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!