Happy New Year: 2018

Eris 136199: Han-earl Park, Catherine Sikora and Nick Didkovsky (Hamburg, 11-01-17). Copyright 2017 Steffen Schindler
© 2017 Steffen Schindler.

2017 started with the release of the album, and performances by, Sirene 1009, and closed with a tour by Eris 136199 (plus my first Kickstarter!). On the way, I got to be sideman to one of my former student’s projects, and play (unbelievably) for the first time in Seoul.

Here’s to 2018!

Arts Council of Ireland

Sirene 1009’s Cork performances and workshop presented with funding from the Arts Council of Ireland, and support from FUAIM Music at UCC, UCC Department of Music, CIT Cork School of Music and the Cork Improvised Music Club.

Culture Ireland logo

Parts of Sirene 1009 was recorded during the London performance presented with funding from Culture Ireland, and support from SLAM Productions.

The Eris 136199 tour was made possible through the support from Jazz North East, Jvtlandt, Jazz Club Loco, OUT FRONT!, Xposed Club, Verband für aktuelle Musik Hamburg, and MS Stubnitz, and the awe-inspiring generosity of the backers of our Kickstarter project:

Cath Roberts, Franziska Schroeder, Owen Green, Han-Ter Park, Richard Hollis, Tom Duff, Jan Langedijk, Thomas Buckner, Liam Nagle, Andrew Raffo Dewar, Randy McKean, Anton Hunter, Marte van der Loop, Ian Boswell, Nancy Meli Walker, David M. Morris, Nicholas Croft, Eva Zelig, Bart Mallio, Jeremy Clarke, Martin Pyne, Josh Sinton, Moon Soon Han, Eun-He Moon, Yoon-Mi Cho, 고항심, Katie O’Looney, Jamie Smith, Phil Burk, Andrea Wolper, Kyoko Kitamura, DIDI, Caroline Pugh, Edozie Edoga, Yu Seon Hee, Danny McCarthy, Richard Barrett, Leejiyoung, Ed Bennett, Young-Shin Park, Ga Hyun Noh, Inkyung Kim, Keith Stonell, Peter O’Doherty, Viv Corringham, Korhan Erel, Tony O’Connor, Vikram Kapur and Maneesha Chawala, and our anonymous backers.

by Sirene 1009 and Eris 136199

Cover of ‘Sirene 1009’ (BAF000) with Han-earl Park, Dominic Lash, Mark Sanders and Caroline Pugh (artwork copyright 2017, Han-earl Park)

Sirene 1009 (BAF000) [details…]

Personnel: Han-earl Park (guitar), Dominic Lash (double bass), Mark Sanders (drums) and Caroline Pugh (voice and tape recorder).

© + ℗ 2017 Han-earl Park.

CD cover of ‘Anomic Aphasia’ (SLAMCD 559) with Han-earl Park, Catherine Sikora, Nick Didkovsky and Josh Sinton (artwork copyright 2015, Han-earl Park)

Anomic Aphasia (SLAMCD 559) [details…]

Performers: Han-earl Park (guitar), Catherine Sikora (tenor and soprano saxophones), Nick Didkovsky (guitar), and Josh Sinton (baritone saxophone and bass clarinet).

© 2015 Han-earl Park.
℗ 2015 SLAM Productions.

Thanks: Sirene 1009 (Belfast, London, Monmouth) and Park-Pugh (Derry)

Han-earl Park and Caroline Pugh (Derry, 03-08-17)

Four performances in March. (Another mini-tour, but, hey, for the first time, I’ve actually tied-together an album release and a tour—never happens!) A privilege to have shared the stage with smart, creative performers, and to have been performing to some wonderful community of listeners. So, quick thanks to everyone on/off stage at Monmouth, London, Belfast and Derry….

Big thanks to all the venues, promoters and supporters. Thanks, in particular, to Lyndon Owen, a person of apparently limitless enthusiasm, and the team at Monmouth (what a wonderful community); to Peter O’Doherty at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin for the incredible work bootstrapping the Derry scene; to Eduard Solaz at IKLECTIK for running such a wonderful space; and to Brian Carson at Moving on Music, and to Simon Waters at SARC for presenting, promoting and hosting.

Thanks for David Bird at SARC for all his work above-and-beyond the call of duty. (Hey! I owe you and Craig a beer.) Kudos, David Lyttle for loaning us your double bass for a couple of days.

