A Soundtrack to the DSM-IV

Coming this November, one of the most ambitious projects yet from the Output:Noise collective. 
"For this compelling release, the Output:NOISE Improv Collective assembled at the Gallery at Potential Life Studios in Rochester, NY to record one of their most ambitious conceptual performances: a fully improvised score directly influenced by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV)."
Pre-order now, and for a limited time you can get an 11x17 print. Order at http://outputnoise.com/DSM

Output Noise Document 15

Available exclusively through subscription at http://outputnoise.com Document 15 showcases several duets ranging from ambient beauty to harsh soundscapes. Another stellar entry in the expanding O:N discography. I am featured on guitar on one of the tracks. Major props go once more to Jeremy and Colleen on putting together another fantastic set of music.

Thud-Lice Before Lies

A new 100% serious harsh noise project (although there are downbeat and meditative moments)-Thud is an outlet for sticking fingers into. Recorded entirely live without overdubs. The Power of Thud compels you-Choose Lice Before Lies.
http://www.archive.org/details/Thud-liceBeforeLies
Free download.

Matt Henshaw-Letter

New piece, recorded last evening, about 25 minutes of completely improvised, live guitar playing. I am putting this out to the larger world "noise" community as well as local friends to cut up, re-mix, re-contextualize as they see fit. Perhaps this will give me some new ideas as well. All I ask is to give me credit and access to the track(s) you come up with.
Thanks as always for listening.


  Letter by getoutofjailfree

Matthew Henshaw-Vicious Garden

New solo release. After several months of recording, I took the time to put together this release. It is a big one-well over an hour and a half, touching on a variety of styles. I'm quite happy with the results, and hope you will be too. This is available for download from http://www.archive.org/details/MatthewHenshaw-viciousGarden or you can play it from that website as well. For some samples from the album, check out http://soundcloud.com/getoutofjailfree/vicious-garden-excerpt or http://soundcloud.com/getoutofjailfree/full-race-excerpt 

Dr. Burley Henshaw's Case File #5 The Case of The Bat Under The Sink By Dr. Burley B. Henshaw, Licensed Therapist and dog

Dr. Burley Henshaw's Case File #5

The Case of The Bat Under The Sink

By Dr. Burley B. Henshaw, Licensed Therapist and dog

A thrilling page turner written by Matt's stuffed dog who is also a therapist! You will be stunned and shocked by this, Get Out Of Jail Free Music's first e-book offering. $5 gets you a word document of 10 pages filled with colorful pictures and great writing. Suitable for children aged 18-45.

Urknee and Birdtone Russell-Smorg Is Bored

Two of my favorite people to collaborate with have released a whopping 2CD live document of 2009 performances. I join them on several tracks, including the controversial "Ballad of Hollis Mouse". Rick does most of the writing, and his poetry is abstract and lovely. Mike plays various instruments and is a sympathetic improviser. To procure your copy, get in touch with Mike at jonmacrae2002 .a.t. ya-hooooo fullstop com, I am not sure how much he is charging, but given the quality and quantity of performances it is worth checking out.

Bolide & NPV Octet - Split CDr

From UK label Chocolate Monk comes a split with NPV-if memory serves me correctly this is from the Halloween show last year. I played very noisy guitar and bass, and it might be a little buried in the mix. Hear a sample at their website http://chocolatemonk.co.uk/available.htm where you can also purchase a copy for about 10 bucks.

CRKD

An hour of new music.The first piece is me trying to move slow and create a meditative bed of sound. The second piece is chaotic, but I think also has meditative value of its own. Both use a couple of new devices that I recently acquired. I hope you find them an interesting listen-available free to download from http://www.archive.org/details/MattHenshaw-crkd

STRNG

New music: STRNG is a new conceptual project where  the performer is limited to creating sound from one string, be it on a guitar or stretched in a physical space. I was quite pleased with how this ended up, and hopefully I can turn it into a short live set, possibly with other STRNG players. Available for free download at http://www.archive.org/details/STRNG

Milk of Minutia Interview

Milk of Minutia is a weekly podcast dedicated to analysis of entertainment, interviews with people from many walks of life, and music that you might not otherwise hear about. Their latest episode was a call in where I got to talk to hosts Ken and Justin at length about music-producer Audrey also had excellent insights. Go here to listen http://www.blogtalkradio.com/minutia/2010/04/23/episode-9-w-you and I strongly encourage listening to their archive for some good laughs and conversations. If you are an iTunes user please give them a review as well.

