Gary plays the beautiful trumpet parts that attracted so many visitors to Paul’s “Spit Valve” installation in the park. Based in Barrow, Gary plays with the Barrow Steelworks band, and was recommended to us by everyone we contacted in our search for an accompanist for Paul’s piece. Andrew, (Octopus Director) is a Brass player himself, and has copies of the LPS Gary made with the Shipyard Band a few years ago. Thanks again Gary for all your help.
Paul Rooney’s “Spit Valve” text, in which a pool of spittle in a Trumpet valve muses on the nature of its existence. Available from us for £5 and with a cd of Gary Abbott’s trumpet soundtrack, this is the first in our series of Octopus Editions. (“Editions Octopus”?) There’s also a version for our FON AIR radio PROJECT , with Paul reading the piece in our studio at Piel View House.
BBC R4′s Bob Dickinson (left) records the “Spit Valve” tech run during a visit to Octopus HQ in november. Bob is a smashing feller with family in Barrow and is putting together a programme looking at the impact of THE CUTS on Barrow’s arts organisations. We are more optimistic than we look. Good thing it’s radio.
Nov 28th, and Paul Rooney and Octopods meet their audience on a bright and chilly afternoon in Barrow Park for the launch of Paul’s” Spit Valve” installation. Kicking off at 1pm Paul and Gary Abbott’s music was looped at a sociable voliume for 3 hours, and visitors were given a copy of the the accompanying text to read while they listened. We met some nice people, had some good chats and heard some interesting comments…”very tranquil..” ” The fountain in the park lake looking down from the cenotaph made a deep connection with the music and seemed framed by the bandstand..”
Paul Rooney working with Barrow Trumpeter Gary Abbott during his residency at Octopus HQ Piel View House in Barrow Park. Paul produced a text and music piece, titled “Spit Valve” and available from us as a book and CD.
Our 2010 programme presented a series of residencies, performances, film screenings, commissions and artists talks spread over 12 months all with emphasis on developing a regular local audience for our events.
May
All Tomorrow’s Parties – film screening and collaborative Listening Session at Lanternhouse Ulverston.
Mogwai – Burning (with 44 Promotions) Film screening and Q+A at Lanternhouse.
Salon Event at Lanternhouse featuring Octopus turntable performances.
June
Salon event at Coniston Institute with Grizedale Arts.
July
Deck Wreckers – an evening of turntable based work, films and talks at Lanternhouse.
Lawson Park Open Gardens – Radio jingle workshop with Grizedale Arts.
August
AGF – live performance at Lanternhouse
Lorn (with 44 promotions) – Live performance with US electronic act at Lanternhouse Ulverston
September
Hildur Gudnadottir – live performance and film screening at Lanternhouse
December
Coniston farmers market and art fair – pop-up music shop with Grizedale Arts
Paul Rooney talks about his work and his plans for the Barrow Park piece to Foundation Students at Barrow Sixth Form College.
EAR: Chris Watson at Barrow In Furness Dock Museum, Oct 17 2010.
Sound Recordist and Musician Chris Watson gave a presentation to a large and receptive Sunday afternoon crowd at Barrow Dock Museum. Chris played some extraordinary recordings, including a passage of whalesong which caused a model of the HMS Duke Of Devonshire to vibrate in its glass case.
We had a typically wide ranging audience, including musicians, fans of experimental musIc and sound arts along with many who knew Chris’s work for the BBC and who left us plenty of positive feedback.. “..Excellent event – Great to find something like this in the area. Sparks off all sorts of creative ideas.”
EAR is an Education and Research project, funded by Arts Council, Barrow Regeneration and Barrow Borough Council. Many thanks to the staff of the Dock Museum.
