Etherwheel - "Earth's Shadow", from the "Theremin & Hurdy-Gurdy" album on the Zorpin label.
www.chrisconway.org/cd_etherwh...
iTunes - itunes.apple.com/us/album/the...
Bandcamp - etherwheel.bandcamp.com/album/...
Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...
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also on Emusic, Spotify, Deezer...
Etherwheel
Chris Conway -- theremin, effects -- electric 9 string guitar on track 6
Dave Powell -- hurdy-gurdy, effects -- symphony on track 7
1. Earth's Shadow
2. Alien Shores
3. Internal Waves
4. False Sunrise
5. Supercooling
6. Gravity Well
7. The Recurring Dream
8. The Far Future
One night at an electronic improvisation session hurdy-gurdyist Dave Powell and thereminist Chris Conway were drawn out of the hat to play as a duo. Despite the very different nature of the instruments, both enjoyed using effects and delays to build up adagio-like soundscapes. They discussed with amusment the possibility of a theremin & hurdy-gurdy album. Over the course of four and a half years, they sought to record more live outings and this album is the result.
Each instrument poses it's own challenge. The hurdy-gurdy with it's buttons to hold down the notes seems inflexible, but using the wheel brings out many different textures. The theremin which you don't touch at all is almost too flexible and requires much control, but every quiver of the hand changes the note. Add electronic effects to each and they complement eachother well making spacey soundscapes. The hurdy-gurdy provides the edge, the theremin the warmth.
They decided to make an album involving the same endless adagio sound, making a similar soundworld throughout. They hope to do future studio recordings using other appraoches and other instruments, but the dream of a theremin & hurdy-gurdy album is fulfilled.