Update

Hey now-just home from the INC which was quite good. I was glad to see friends from the scene here. I've been absent lately, mostly due to the ESM Gamelan ensemble-our concert is Monday April 26 at 8PM at Kilbourn Hall. $18 gets you in for a great show with costumes, dancing, and of course music!
Hopefully in the coming months I can get out to play some more-my goal this summer is to do a couple of collaborations with friends in the scene. If you are interested drop me a line and hopefully we can set a time up to work on some ideas. Solo music has been slow-another goal is to get a CD of material prepared for some kind of release. Some irons are still in the fire-an (archival) Urknee and Bjurton Live 2CD is due out soon, a couple of compilations may still be in the works, and an supporting cast member role on a soon to be released NPV CD coming out on Chocolate Monk records in the UK. One more 'project' which may manifest itself-STRNG. Thanks for stopping by, and I always welcome comments!

NPV-Accidental Paradox

Killian over at http://damagedoutreachrecords.blogspot.com has put out a recording of the mighty NPV titled Accidental Paradox. There are 40 of these bad boys out there, if you don't get to see NPV live (and you should make all efforts to) strongly consider supporting them and the label by buying a copy. I was fortunate to join them for this set, so check it out. NPV can be found at http://www.myspace.com/npvmusic

Vertical Consequences

Over an hour of new music touching on various styles, from noise to more serene ambience. All freely improvised and recorded live to tape. Trying a different way to get it out for people to listen to-I have posted this on last.fm where you can listen to and download the tracks for free. If you wish to procure a physical copy-try before you buy, and then make a reasonable offer to me. This will be packaged as a CD-R, in a plastic slip case, then wrapped in duct tape, cut up audio tape, and finally cellophane tape for an unique tactile experience. You will need to cut open the packaging to get to the CD-R. Thanks for listening-as always your comments are welcome!

Listen and download here: http://www.last.fm/music/Matt+Henshaw/Vertical+Consequences

ONDOC008

I am excited, as always, to be included in the latest release from Output Noise (please to be visiting their website at http://www.outputnoise.com for subscription information). Other releases I appear on remain available from them, please support their admirable endeavors. I am grateful to Jeremy and Colleen, and of course the other musicians, for their efforts. On this recording I appear on track 5, which is only a couple of minutes. It is noteworthy to mention I do not play guitar on this track, but drums. The other performances are also stellar, as is typical of the high quality of the NR series of CDs. Again, please visit their website and consider becoming a subscriber.
In other news, briefly, my performance with Joe (actually John Horner) on his day tour was successful. Much thanks to Joe, John, and Cameron (for his assist with the amp and effects). My performance at the House of Hamez the following day was also a success-in spite of scaring off the 'folkies', which isn't all that bad a thing actually. Much gratitude to James and best of luck to him in securing a new venue. Thanks also to the folks that showed up and listened, and especially Ed Downey who played the last ten minutes with me and helped bring an eerie and ambient end to the set.
I always remain interested in opportunities to play live, solo or with others, so feel free to contact me as you see fit.
I am participating with the gamelan ensemble at ESM this year, after a hiatus. This is an excellent group of musicians, as well as people and I am thrilled to be back.
More releases loom on the horizon, you'll hear about them here as they become more concrete. Thanks for listening and be well.

Live Actions upcoming

Hey now all, a couple of programs to tell you about. Joe is doing his Day Tour again on Saturday-it should be an excellent day of music. I will be performing with him sometime between 4 and 5PM at Cobbs Hill Reservoir. More info about the day tour can be found here-please try to make it out and support the local scene.
http://joe.carbonrecords.com/day-tour/
Then on Sunday I will be playing a solo set at 5PM as part of Mezapalooza at The House of Hamez. A link to the site is over at the right. James, the owner, makes delicious foods and could really use whatever business you can give him.
Thanks to Joe and James for giving me a chance to play out.
Possible releases coming in the near future...stay tuned.

