Sound Alert
Sound Alert performed as part of "Luigi Russolo life and works of a Futurist" 4 october-17 december 2006 at
The Estorick Collection of modern Italian Art
Brownsierra performed The Torment of St Agatha, Children of Auron, Cygnus Alpha and Dawn of The Gods, using doorbells,
car horns, bicycle bells and alarms, some of which were adapted electronically. Creating a fascinating urban soundscape performance.
39a Canonbury sq London.
Unload equipment
get table and chairs
set out the table
put up the flats and the stands
place the alert sounds around for the best spatial effects
wire them to the switchboards, test they all work
set up the PA and have a sound check
set up the merchandise suitcase
talk to Roberta or Stephanie to check they are happy with it
check out the sort of lighting we want
set the alarm clock to 7 o'clock and place it on a pick-up
leave and return at 5.30.
switch on PA sound check equipment check it all works ok
mingle with guests if there are any.
1.
7 o'clock alarm clock begins to sound
brownsierra excuse themselves from conversation and make there way to performance area
paddy introduces brownsierra
mini blue comes on and is left to play alone for a minute or so
paddy brings in small buzzers, short sustained and drones
pia brings in dauntless and yellow beat
build on the sound bringing the bleeps in and out
paddy continues with small buzzers
end
2.
paddy introduces St Agatha's Pony
St Agatha's Pony doorbells and bicycle bells
3.
an imitation of the intonarumori paddy introduces
bowed metal, things that click possibly some fire alarms and car horns
pia brings in bowed fireball
we do a duet
pia introduces big blue and lets it come in for about a minute then it drops away
pia drops away on bowed bell
paddy plays for a few more seconds
end
4.
paddy slender tone solo bleeps for about 6 minutes
pia comes in with a few piezo buzzers, it gradually builds, have sporadic rapid play with all alert sounds
ding dong doorbells repeated played with fire bells
repetition
end.
5.
taped inched pia plays birds
paddy plays bird caller and baby crier
car horns alert sound frenzy short sharp bursts
everybody runs out the door holding their ears!
performances