Oscillatorial Binnage
Agitations: Post-electronic Sounds
London-based electroacoustic quartet Oscillatorial Binnage have been giving workshops and performing live experimental improvised music together since 2004. The group is comprised of Fari Bradley, Toby Clarkson, Christopher J. Weaver and Daniel Wilson. Characterised by their repurposing of found objects, they began using self-built electromagnetic assemblies in 2007. Oscillatorial Binnage employ everything from springs to woks; from books to ice, to create sounds that entwine the domestic with the industrial, and the scientific with the alchemical. This is reflected in the diversity of spaces in which they have performed, including a subterranean vault, a testing factory, a water tank, a disused bus station, a yurt, a kitchen, churches, ballrooms, caves, aircraft hangars, museums, tunnels, kiosks, sheds, galleries, as well such established venues as The Tate Modern, The Wellcome Trust, The Science Museum, IKLECTIK Art, and Cafe Oto. 'Agitations: Post-Electronic Sounds' constitutes a series of sonic exercises based around one principal philosophy: that systems of electromagnetically-resonated physical objects can lead to complex electronic-sounding tones that emerge acoustically, progressing themselves in surprising non-linear dynamic states, providing pointers for further actions upon the objects. Techniques usually associated with electronic music, such as modulation, waveshaping, filtering, etc., are here applied to acoustic physical systems via prods, cranks, levers, gears, and jacks. The bulk of the recordings were made at La Borde Basse/Studio Midi-Pyrénées in 2013, with additional tracks recorded with electromagnetic-force-field resonated oil drums at Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, and upgraded reconstructions of Luigi Russolo's Futurist intonarumori at Mount Pleasant, Clapton. Starting with fallen dry leaves, found pottery and brass junkets, the experiments progressed to combinations of interconnected objects, including industrial springs, clamps, woks, rods, hand-held brass bells, earthenware, dry leaves, stones, pitchforks, feathers, paper, plastic receptacles, lamp-post doors, wicker baskets, grilles, bottles, barrels, and much more. The album forms an acoustic exploration into the alchemy of found objects, and the origins of inspiration.