In other music news

Hey everyone, I have been gone a couple of months, in the process of moving-hence not a lot of new things musically. All of my stuff is still available, still the pay what you want deal (or free from various labels and websites). Coming up soon is a track I contributed to the No Tone project curated by Ian Downey of Rochester. Also a track on an upcoming Carbon records compilation of Rochester noise artists. The Gallery has now closed it doors, sad to see it go, but happy for the curators moving on to bigger and better things. I participated in a couple of recording sessions for them which may see the light of day soon. And of course I have some music I have been sitting on for several months which will get released at some point. If I end up playing out anywhere I will try putting it up here. Stay well

Output Noise Document 6 Release

Been a little while since I have posted here, with moving and everything. I neglected to put this up, this is the newest Output Noise release, number 6 for those who are counting. I am on tracks 1 and 2-there is some very sympathetic listening and playing going on throughout the disc, and will reward careful listening. This is available by going to http://www.outputnoise.com . Consider getting a subscription, as the curators need support to continue to release sessions like these.

That Which Transpires

When you have nothing to do on a Friday night-record a new CD. This one is a little more "in the weeds" as King Buzzo would say. Track divisions are a little arbitrary-this is best digested as a whole piece. The aim was to create pieces that utilized repetition, drone, non-idiomatic improvisation, and minimalism for something "different". If you find yourself drifting then this is a good thing. Available free for download from http://www.archive.org/details/ThatWhichTranspires or hand packaged in a bubble wrap sleeve with title and tracklisting papers.

Listen I Like You

I recorded this new EP this morning as part of the Album-A-Day project at http://crapart.spacebar.org/aad/ which Ryne at Memory Wave Transmission was kind enough to tell me about. This is far different from the last set of recordings; listen to at a low volume for best results. It has been an idea for some time for me to dedicate an album to all the women I've known, and it seemed appropriate for this set. If your name isn't on the list, that doesn't mean you were not a part of the inspiration here-everyone matters after all in spite of the artist's sometimes faulty memory. Thanks for listening and comments as always are welcome. This is another FREE album to download from http://www.archive.org/details/ListenILikeYou .

I Stay In I Move Out

Given the changes I am undergoing-I find the title very ironic now. The attentive listener may be able to determine the source of both of these tracks. No hints from me-but once you have ideas and share them with me I will surely appreciate your input, then I'll fill you in on the process. Not enough? The re/depression got you down? What if I told you this cd was available for FREE!! My good friends at Love Torture Records take in an enormous volume of new, strange, heavy, dark music and put it all up for free on archive. They also include the art work if you want to make your own packaging. Click on the link for Love Torture Records in the right hand column and this is LTR 182. Huge thanks go to Dave who encouraged me to submit some work for an upcoming compilation (an edited version of track 2). I hope it makes you think and you enjoy it-as always I welcome any input. More to come soon!

Output Noise Document 3 Release

Fans of avant-garde music would do well to check out the newest release from the Gallery of Potential Life Studios. Every Sunday, Jeremy and Colleen host a night of electroacoustic improvisation, Output:NOISE. Musicians from a variety of backgrounds come and play without a net. Nothing is discussed beforehand-everyone just listens and plays. Jeremy, in addition to contributing on electronics, also records each session. He then reviews the performances and selects the very best for release. This is document 3-the first two are also available and excellent. This release includes performance elements of mine, playing bass and guitar. Here are my notes from the evening:
"No music when I got there. Figured I would start on bass. Ariel played drums and Jeremy electronics. It was OK-kind of kraut-rockish. My fingers started killing me. Then Rob (gtr) and Tera(vox) show up and we wrap the piece Ariel and I did. Then we did a swinging tune which I thought was quite neat sounding. The Greg (banjo and saw) showed up and I sat out for much of what they played because my fingers were in such pain, but I did join in at the end mostly scraping. Piece ends and I switch over to guitar. Simple/gentle F# minor melody comes to my fingers. I begin looping, etc., then just back to the simple melody. Greg starts playing saw-so sympathetic. I was hoping this would be the direction it took. Tera added very lovely voice to it, and Rob did little melodic bits. Greg switches to banjo. Ariel joins lightly after about 10 minutes. I lose track of time, my fingers hurt a lot but I keep playing. Switched to chord randomly just to keep things interesting. Played a short solo, right back to the head. The music decays into noisiness for the last 5 minutes. Really excellent piece though-I could tell people were digging it. I am hopeful it will end up on a future release. This makes the pain I am in now worth it-my own meditation work."
In addition to this session, there is also a segment from another evening featuring the sublime horns of Ed Downey and Ed Buscemi. I have had the good fortune to play with them (tonight both of them) and both are incredible players.
So head over to http://www.potentiallifestudios.com -you can secure your copy through a subscription to the gallery. For only 50 bucks you get this and future output noise releases and other goodies. Jeremy and Colleen can only continue to make things like this possible with support from the community. They are also still selling my solo CD "Light Slows Down" for 7 dollars-and all funds from that go directly to the Gallery. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and if you check it out I'll be interested to hear your thoughts!