As always big, big thanks to everyone who came to listen. I’ll particularly remember the adventurous and genuinely interested listeners in Monmouth and Derry. And a special thanks to Jeremy (he’ll know why 😉 ).

Finally, thanks to all the performers: to James King for the gibberish; to the acoustic frenzy of FAINT (big thanks to Franziska for all her help (starting in February 2016!) getting the Belfast performance together—it’s been a long road, but worthwhile!); and, of course, biggest thanks to Dom, Mark and Caroline for the music (See you in April!)!

tonight: Sirene 1009 at IKLECTIK, London

Sirene 1009 (London). Copyright 2016 Han-earl Park
© 2016 Han-earl Park

Tonight (Thursday, March 2, 2017), at 8:30pm (doors: 8:00pm): Sirene 1009 (Han-earl Park: guitar; Dominic Lash: double bass; Mark Sanders: drums; and Caroline Pugh: voice and electronics) perform at IKLECTIK (‘Old Paradise Yard,’ 20 Carlisle Lane, London SE1 7LG, England). Admission: £8 (£6).

By Han-earl Park, Dominic Lash, Mark Sanders and Caroline Pugh

Cover of ‘Sirene 1009’ (BAF000) with Han-earl Park, Dominic Lash, Mark Sanders and Caroline Pugh (artwork copyright 2017, Han-earl Park)

Sirene 1009 (BAF000) [details…]

Personnel: Han-earl Park (guitar), Dominic Lash (double bass), Mark Sanders (drums) and Caroline Pugh (voice and tape recorder).

© + ℗ 2017 Han-earl Park.

Sirene 1009 is also performing…

March 7, 2017: Belfast, N. Ireland; and April 7 and May 19, 2017: Cork, Ireland. [Details…]

performance diary 02-14-17 (Belfast, Cork, Derry, London, Monmouth)

upcoming performances
date venue time details
March 1, 2017 Queens Head Inn
1 St James Street
Monmouth NP25 3DL
Wales
9:00pm Sirene 1009 (Han-earl Park: guitar; Dominic Lash: double bass; Mark Sanders: drums; and Caroline Pugh: voice and electronics).
Admission free. Presented with support from Music in Monmouth and Plancktone Club. [Details…]
[Queens Head page…]
March 2, 2017 IKLECTIK
‘Old Paradise Yard’
20 Carlisle Lane
London SE1 7LG
England
8:30pm (doors: 8:00pm) Sirene 1009 (Han-earl Park: guitar; Dominic Lash: double bass; Mark Sanders: drums; and Caroline Pugh: voice and electronics).
Admission: £8 (£6).
[Details…]
[IKLECTIK page…]
March 7, 2017 Sonic Arts Research Centre
Cloreen Park
Belfast BT9 5HN
N. Ireland
8:00pm Sirene 1009 (Han-earl Park: guitar; Dominic Lash: double bass; Mark Sanders: drums; and Caroline Pugh: voice and electronics) as part of Brilliant Corners. Also performing: FAINT (Franziska Schroeder: saxophones; Pedro Rebelo: piano and ‘instrumental parasites’; and Steve Davis: drums) with Ricardo Jacinto (cello and electronics). Tickets: £10. [Get tickets…]
[Details…]
[Brilliant Corners page…]
March 8, 2017 The Glassworks
33 Great James Street
Derry BT48 7DF
N. Ireland
8:00pm Han-earl Park (guitar) and Caroline Pugh (voice and electronics).
Admission: £5, students free. [Get tickets…]
[Details…]
[Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin page…]
April 7, 2017 Aula Maxima
University College Cork
Cork, Ireland
1:10pm Sirene 1009 (Han-earl Park: guitar; Dominic Lash: double bass; Mark Sanders: drums; and Caroline Pugh: voice and electronics) presented by FUAIM Music at UCC.
Admission free. Presented with funding from the Arts Council of Ireland. Arts Council of Ireland
[Details…]
April 7, 2017 Aula Maxima
University College Cork
Cork, Ireland
2:30pm (setup: 2:10pm) Group improvisation workshop with Han-earl Park, Dominic Lash, Mark Sanders and Caroline Pugh.
Workshop fee: €20.* [Register…] SOLD OUT. * There are a small number of discount places for students at CIT Cork School of Music and UCC Department of Music. SOLD OUT. Presented with funding from the Arts Council of Ireland, and support from UCC Department of Music. Arts Council of Ireland
[Details…]
May 19, 2017 Stack Theatre
Cork School of Music
Union Quay
Cork, Ireland
8:00pm (doors: 7:45pm) Sirene 1009 (Han-earl Park: guitar; Dominic Lash: double bass; Mark Sanders: drums; and Caroline Pugh: voice and electronics). Also performing: Catherine Sikora (saxophones) and Dan Walsh (drums). Tickets: €16 | €10 | €5.
Online box office closes at 6:00pm. Tickets will be available from the door from 7:30pm. Presented with funding from Arts Council of Ireland, and support from CIT Cork School of Music and the Cork Improvised Music Club. Arts Council of Ireland
[Details…]
[CSM page…]
Autumn 2017 Europe I am seeking performance opportunities for the transatlantic trio Eris 136199 (Nick Didkovsky: guitar; Han-earl Park: guitar; and Catherine Sikora: saxophones). Interested promoters, venues and sponsors, please get in touch! [Performance proposal…]

