Discordance VII is proud to have Jason Kahn who is visiting us all the way from Switzerland. His approach to modular synthesis is very interesting and physical. He’ll be performing some quadraphonic pieces for this one. Up next is local composer Robert Blatt who will be performing some microtonal pieces for classical guitar. Interestingly enough Robert’s work usually involves paper, spoken word, wind, field recordings and stones. Very earthen and cerebral. So this will be an interesting departure. And finally the show will open with a trio which will include an improvisational piece by Caspar Sonnet (lap steel) Lee Elderton (clarinet) and Daniel Surprenant (pump organ, stones) 

IMPORTANT: Doscordance VII will be held at The Ivon House (4005 SE Ivon st, 97202) St. Philip Neri has closed its doors for live performances due to noise complaints, etc. So the series will be held in various areas from here on out, covid consideration included. The Ivon House will also have beverages and snacks outside for guests. Donation based. 

A bit more about Jason:

Born 1960 in New York, Jason Kahn is a musician, artist and writer. He lives in Zürich.

As an electronic musician, guitarist, vocalist and percussionist Kahn collaborates with many international musicians in the context of free improvised music. He has also composed numerous electro acoustic pieces and graphical scores written for specific groups and musicians. His work can be heard on over two hundred solo, collaborative and compilation releases.

Kahn’s installations and interventions have been shown in museums, galleries, art spaces and public sites internationally. These works focus on the idea of space: the conceptual and physical juncture points, its production and dissolution, and our relation to it as a political, social and environmental medium.

Kahn’s written work has appeared in books, magazines and as liner notes to many audio publications. He has published four books: “Infinity Suite” (2020), “Voice and Sky” (2018), “Space Text Sound” (2017) and “In Place” (2015).

Kahn’s other activities include sound pieces for radio, film, dance and theater. He has also designed numerous CD, LP and cassette covers.

Kahn has performed and exhibited work in the United States, Europe, Argentina, Australia, Egypt, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, Turkey, Singapore, South Africa and Taiwan.

May 11th, 2022 — 7pm
$10-$20, sliding scale
KEX HOTEL (BASEMENT)
100 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232

DISCORDANCE VI

Discordance and Unseen Force is happy to host both EVICSHEN (Victoria Shen) and REDNECK for an unforgettable harsh noise event at the church! Both artists are tops in their game. Local support will include Elastic Energy Ensemble which will include a video collaboration/installation by Jonah Lange. Sparkling beverages and ear plugs to be provided by the house. 

EVICSHEN

Victoria Shen is a sound artist, experimental music performer, and instrument-maker based in San Francisco. Shen’s sound practice is concerned with the spatiality/physicality of sound and its relationship to the human body. Her music features analog modular synthesizers, vinyl/resin records, and self-built electronics. Eschewing conventions in harmony and rhythm in favor of extreme textures and gestural tones, Shen uses what she calls “chaotic sound” to oppose signal and information, eluding traditionally embedded meaning.

REDNECK

In 1996, a strange figure emerged from the backwoods of Kelso, Washington and trudged to Portland, Oregon. This infamous being — who came to be known as REDNECK — soon began appearing at houses, basements, and warehouses all over the area assaulting audiences with the harsh noise of his harsh reality. The sounds rattling around inside REDNECK‘s twisted head come to life at punishing volume, as field recordings of chopping wood and breaking glass are amplified and distorted beyond comprehension. And REDNECK‘s nightmare soundtrack manifests in frighteningly physical performances.

EEE

Elastic Energy Ensemble features duo Derrick Spots:(electronics) and Eren Guney (Tape) delivering analog rips and tears leveling structures into dizzying waste particles and sonic detritus. A noise like nonother. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 

May 4th, 2022 — 7pm
$10-$20, sliding scale
KEX HOTEL (Basement)
100 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232

Extradition’s Spring Concert 2022 presents five works by an international, multigenerational group of women composers: Leaven Community Center – SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2022 AT 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM PDT

> Lauren Redhead, Lines That Have Been Drawn on Photographs of Sculpture (2011), performed by Lee Elderton (soprano saxophone), Catherine Lee (oboe d’amore), Collin Oldham (cello), and Caspar Sonnet (lap steel)

> Melissa Vargas Franco, Ningún Nombre es Verdadero (2014), performed by Matt Carlson (piano)

> Ioanna Valsamara, 66 Ways to Look Above (The Sky Isn’t Silent) (2021), performed by Matt Carlson (electronics), Lee Elderton (soprano saxophone), and Collin Oldham (cello)

> Emmanuelle Waeckerle, A Direction Out There: Readwalking (with) Thoreau (2021), performed by Stephanie Lavon Trotter (voice) and Juniana Lanning (electronics)

> Annea Lockwood, Spirit Catchers (1974), performed by Douglas Detrick, Tim DuRoche, Juniana Lanning, and Stephanie Lavon Trotter (voices)

Barring significant changes in the COVID environment, we request that all guests remain masked for the duration of the event.

April 20th, 2022 — 7pm
$10-$20, sliding scale
KEX HOTEL (BASEMENT)
100 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232

We’re excited to feature San Francisco sound artist/percussionist Kevin Corcoran. This show will also feature local improvisational artists, Jean-Paul Jenkins and Mark E Kaylor performing as a duo. Opening event will be Joshua Tenenbaum’s interestingly textural project d°rifle.  

Kevin Corcoran works with percussion, field recordings and electronics with an open interest in sound as medium as it moves through contexts of music, art, communication and place.

As a percussionist he is focused on techniques which extend the sonic possibilities of the instrument by emphasizing textural sound, friction, sympathetic vibration, sustained tones and the use of found objects with an interest in freely arranging events in duration rather than marking time by rhythm. Whether working in sparse sound with a single drum and cymbal or frenetic contexts on the drum kit, improvisation is crucial to his practice as a generative method and non-hierarchical exchange of ideas.

Through field recordings he observes and interacts with sites and objects with specific interests in abandoned architecture, urban excess, and intersections of infrastructure and open space. Electronic sound features in his work through the use of cassette tapes, computer software, feedback systems and various means of amplification.

Based in San Francisco, California, he collaborates across disciplines and borders having performed in the United States, Europe, Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan with musicians, dancers, filmmakers, writers and visual artists. In addition to making live and recorded sound and music, he has exhibited sound installations and experimental video works.

March 23rd, 2022 — 7pm
$10-$20
KEX Hotel (Basement)
100 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232

Curated by Rose Moore and Caspar Sonnet. Conducted by Rose Moore:

Myles M., floor tom, Kadi Rae Smith  – voice, Angela S. –  sax/sampler, Seth Wright – bass synth, Adrian Snyder – drums, Caspar Sonnet/Garrett Brown – prepared guitars, John Walsh – acoustic guitar, Vern Avola – synth, Sam Klickner – prepared concert bass drum, Rose Moore conducting. 

May 18th, 2022 — 8pm
$20-$25
The Old Church Concert Hall
1422 SW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97201, USA