Point of Balance

Here is a new composition titled 'Point of Balance.' As I was writing this it occurred to me that most of the elements in the piece can be thought of as having two parts. For example, the phrases with subdivisions of 2 vs subdivisions of 3 or similar melodies played at half step intervals. Even the written material vs the improvised material can be viewed this way. This dichotomy is the basis for the title.

Most Magical Night

This composition, titled Most Magical Night, contains material that i've been developing for a few weeks. The piece consists of short figures which are repeated multiple times and then varied and repeated some more. Some of the figures involve a written idea and then a short space for improvisation, while others are totally written. There are also places where there is no written material.

The idea to assemble this material in this manner, as well as the idea for the title, came to me while walking late at night. The seasons are changing and this seems to create a special kind of energy in the air. It's as if all of the natural world is going somewhere; there is a sense of urgency and nothing is static. I hope this sentiment is reflected in this piece.

Tusen takk til Anja at Grünerløkka Lufthavn for letting me use the space at Galleri 69 to record this video. Lufthavn is a great place in Oslo that really helps support artists. Check them out: here!

Standing, Dejected, Employed.

This is a composition by Kyle Farrell. This piece was originally one section of the larger work 'Compromised Transitions' which was performed by (the) Giants of Gender and Kathleen Larrick at the Living Arts of Tulsa, OK New Genre Festival XV in 2008. I have since added improvisation in two places and expanded some repeated material. It is currently the only piece I perform that was not written entirely by me.

Throughout the piece you will see me swinging wildly from side to side. This is to create a 'doppler effect' by changing the position of the origin of  the sound in relation to the microphone in an effort to create a sense of space or depth. It is noticeable in the video but nothing compared to the effect that is created in a live environment. Credit to Sam Newsome and Jane Ira Bloom for being amongst the first to discover this technique.  

Sound of MU Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who came to the show at Sound of MU last night. 

This was really a special show for me since it was my first in Norway!

Tusen takk!!

Forever Bright

Forever Bright is a new composition with inspiration from some of my favorite minimalist composers, in particular Terry Riley. Terry Riley has long been a favorite of mine and I think this is reflected in the first section of this composition. The first section is titled 'Call' and features a simple figure that is repeated and interspersed with improvisation. The second section, titled 'Forever Bright,' features mixed meters and regularly repeating motifs. This section also has improvisation in several places.

This recording was made in the forest to the north of Oslo. This area of forest has an incredible reverb, though I don't think you can really hear it in the video. 

Basically a Fish

Here is a new tune, titled 'Basically a Fish.' The tune is primarily a melody based on two chords, Cmaj7 and Db-7. These chords are interesting because although they have strikingly different sounds and no real harmonic function when placed next to each other, they have the same 3rd and 7th.

This video was taken on a hill overlooking Grunerløkka, a neighborhood in Oslo. You can also see a video of a short improvisation from this same location here: PINEcollective.

Rye Flowers

Here is a video of a tune titled 'Rye Flowers.' The tune has a sort-of rondo form, where several elements are repeating, interspersed with improvisation based on simple chord progressions.