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Artist Blog LDN ‘10 – Om Unit Day 4

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So after having yesterday off to do something people call a job (I call it hanging out with teenagers and making beats/talking about life) we got together to round off the writing and rehearsals, after a banging Turkish breakfast at Olive’s in Hornsey which brought back memories of being 24, fancy free and probably quite hungover.

So we went through the tracks as per usual – tweaked a bit here and there.The end of the day left me with a feeling we’re gonna freestyle it a bit, but in a good way – its not so static that we have to do everything cleanly and routinely, the music will make itself on the night and I look forward to hearing how it goes on the recording.

Today I also finally managed to get hold of a real Roland 606 (see 1st blog) – it doesn’t work… yet.

Also we had the closing party for the Original Cultures exhibition at Stolen Space – I have to give it up for Beatnick for coming through with plenty of musings on all things music as usual! Once again Charlie Whatley on photo duties doing the humble work and to Ericailcane, DEM and Will for taking time out to do the boards for Stolen Space out in the freezing cold.

See you tomorrow at the show!


Artist Blog LDN ‘10 – Om Unit Day 2

Workshops

Today I re-discovered the sandwich world deli in Hornsey. Bangin. Oh and we made some more music!

It’s all about the art of stitching ideas together at the moment, that and for me trying to let go of my producer perfectionist ears, I have to remember this is supposed to be fun!

And it is, but my ears are constantly searching for more, and with 3 days only to write up to an hour’s worth of music it’s just not going to be that detailed. It’s about the impact and the feeling.

Sleep time


Artist Blog LDN ‘10 – Om Unit Day 1

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Photo by Charlie Whatley.

So after recovering from my 30th birthday party on Saturday night, I awoke early doors this morning to head up to North London to get to the rehearsal rooms for O.C London.

As it turned out the rehearsal space was really a communal space in a converted musician live/work space – complete with sleeping roadie and disgruntled bass player on his 1 day off from touring and who didn’t know of our arrival or arrangements for the week.

So we set up and after some time began writing for the show, I wanted to see if we would connect in the same way as we did in Bologne last year, and in fact we did. Once again the ideas flowed very quickly and we came up with some basic ideas. 6 tracks in total already with working titles including ‘Skid Row’ and ‘Wasabi’.

I have once again opted to use Ableton live as the working platform, this time with the launchpad – within live I am utilising 303 and 606 emulators and a Minimoog emulator (I am not rich enough to buy the real thing!)

The bass player (Dave Delgado) cheered up and decided to come jam with us and even filmed some of the action – he let us sample some licks to use for a potential slow disco piece. The power of music once again bringing people together. peace, unity love and above all… having fun!


Artist blog – Tatsuki Day 4

Original Cultures – Day4

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Doggy doggy doggy.

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Chocolate brownies! The real deal.

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How could we forget the chocolate day on Friday?

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Gettin’ ready for the show.

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Radio Citta del Capo.

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On the air.

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Seminar took place at Modo Infoshop. A great art and book spot in Bologna.

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DEM a.k.a. the super cock

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Seminar begins.

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Ayami, one of 2tall’s biggest fans who flew in from London to be with us all in Bologna!

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Another great dinner with the crew.

Tatsuki – http://blog.livedoor.jp/onushi1/


Artist blog – Tatsuki Day 3

Original Cultures – Day3

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I could eat this every day!

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Onushi, my famous dog!

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Me, Tayone and Davide.

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Tayone and his Serato set up.

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2tall’s stuff.

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And mine. Non c’e male!

Tatsuki – http://blog.livedoor.jp/onushi1/


Artist blog – 2tall day 2

Ok, so take one dangerously introspective bedroom based music producer who debates walking 5 minutes to sainsburys instead of taking the bus for 2 stops and drop him in Bologne and let him loose with other artists to create a selection of live material to be performed 5 days later.

We’ve been using our machines to work up something to play for Saturday’s show, not knowing how initially but gradually just allowing for it to take shape, learning each other’s capabilities and styles and pushing new ways of working so we can connect. The final product of which the reader will hear very soon.

The people here are so kind and welcoming it is overwhelming. It seems so natural for our hosts to be so kind and to keep giving so much that I find it difficult not to overthank them!

To quote Will Barras, everything here is just a level up. And it’s true, even the crisps taste better!

There are not many places i’ve seen that have such a laid back feel for a city, but also it seems that it’s been “lived in” so much that it seems that even the buildings have some kind of inherent wisdom to them, almost like they soaked up the experiences of those that lived and worked in them.

We are playing in a old theater that I believe was once a nunnery, it’s homely and even our rehearsal room is as welcoming as the people in the morning.

Anyway enough romantisising about painted plaster, I have to get some sleep, last day of tightening up the show tomorrow, where we expect Bruno Briscik and his cello to come and add some extra skill to our already colourful manifestation.

P.S: the ice cream is just incredible. not to mention the great simplicity of the wonderful home cooked food we are treated to every day by the magic “jesus feeds the five thousand”-esque talents of Lisa.

Bless!

2tall / Om Unit – dj2tall.com


Artist blog – Tatsuki Day 2.1

Original Cultures – Bonus chapter aka Food and The City

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This is how it should be done!

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Every lunch and dinner we all eat together, staff and artists, Italian style!

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Artist blog – Tatsuki Day 2

Original Cultures – Day 2

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Bologna is an amazing town!

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Italian ice cream makes the day, pistachio flavour rocks!

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We had a press conference for the project in a music museum.

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Here’s a picture I took during my speech at the press conference. I did the speech in Italian, but I told a little lie… my grandfather wasn’t really a ninja, sorry!

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The museum already had a small exhibit of some of our work. There was a picture featuring my music and art from Will Barras, it made us look grande!

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Here it is, my music and Will’s artwork.

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Italy’s representative, Tayone.

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And this is England’s 2tall. We cut it up fresh altogether!

Tatsuki x 2tall – drum freestyle from Original Cultures on Vimeo.

もういっちょ!

Tayone x Tatsuki x 2tall – soundcheck improv from Original Cultures on Vimeo.

たつき - http://blog.livedoor.jp/onushi1/


Artist blog – Tatsuki Day 1

Original Cultures is starting. I’ve come to Bologna. This is day 1.

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I’ve come to Bologna for a week. I’m amazed by the city so far.

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The view from our flat. I love Bologna.

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Fresher than fresh, we’re working in a 500 year old building!

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I’ve been taking in the historical feel of the city. There are no Starbucks here, fake coffee doesn’t exist in Italy.

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Amazing night!

たつき - http://blog.livedoor.jp/onushi1/