MESSENGERBIRD

((((((((((((((((((((Free Music /// Live at Five))))))))))))))))))))

MESSENGER BIRD airs new, hour-long, improvised home recordings every Thursday at 5pm EST, on CFRU in Guelph, Ontario. The recordings are usually made at Main Squeeze, a basement studio near the Guelph watertower, and feature whomever can make it out there from week to week. The Bird is coordinated by Slim Volume. Any aspect of the show that comes across as hi fi is purely accidental. Pictures contain download links for entire episodes. For extra oddness try playing several embedded audio streams simultaneously.
Stay tuned, weirdos!

MESSENGERBIRD - EPISODE 20
REVERB BY PYRAMID
This one is going out to Kees, wherever he is.
“The existence of a dimensional scheme underlying the placing of the three pyramids is suggested in the first instance by the very regular arrangement of... — MESSENGERBIRD - EPISODE 20
REVERB BY PYRAMID
This one is going out to Kees, wherever he is.
“The existence of a dimensional scheme underlying the placing of the three pyramids is suggested in the first instance by the very regular arrangement of these pyramids on the Giza plateau. As a result, the sides of the bases and the distances that separate them define consecutive axial distances from north to south and from east to west. The three pyramids were accurately aligned with respect to the four cardinal points, and were displaced from one another in a configuration which satisfies the requirements of a coherent dimensional design. Certain technical difficulties relating to the site chosen for each pyramid in turn also suggest that there must have been some significant constraint, in addition to factors such as ease of construction or the selection of the most favourable architectural setting, which determined where each of the three pyramids was positioned.” - From Giza Site Plan by John A. R. Legon
Personnel: T. Sloane, B. Webb.
Aired: March 15, 2012
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listen to episode 20

MESSENGERBIRD - EPISODE 19
MARCH FIRST / CRASS STILL RULES
Nil analyzes a wrapper. Pliers arches nil behind the fool. The carbon complains. The analogue chords nil. Nil elects an inclusive hardship beneath the separator. Why does the ruin bell the... — MESSENGERBIRD - EPISODE 19
MARCH FIRST / CRASS STILL RULES
Nil analyzes a wrapper. Pliers arches nil behind the fool. The carbon complains. The analogue chords nil. Nil elects an inclusive hardship beneath the separator. Why does the ruin bell the jungle? A fog tenders pliers without an ace coach. Underneath nil treks pliers. When can nil zoom? The edited weekday catalogs nil beside the discontinued manager.
Samples from Broadcast, Organ Memories, Andre Ethier, Jim Guthrie, Klaus Schulze.
Personnel: T. Sloane, B. Webb.
Aired: March 1, 2012
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listen to episode 19

