released September 2, 2013
SWIM THIS is:
Nick Didkovsky - guitar
Gerry Hemingway - drums, percussion and voice
Michael Lytle - bass & contra-bass clarinets, electronic music, bird call
recorded in 16 tracks at Harvestworks Studios, NYC,
on January 28, 2012, by Paul Howells
mixed at Elewhale Studios, NYC, in August, 2013, by Michael Lytle
Photographs by Jan Mun
You can find a full HD video (by Don Mount) of this set at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmUU_Pr5Spo&feature=c4-overview&list=UU0MRoIYg2VLoYyT8CzGv6Bw
We were quite happy for the opportunity to play and record at Harvestworks Digital Media Arts Center in Manhattan. Harvestworks is one of the finest organizations of it's kind in the United States. Founded in the late 70's, it has kept going and thrives today under the direction of Carol Parkinson, (many thanks, Carol) who has been there from the very beginning. "Harvestworks has helped a generation of artists create new works using technology. Our mission is to support the creation and presentation of art works achieved through the use of new and evolving technologies." Michael Lytle first played there in 1986 with another trio, Meltable Snaps it. (Cartwright/Lytle/Moss)
This set is particularly spacious then not.
NICK DIDKOVSKY is a guitarist, composer, and music software programmer. In 1983, he founded the rock band Doctor Nerve. In 1997 he developed the computer music language JMSL which he continues to develop and use today. His Punos Music record label releases his more extreme projects. He has composed new music for Bang On A Can All-Stars, Meridian Arts Ensemble, Fred Frith Guitar Quartet, loadbang, ETHEL, ARTE Quartett, and others. His compositions and guitar work appear on over 50 records. His Black Sabbath guitar lessons on YouTube are enjoyed by metal fans all over the world. His $100 Guitar Project passed a guitar through the hands of over 60 players worldwide, culminating in a CD on Bridge Records. Website:
www.didkovsky.com
MICHAEL LYTLE (aka elewhale), MA, University of Iowa, has been a New Music Improvisor since 1968. He has performed with William Parsons, Karl Berger, George Cartwright, Garette List, David Moss, John Zorn, Nick Didkovsky, Hans Burgener, Martin Schutz, Gerry Hemingway, Mark Dresser, Eyal Maoz, Mari Kimura, Robert Dick and has been involved in over 30 recordings since the 5* rated Iowa Ear Music of 1976. In solo, projects with Karl Berger and Hans Burgener, as a member of Nick Didkovsky's band "Dr. Nerve" and a co-founder with Didkovsky & Hemingway of "Swim This", he has played in festivals and venues all over the world. An early Electronic Music composer, Lytle invented the set of totally unique methods of clarinet family sonic modulation and performance, called the “most radical of his generation” by Joachim Berendt.
www.elewhale.net
GERRY HEMINGWAY has been making a living as a composer and performer of solo and ensemble music since 1974. He has led a number of quartet & quintets since the mid 80’s including his current quintet with Ellery Eskelin, Oscar Noriega, Terrence McManus and Kermit Driscoll as well collaborative groups with Mark Helias & Ray Anderson (BassDrumBone) celebrating its 34th anniversary in 2011, w/Reggie Workman and Miya Masaoka on koto (Brew), Georg Graewe & Ernst Reijseger, recently celebrating its twentieth anniversary (GRH trio), WHO trio with Swiss pianist, Michel Wintsch and bassist, Baenz Oester, as well as numerous duo projects with Thomas Lehn, John Butcher, Ellery Eskelin, Marilyn Crispell, Terrence McManus and Jin Hi Kim. Mr. Hemingway is a Guggenheim fellow and has received numerous commissions for chamber and orchestral work including "Terrains", a concerto for percussionist and orchestra commissioned by the Kansas City Symphony. He also been involved in songwriting documented in the CD “Songs” produced by Between the Lines as well as his collaboration with John Cale. He is well known for his eleven years in the Anthony Braxton Quartet and more recently his duo with Anthony “Old Dogs (2007)” released on Mode/Avant. His many collaborations with some of the world’s most outstanding improvisers and composers include Evan Parker, Cecil Taylor, Mark Dresser, Anthony Davis, George Lewis, Derek Bailey, Leo Smith, Oliver Lake, Kenny Wheeler, Frank Gratkowski, Michael Moore and many others. His rich musical history, collaborations, performances and recordings are all amply documented on his extensive website:
www.gerryhemingway.com. He currently lives in Switzerland having joined the faculty of the Hochschule Luzern in 2009.
