workshop will be held on Sunday 13 September 2009 and provide an overview of Digital Sampling. | ||
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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