SGNLFLW (Signal flow) is the path an audio signal takes from a source to an output. A traditional synthesizer signal flow begins with an oscillator, followed by a transformation through filtering processes, ending with an amplification section that defines the sounds attack and decay. The transformative property of a signal flow creates an unlimited variety of sound.  Signal flow is the impetus behind this piece for piano trio. The sounds are at times reminiscent of various filter chains, and the form is inspired by synth-heavy popular music. The physical process of composing required the creation and audio capture of synth sounds, as well as computational filtering, in an analysis of the initial material. 

SGNLFLW (piano trio)

4 Oscillator > Filter > Third Oscillator > Envelope

3 Oscillator > Filter > Third Oscillator

2 Oscillator > Filter

1 Oscillator

Excerpts from the score to MAV Films EAST POINT film. Composed in 2015. Premiered in 2016. https://vimeo.com/158314425

East Point Soundtrack Reel

This work comes from a collaborative exhibit with The Little Loomhouse, a historical fiber arts non profit organization in Louisville, Kentucky. Displayed at the Doris Ulmann Gallery in Berea, Kentucky from November 1st - December 17th 2015.

This music is inspired by historic Kentucky coverlets, the weaving technique known as “overshot,” and several popular patterns of weaving drafts, which Lou Tate often remarked resembled a musical staff. The woven coverlet, a staple of Appalachian folk art, was usually created in the home and has a strong identity with patterns that emerged and evolved over time, through the sharing of drafts between generations of weavers eager to create something new. Overshot utilizes the instruments found in a string quartet, especially the cello, as well as electronics to create six movements inspired by different aspects of this rich textile art. Each movement focuses on a different aspect of weaving, such as: literal translations of draft patterns; ideas elicited in the names of popular drafts; the nature of weaving’s oral pedagogy; aural approximations of the visual contour in finished patterns; and the meditative and rhythmic action in the physical act of weaving. The musical form of Overshot is a nod to one of Beethoven’s last string quartets, op. 130, No. 13 in Bb major.

I. Whig Rose – Adagio, ma non troppo (Slow, but not too slow) This opening movement of the musical piece Overshot translates an overshot draft pattern into musical notation in a very literal sense. The markings on the draft correspond to a space in between the bar lines of the music. The interest comes from interpreting this same pattern for several different instrument clefs at different rates of speed, creating an algorithmic lattice from the simple four note pattern.

II. Chariot Wheel - Presto (Fast)This movement of the musical piece Overshot elicits the idea of unwieldy motion, speeding forward. Like a chariot wheel spinning furiously, the descending theme rushes toward the end.

III. Cat Tracks and Snail Trails – Andante con moto, ma non troppo. Poco scherzoso (Moderately slow, with motion walking, a little playful) There continues to be a strong tradition of learning to weave through oral communication. In this movement of the musical piece Overshot, the voices of weaving instructors from videos found on Youtube are transcribed and juxtaposed against each other in the voices of four cellos. The cacophony feels similar to my own experiences I had when I first started to learn about weaving. The variety of terminology and approaches of many Youtube instructors was interesting while simultaneously perplexing. After a while it begins to make sense.

IV. Pinetree – Alla danza tedesca. Allegro assai (German dance, very fast)This movement of the musical piece Overshot focuses on a singular sound expanding and contracting, mimicking the visual contour of a pine tree design. The motion in this movement related to the tempo markings is not present throughout, but instead found in the moments of expansion.

V. Snowball – Cavatina. Adagio molto espressivo (Short song of simple character, slowly with expressiveness)
Watching a person that is weaving can be a meditative experience. Soon you begin to hear a rhythm that feels very natural. In this movement of the musical piece Overshot, the recorded sounds of a working loom are captured. They bring with them a calm similar to the quiet period after a snow fall.

VI. Double Bowknot - Fugue A fugue is a technique for several voices where a theme is presented in a variety of ways. It can also describe a form of mental state including confusion and hysteria. This final movement of the musical piece Overshot uses ideas from all of the previous movements and juxtaposes them against each other creating a chaotic state. The appearance of the double bowknot distorts the viewer’s perception of depth. The shapes give the illusion of bulging in the coverlet. The result is hypnotic.




Overshot String Quartet and Electronics 2016 (Excerpts)

From upcoming release, Splashiest Catechist on Louisville's City State Tapes label, July 21st.

4_4_CC701260K_STA0

New album out now at https://chriskincaid.bandcamp.com/

Splashiest Catechists out NOW!

For Solo Guitar
Performed by Alex Edwards on 04/12/13

Program Note:
We go through life meeting thousands of people. The people that become our friends, those that we welcome into our lives, shape who we are. Some we interact with daily for years; others are only present for a short time. The Importance of a Glass was written for such a friend, in and out of my life in only two years time. The character of the piece nods towards his acute attention to detail. Exact rhythms and textures in the piece are as important as the specific shape of a glass to hold his favorite beer, while interspersed moments of improvisation are reflective of his love for the unexpected and random in life. His life has since entered a new chapter. Just as the world carries on, unaware of our paths and friendships, the coda introduces itself as inevitable change. It is change that is our only constant.

Chris Kincaid

Popular tracks