Guitar Static by Luka Schuurman

GUITAR STATIC is a challenge in collective endurance. Nine electric guitar players shred just one note each for 19 minutes, forming a large, intensely buzzing chord drone. All players have the freedom of tuning, occasional octave shifts and gradual changes in tempo and dynamics.

The result is a very physical and lively drone world in which you can't distinguish the individual players but everyone brings their own character and emotions to the piece, creating a disarming blend of painful harshness and ecstatic beauty without the change of a single note.

We want to do this live. Book us.

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CHORD ORGAN STATIC is the piece from which the idea and harmony of "Guitar Static" originated. I recorded an improvisation on an instrument called the "electric chord organ", which is essentially a large melodica with an electric fan. In addition to a regular keyboard, the chord organ has a set of buttons that allow you to play instant chords. Press five of those at the same time and interesting things start to happen. The dynamics are created by manipulating the air flow of the fan.

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“Leuk idee, goed uitgevoerd”
- Arjan van Sorge (Gonzo (circus)
https://www.gonzocircus.com/guitar-static/

“. . . een prachtige, duistere wolk, het kan nu ieder moment gaan regenen.”
- Ben Taffijn (Nieuwe Noten)
www.nieuwenoten.nl?p=8113

‘Chord Organ Static’ opening Arjan van Sorge’s Free Radicals radio broadcast on Concertzender Nederland, followed by other beautiful music:
https://www.concertzender.nl/programma/vrije_radicalen_573642/

Tracklist

1.	Guitar Static	18:57

2.	Chord Organ Static	16:00

Credits

released September 4, 2020

CREDITS

GUITAR STATIC
In this (premiere) arrangement and performance, I had the honor of working with fantastic and very diverse guitar players. The line up is as follows:

ELECTRIC GUITARS:
Joost van Berlo
Storm de Boer
FJ González Torres
David Jansen
Luka Janszen
Teun Putker
Luka Schuurman
Tijmen Smit
Jasper Stadhouders

Composition by Luka Schuurman
Arrangement by the ensemble.

Recorded by Geert van der Beek with a magical setup of microphones on July 12, 2020 at Volta Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Thanks to Geert and Volta for making this possible and for owning enough amplifiers. Thanks to everybody's enthousiasm, positive energy and creativity towards the piece, that made it a very special and sincere recording. Hello to Lou Reed, whose album "Metal Machine Music" turned 45 this year.

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CHORD ORGAN STATIC
Improvised & recorded at home in Amsterdam on electric chord organ by Luka Schuurman on April 25, 2020.

Graphic design & cover photography by Luka Schuurman Ontwerp.

More thanks to Aida for feedback and support.

License