listen to episode 18

MESSENGERBIRD - EPISODE 18
FREE TIME
Here’s one of the reasons this bird can fly in the small towne of Guelph, Ontario:
ICASP.
The international Improvisation, Community, and Social Practice research project explores musical improvisation as a model... — MESSENGERBIRD - EPISODE 18
FREE TIME
Here’s one of the reasons this bird can fly in the small towne of Guelph, Ontario:
ICASP.
The international Improvisation, Community, and Social Practice research project explores musical improvisation as a model for social change. The project plays a leading role in defining a new field of interdisciplinary research to shape political, cultural, and ethical dialogue and action.
Right. So these folks study how the world might be a better place if we all understood how to apply the liberating forces of musical improvisation to our interactions with people and things.
Soon, becoming a Guelphite will mean allowing all aspects of your social-political-cultural life to fully evolve into an ongoing free form jam with your fellow citizens. We say, “bring it on.”
Tyler Sloane works for ICASP. He’s the newest addition to the Messbird’s collaborative family. He brought all his gear, with flashing lights and everything, into the station last night and we ran wires all across the room. That’s him, dropping some glitchy, droney joy all over this episode, live to air. Welcome aboard!
Onward and upward, Birdies!
Samples from Boris Gardiner, Ask The Oracle, Hanged Up, Schlomo, Raleigh Moncrief.
Personnel: T. Sloane, B. Webb.
Aired: February 16, 2012
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MESSENGERBIRD - EPISODE 17
CASSETTESTIVAL
In honour of the Cassettestival cassette label starting up in town here, we’ve put together an episode based entirely on samples from the five cassettes being released at the label launch party. On top of all... — MESSENGERBIRD - EPISODE 17
CASSETTESTIVAL
In honour of the Cassettestival cassette label starting up in town here, we’ve put together an episode based entirely on samples from the five cassettes being released at the label launch party. On top of all that, M. Mucci has donated a new guitar piece from the Tall House Recording Co. Yes! Guelph!
Personnel: Baseball Furies, Matt Collins, Scrutineer, Esther Gray, Tyson and His Gameboy, M. Mucci, B. Webb.
Aired: January 12, 2012
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MESSENGERBIRD - EPISODE 16
DO GO ON
This first episode of 2012 is going out to Scotty Hertz, an electrician at CFRU, and host of the great labour issues show, The Working Week. Scotty found a drawer full of working 12AX7 tubes, a tube tester, and... — MESSENGERBIRD - EPISODE 16
DO GO ON
This first episode of 2012 is going out to Scotty Hertz, an electrician at CFRU, and host of the great labour issues show, The Working Week. Scotty found a drawer full of working 12AX7 tubes, a tube tester, and some other studio enhancers on his rounds at the university, and donated them to Messenger Bird, before they could be pitched out in U of G’s haste to renovate everything. Thanks, Scotty! Now we can amplify more things!
Also in the works: A new underground Main Squeeze recording facility, below a Guelph antique shop, which will enable more live collaborations in the coming monthy-months. Pictures to follow.
And further shout outs to the hippies who made this amazing X-mas light garden on the street behind Slim’s house, and the new Patti Smith autobiography; both of which made the holidays even brighter on our block.
Personnel: M. Kauffey, B. Webb.
Samples: Matano Juma & Party, Silver Apples, Defected Accapellas, Chris Knox, Cosmos Soundtrack, ARC, Euphone, Spiritual Music of Azerbaijan, Percussion Sextet, C. Paxton and Os Mutantes.
Aired: January 5, 2012
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listen to episode 16

MESSENGERBIRD - EPISODE 15
HOLIDAY DRONES
Happiest of holidays to you and yours from all of us at Messengerbird International. We put this one together in hopes that you’d listen to it while on a walking tour of yr neighborhood x-mas light... — MESSENGERBIRD - EPISODE 15
HOLIDAY DRONES
Happiest of holidays to you and yours from all of us at Messengerbird International. We put this one together in hopes that you’d listen to it while on a walking tour of yr neighborhood x-mas light installations.
Contributors to this episode include the enchanting vocal trio Mountain Man of Massachusetts, and an original drone from Evening Hymns’ Jonas B.
It would make our already incredible year if you’d take a moment to send in photos of the craziest yard decor in your neighborhood. Best photo receives a special holiday surprise from the bird. Send this business to messengerbird@cfru.ca.
Personnel: Mountain Man, J. Bonetta, B. Webb.
Aired: December 15, 2011
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listen to episode 13

listen to episode 15

MESSENGERBIRD - EPISODE 14
DISASTER SPECIAL
Your tooth drinks the air. It reflects a catalog of deeds undone. When can disaster offend against the cramp? A shortest scroll gossips before legs. How can a complaint originate over the evident resource?... — MESSENGERBIRD - EPISODE 14
DISASTER SPECIAL
Your tooth drinks the air. It reflects a catalog of deeds undone. When can disaster offend against the cramp? A shortest scroll gossips before legs. How can a complaint originate over the evident resource? The thankful deadline coughs. Disaster lurks with legs.
This week Slim Volume is joined by the extraordinary contemporary dancer and french horn player, Sarah Wendt. Listen closely and you can hear the birds singing along outside her Montreal apartment.
Also included are some modded Beach Boys samples from Surfs Up, and we round things off with a few sweet guitar notes from Women.
Personnel: S. Wendt, B. Webb
Aired: November 17, 2011
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listen to episode 14