Update

Hey now-just a reminder that 'Light Slows Down' is still available from the Gallery of Potential Life Studios, and 'Twilight Year' remains a free download from Twilight Luggage-links are to the right. I hope folks that read this have a really wonderful holiday. Coming up in the new year, a couple of tracks for two really interesting compilations and a couple more solo releases slated for the first half of '09. Cheers everyone!

Twilight Year

This will be my last release for the year, and for some time. I don't think I have ever been so blessed creatively as this year. To be sure there were a number of trials to overcome, but part of that work has helped the music out so much. I am truly very glad to be gradually widening the list of considerate listeners and hope you will keep following me down the path. My releases have seen progressively better distribution areas, from handing out samplers at NPV shows, to starting this blogsite, to Light Slows Down which is still available for $7 all going to the Gallery of Potential Life (go to link in the side bar), and now a release through Norweigian Net-Label Twilight Luggage (link is to the side). I have been slowly getting word out to various labels with some of my work, and Hans and Andreas were very excited by it. Andreas created this amazing artwork (it could be a poster!) and it is available for FREE download exclusively through their website. While you are there please check out the other artists who range from dark ambient to full on harsh noise, and consider making a small donation so they can continue to produce amazing art. I am so humbled to be part of their roster, and hopefully people around the world can now get into some of my music.

Live 10/24/2008

Joe from Carbon Records and many different groups was kind enough to photograph and record the solo set I did on 10/24. I am pretty critical of my playing, but for something that was primarily improvised I think it came out alright. One of the pieces will be appearing in a different/improvised manner on a future recording, the rest were completely improvised in and for the moment. This gives a pretty good idea of my playing style, and I'll look forward to playing out again in the future. Thanks again to Joe, The Gallery of Potential Life Studios, and the other performers from the evening. Enjoy and share as you see fit.
http://www.archive.org/details/MattHenshawLive_24102008

Unfurled

Another harsh enigmatic release. No need to "bring the noise" as this 75+ minute piece has plenty to share. Not recommended for those close to losing sanity. A sample is available here for your observation: http://www.archive.org/details/MattHenshawUnfurled . As with my other noisier releases, I leave it up to each listener to conclude what they wish about instrumentation and themes. Suggested volume setting at "close to intolerable".
Hand-assembled, packaged in a DVD case then "mummified" in an atrocious tie!
Read a review here http://memorywavetransmission.wordpress.com/2009/06/07/matt-henshaws-unfurled-finally/

Light Slows Down

New CD available exclusively from The Gallery of Potential Life Studios. I've been participating in some really intense and interesting sessions on Sunday nights with the curator (Jeremy) and other musicians. I approached Jeremy about doing a release exclusively through them and all of the proceeds going directly to the gallery. He was quite enthusiastic about this, agreeing to handle the art side which I am blown away happy with. On the musical end, you are getting over an hour of new music touching on a variety of forms and moods; here you'll find drone, noise, and more melodic work-recorded entirely live and mostly improvised with quite a bit of post-production (some of this too was actually improvised). This is a really special release to me, and I hope you will visit the Gallery's website, http://www.potentiallifestudios.com, and remember that purchasing the cd directly and completely supports this great facility. Much thanks again to Jeremy and Colleen for their art design contributions and their support!

Buying my CDs now cheaper and more convenient

Hi everyone-I am excited to announce that I am set up to accept Paypal transactions for purchasing CDs. With this change I am also going to revise my pricing structure. First a brief word on how Paypal works. It does "cost" me a little to accept Paypal (specifically 1.9% to 2.9% + $0.30 USD of every transaction). Keeping this in mind, CDs are now for sale at a price you choose. That's right, much like Radiohead and NIN have successfully implemented this year, you choose what you pay for my CDs! So when you know what you want to buy, head over to Paypal and send your payment to "thebizzle76@yahoo.com", be sure you include the CD or CDs you want to order as well where to send the order to. Once funds have been received I'll follow up with you as far as what you ordered and when I ship it out. Remember that I do everything myself, so your patience is really appreciated, but I should be able to turn orders around in a matter of days. It probably costs me in total about $3.00 per cd, so you can use that as a "floor" if you'd like. Your consideration and fairness in doing business this way will help determine how much more music I can produce and get out to people. Thank you very much!