Brainwaves November 21-23 2008, Boston, MA
11.28.08 | No Comments

I just returned back from a weekend of deep listening in Boston. It was amazing to see my old Boston friends and meet some of my favorite musicians. I am thankful to Jon Whitney for putting this festival of strange and wonderful music.

The Brainwaves festival started on Friday sharply at 8pm with JG Thirlwell’s Manorexia project, a symphonic mix of strings and electronic sounds that sway from beautiful to haunting. Manorexia was the highlight of the Friday performances for me. JG Thirwell is a good friend of mine and I love the direction his music is going in these days. Each day Steven Stapleton of Nurse with Wound fame, played some songs in between acts. I was not sure why he did not perform in the festival but it was great to see him hanging around all weekend. I made it my mission to get to know him. I have been listening to the strange surreal music of Nurse with Wound for over 20 years. His is a kind and modest man. I learned that Stapleton is a shepherd living in the countryside of Ireland where he works on his music and art. When I asked him how many records he put out he said he had no idea. He may not know his own discography since 1979 but knows exactly how many sheep, chickens, and goats he has living on his farm.


The highlight for me was meeting Steven Stapleton/Nurse with Wound. Photo by Bryan

On Saturday I was most excited to see The Threshold HouseBoys Choir the new project of Peter Christopherson from Coil. His performance did not disappoint. I was super excited to meet him and shake his hand. Part of me wanted to go on and on about all how much I love his music, but I spared him what he already knows.

Threshold HouseBoys Choir

Little Annie AKA Annie Anxiety’s quirky cabaret performance of standards, was a nice break from all the experimental music. Little Annie has collaborated with Nurse with Wound, Marc Almond, Coil, and dozens of other people. She was like a gothic Edith Piaf on stage. Brainwaves ended on Sunday with a luscious dreamy performance by The Stars of the Lid. I saw them perform at a church in NYC a few months ago. Their Boston show was totally different but just as good.


Stars of the Lid


Lovely Video Projections at Brainwaves


Meat Beat Manifesto played a great set at Brainwaves but the whole time I was wondering of I was a decade too late on seeing them. Their sound might not have aged well but there were plenty of gorgeous video eye candy to keep me entertained.

Meat Beat Manifesto

Brainwaves 2008 Schedule
with DJ Steven Stapleton spinning between sets all weekend long.Friday, November 21, 2008
Meat Beat Manifesto
Silver Apples
JG Thirlwell’s Manorexia
Marissa Nadler
& a special Greater Than One video presentation

Saturday, November 22, 2008

His Name Is Alive
Gary Wilson
Rivulets feat. Jessica Bailiff
Major Stars
Nmperign feat. Jason Lescalleet
Glenn Jones

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Matmos
Threshold HouseBoys Choir
Little Annie
Reformed Faction (Mark and Robin of Zoviet France, Rapoon, Dead Voices On Air)
Andrew Liles & Jonathan Coleclough

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Stars of the Lid
To Kill A Petty Bourgeoisie
Boduf Songs
Lichens
Nudge
Strategy
Windy Weber (of Windy & Carl) & Thomas Meluch (of Benoit Pioulard)

All photos by Seze Devres
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