Har$, Diktat, and unPublic

4/28/2018

About a year ago, I discovered the MOMA (Museum Of Microcassette Art) project, which definitely doesn't need an introduction, or does it? Now, I never listen first to what I buy. If the cover attracts me, or what is written about it (in this case by Hal), I just buy it. Most of the times, my feeling is correct and sometimes, well, I end up with crappy music (in general, I am not talking about MOMA).

One of the MOMA-recordings that didn't attract me at all was MOMA093, from HAR$, titled 'Sketches for String Quartet with Windows, Open'. But for some strange reason, I always got pulled back to reading about that recording, again and again, until I finally decided to give it a go. And I haven't regretted it at all! It quickly became one of my favorite MOMA-albums.

Another one of the MOMA-albums I kept postponing to buy is MOMA120, from Rinus van Alebeek, titled 'New Jerusalem'. There wasn't really a description of the record and the word 'Jerusalem' kinda scared me away also. But again, for some strange reason, I got pulled back again(maybe the orange cover) and I decided to buy it and once more... no regrets at all! It quickly became one of my favorite MOMA-albums.

Guess, what I want to tell about MOMA115? Yes, the one from Emmanuel Rébus, with no particular title... Indeed, the same story, no attraction at all... but I kept on going back until I finally decided to buy it and yes... It quickly became (and so on).

When something gets my attention, as the three previously mentioned albums did, I have the habit to learn/read more about the artists in question. And so, I found out that Harold Schellinx (HAR$), Rinus van Alebeek, Emmanuel Rébus and a fourth companion, Jean Bordé, make music together as DIKTAT and it is amazing! Mr. Bordé plays double bass and the three others play dictaphones! This is how Mr.Schellinx explains it himself: "If you would have the chance to hear Diktat play more often you will hear that the same voices and snippets of talking come back in a different setting." So, he doesn't see Diktat as a group that performs and performs, but as a piece of music that has different instantiations. Each time they perform, is a different instantiation of the piece DIKTAT.

If you think that I am finished with talking about Mr. Schellinx and companions... wrong! A while after my discovery of DIKTAT, I found out that he has this other thing going on, called 'unPublic'! He explains it himself as: "The only difference with a concert is, these are not concerts"... The first 'unPublic'-session they had was in Paris, on 18 October 2013. Again, the same names Jean Bordé (double bass, toy piano), Emmanuel Rébus (melodica, dictaphones), HAR$ (iPad/electronics, dictaphones) and joined by Doan Tri Minh (laptop/electronics, piano, toy piano) and Yoko Miura (toy piano, melodica, piano)... check it out! I love the concept and the music of course, judging by the unPublic Bandcamp account, I think I am their biggest fan (and almost only fan).

Here's what happens, they get together (France, Belgium, Switzerland, South Korea, ...) and they start playing/ improvising/jamming/recording, having their own little concert without a public, hence 'unPublic' and without rehearsals. Every 'unPublic' has other participants, the only returning artist on all sessions is HAR$. At the moment, I think there are 40 something albums available and I simply love every one of them. Other artists, appearing on these sessions are: Rinus van Alebeek, Anton Mobin, Jeff Kolar, Jeff Surak, ...

The point of my little story... not every story has to have a point!

You can read some more about HAR$:
www.harsmedia.com
unPublic Bandcamp site
Har$ Bandcamp

Have a nice day.

9 Comments

C. Goff III link

4/29/2018 11:39:14

I've heard some Diktat, and it definitely tickled my ears. I came that way via several interactions I've had with Rinus a few years ago. Although I'm sorry to say that I'm long overdue for some new interactions with Rinus, I'll point out that he's a really nice and interesting fellow, thoroughly devoted to cassette culture and sound art.

Rinus has got a rather large presence on Berlin's "Radio On," and hosts some intriguing shows there. For those who are unfamiliar, Radio On is a unique internet place that is well worth a visit (or several) from anyone, especially anyone who takes part of the Electronic Cottage. Both Lord Litter and Don Campau have shows at Radio On as well. I'm hoping Mr. van Alebeek will join us here at EC one day soon.

In the meantime, I recommend to one and all to check out Radio On at: http://www.radio-on-berlin.com/

And thanks Frank for posting this "little story." I think it has several points! All well worth a read.

Frank

4/29/2018 17:56:43

Thanks for the comment, Charles. I also think it would be nice to see/hear something from Rinus or HAR$ here. Both have written multiple things on the internet and/or magazines, so on EC would be great. I'll see if I can find something of Rinus on "Radio On".

William Davison link

4/29/2018 12:10:15

I've been following the work of these guys for awhile now and they are all up to some interesting stuff! The only one I've had any real contact with is Anton Mobin, who I was paired with in a Zan Hoffman release and then later met in Paris when I performed on his radio show. Would be great to see some of these guys here at EC! Thanks for mentioning their work here, Frank! It's well worth exploring.

4/29/2018 18:00:23

Thanks William! Any chance on getting a link to the work you did with Anton Mobin for the Zan Hoffman release??

4/29/2018 20:51:27

I think you meant this one?

zhpoa.blogspot.co.id/2010/12/prostitution-of-originality.html?m=1

4/29/2018 21:45:18

"Prostitution Of Originality", yes, that's the one.

4/29/2018 22:00:45

I don't seem to find any radio of it. It's supposed to be on Zeromoon or only released as cdr?

4/30/2018 09:41:11

"Prostitution Of Originality" was released as a CDr on Zan Hoffman's ZH27 label in 2010 - https://www.discogs.com/Prostitution-Of-The-Prostitution-Of-Originality/release/2615155

It's part of the "Prostitution Of..." series where Zan would ask people for sounds and then do his own mixes using those sounds. "Prostitution Of Originality" used sounds from me, Anton Mobin, and John Gore (a.k.a. Kirchenkampf).

You mentioned Zeromoon. That is Jeff Surak's label. Zan's label is ZH27. Jeff and Zan are friends and occasional collaborators, so some of Zan's music is on the Zeromoon label.

The radio show I mentioned is unrelated to the "Prostitution Of Originality" CDr. In 2013, I did a small European tour and, since I had stayed in touch with Anton, I asked him about possible shows in Paris. He was kind enough to have me perform on his radio show on Radio Libertaire. Here's some fun video documentation from my performance in the secret location of French anarchist radio - https://youtu.be/pKFhm_yDrVg

Hal McGee

4/30/2018 09:31:47

I have invited Harold Schellinx to join us at EC and to contribute articles, essays, etc. :)

Har$, Diktat, and unPublic

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