_u n d e r c o v e r c o r o n e r_

using the set of cards known as ‘oblique strategies’ tony and bobby have collectively conjured the ‘undercover coroner’. to commence this summoning of the coroner’s spirit, the two vessels of chicago-land crafted a method of card-based musical free-improvisation. tony and bobby consulted these oblique strategies and devised a set of groups under which the cards were subjectively classified:

card groups:
1. rhythm, pacing, linear time
2. performance action based instruction
3. structural: embellishment or elimination
4. timbral, tone
5. motivic development
6. transitionary, re-adjustments
7. mood, interpretation
8. abstract metaphor
9. instrument alteration

once classification was solidified, the outlines of the project were drawn up. the blueprints consisted of three improvisation oriented tracks total; each track containing a ‘base’ improvisation and an ‘overdub’ improvisation. for the base, two tracks of improvisation would be performed under the instruction of cards drawn from the codified card groups, and one track performed with complete freedom. similarly, two out of three overdub tracks were card based, but the improvisations were organized in such a way that each track would have a different combination of card based improvisation vs. free improvisation. instrument choices for each of the improvisations were all predetermined; then, tony and bobby would separately choose three cards from within each of the nines group of which they believed exemplified the direction of the impending improvisation. once the cards had been drawn, the two compared decisions and created a list of recurring cards. the overlapping drawn cards would then serve as the outline of the improvisation to follow. Prior to each recording, tony and bobby partook in a session of transcendental meditation. again, each card set was drawn only just before the improvisation commenced, and became as follows:

Drawn Cards:
you just missed him: base
· free

overdubs:
• remember those quiet evenings
• imagine the music as a set of disconnected events
• mechanize something idiosyncratic
• you can only make one dot at a time
• accretion
• don't be frightened of clichés
• disciplined self indulgence
• go slowly around the outside

phasing from one reality into another: base
• balancing the inconsistency principle with the consistency principle
• courage!
• short circuit...
• mute and continue
• use an unacceptable color
• spectrum analysis
• imagine the music as a moving chain or caterpillar
• make a blank valuable by putting it in an exquisite frame
• a line has two sides

overdubs:
· free


right as rain, as usual: base
• do the washing up
• make a sudden, destructive unpredictable action; incorporate
• idiot Glee
• decorate, decorate
• use filters
• look at the order in which you do things
• cascades
• tidy up
• breathe more deeply

overdubs:
• imagine the music as a moving chain or caterpillar
• imagine the music as a set of disconnected events
• water
• spectrum analysis
• don't be frightened of clichés
• overtly resist change
• is the tuning appropriate?
• abandon normal instruments
• give the game away

The ‘base’ improvisations consisted of ca. 20+ minute improvisation either free or card based. This base was then cut down to ca. 10 minutes, preserving the linearity of the performance. Thereafter, overdub cards were drawn in reference to the condensed base musical material. Each base was complimented by three separate overdub sessions under the same umbrella of cards; the separate overdubs consisted of two 10+ minute improvisations recorded, then cut, again preserving linearity.
Often times overdub sessions would spill over the initial time of the base improvisation, such surpluses were implemented as a part of the transitionary material between the three main tracks.

Additionally, two experimental practices provided further segueing material. The first of which involved cutting 'micro-loops' from the collective sessions; sections of sound between ca. 0.5 sec - and ca. 2.0 seconds were spliced from the projects and amalgamated into a separate project folder where they were superimposed, looped, and volume automated.
The second procedure implemented time-stretching of the project; each track was transformed to last about 12 times as long as at normal speed,( i.e. 10 minutes becomes 120 minutes). Thereafter, these time-stretched tracks were treated with a combination of condensement, looping, and superimposition, much like the formerly mentioned experimental practice.
Various field recordings harvested during the coroner’s construction were also applied in transition sections. In addition, an array of spoken-word samples were injected throughout the project as a whole. At last, once the sonic nature of it was near complete, the true essence of ‘the undercover coroner’ began to reveal itself to tony and bobby, and thus the derived explanation of deeper meaning in this set of sounds was documented, recited, and incorporated into the project.

The performers and instruments for each track were as follows:
_______________________________________________________
‘You just missed him’
_______________________________________________________
Base:
Drums - tony
Piano - bobby
Overdub I:
Bass - tony
Alto sax - bobby
Overdub II:
Electric guitar - tony
Synthesizer - bobby
Overdub III:
Acoustic guitar - tony
Violin - bobby
_______________________________________________________
‘Phasing from one reality into another’
_______________________________________________________
Base:
Drums - tony
Electric guitar - bobby
Overdub I:
Electric guitar - tony
Bass - bobby
Overdub II:
Synthesizer - tony
Alto sax - bobby
Overdub III:
Theremin - tony
Piano - bobby
_______________________________________________________
‘Right as rain, as usual’
_______________________________________________________
Base:
Electric guitar - tony
Drums - bobby
Overdub I:
Bass - tony
Synthesizer - bobby
Overdub II:
Viola - tony
Clarinet - bobby
Overdub III:
Percussion - tony
Piano - bobby
_______________________________________________________
‘you just missed him’
_______________________________________________________

the coroner is like a –
it’s not just a metaphor… it’s – an essence
that resides all around us (and within) – as a sort of unconscious universality…

and there are moments when we feel it’s presence
without really knowing – what it is, we are feeling…

and that’s what makes it undercover…
that’s what makes it the undercover coroner.

_______________________________________________________
‘phasing from one reality to another’
_______________________________________________________

unlike the ‘medical examiner, that deals with – the body
the—‘coroner’, in this sense, is more so associated with a will and
an unconscious opposition to that will, which creates a balance

and in any dualistic relationship, it is possible for one to overtake another –

therefore, this ‘coroner’s’ role is then to confirm or deny
whether or not –
the will to an action—or, thought… and subsequent reaction
(or expected outcome)

is in fact…still, in tact
_______________________________________________________
‘right as rain, as usual’
_______________________________________________________

And so –
much like the importance of embracing one’s own ‘shadow self’ to fully comprehend the psyche –
it’s of equal significance to ‘turn head’ towards the sky
where the sun is not setting in all it’s beauty -
and recognize the essence there, that is this ‘coroner’
which has the last say in whether or not that sun rises again…

and then to meet it, head on – with the intention of upholding –
day after day… the – ‘life force’ of the will.


Lyrical recitations:
_______________________________________________________
‘you just missed him’
_______________________________________________________
there’s a boring blue horizon
out – to the east
spirits, convalesce – unnoticed
heads never turn
they just missed him, again

_______________________________________________________
‘phasing from one reality to another’
_______________________________________________________

behind red caves of opening eyes
there’s something steeper [than the night]
can’t blow it’s cover – until it’s over
phasing from one reality, into another
feelings fell on their own faces
into the foreground of this plane
to find god in the pavement

_______________________________________________________
‘right as rain, as usual’
_______________________________________________________


everything is green
until he’s born backwards
without suspending
the unfaltering, present
right as rain, as usual
the undercover coroner