Continue reading “performance diary 02-14-17 (Belfast, Cork, Derry, London, Monmouth)”

Sirene 1009 (London and Monmouth, March 2017)

Sirene 1009 (London and Monmouth)
© 2016 Han-earl Park

March 2017: Sirene 1009 (Han-earl Park: guitar; Dominic Lash: double bass; Mark Sanders: drums; and Caroline Pugh: voice and electronics) will be performing in Monmouth and London (see the performance diary for up-to-date info):

It’s been over a year since we last performed as a quartet. It’ll be great to play again. As I said in a Jazz Noise, when I think of the group, I think of:

Dom Lash’s assured, steady-handed control of his technique and sound-making; Mark Sanders’ range, seemingly boundless imagination, ability anticipate anything and everything, and ability to make sense musically regardless of what surrounds him; and Caroline Pugh’s handle and knowledge of genre, and how she seemingly can just jump in regardless of context. I think the various ways we move—our bodies and their relationship with the instruments, say—complement each other. [Read the rest…]

A very special group, and I’m honored to find myself in its company.

By Han-earl Park, Dominic Lash, Mark Sanders and Caroline Pugh

Cover of ‘Sirene 1009’ (BAF000) with Han-earl Park, Dominic Lash, Mark Sanders and Caroline Pugh (artwork copyright 2017, Han-earl Park)

Sirene 1009 (BAF000) [details…]

Personnel: Han-earl Park (guitar), Dominic Lash (double bass), Mark Sanders (drums) and Caroline Pugh (voice and tape recorder).

© + ℗ 2017 Han-earl Park.

Sirene 1009 is also performing…

March 7, 2017: Belfast, N. Ireland; and April 7 and May 19, 2017: Cork, Ireland. [Details…]

performance diary 01-24-17 (Belfast, Cork, Derry, London, Monmouth)

upcoming performances
date venue time details
February 3, 2017 St Peter’s Cork
North Main Street
Cork, Ireland
9:15pm Sky, Horse and Death (Kevin Terry: voice and clarinet; Ros Steer: electronics and voice; Dan Walsh: drums and saxophone; Han-earl Park: guitar; and Diarmait MacCárthaigh: accordion) perform as part of Quarter Block Party.
Tickets: €20.
[Quarter Block Party page…]
March 1, 2017 Queens Head Inn
1 St James Street
Monmouth NP25 3DL
Wales
9:00pm Sirene 1009 (Han-earl Park: guitar; Dominic Lash: double bass; Mark Sanders: drums; and Caroline Pugh: voice and electronics).
Admission free. Presented with support from Music in Monmouth and Plancktone Club. [Details…] [Queens Head page…]
March 2, 2017 IKLECTIK
‘Old Paradise Yard’
20 Carlisle Lane
London SE1 7LG
England
8:30pm (doors: 8:00pm) Sirene 1009 (Han-earl Park: guitar; Dominic Lash: double bass; Mark Sanders: drums; and Caroline Pugh: voice and electronics).
Admission: £8 (£6).
[Details…]
[IKLECTIK page…]
March 7, 2017 Sonic Arts Research Centre
Cloreen Park
Belfast BT9 5HN
N. Ireland
8:00pm Sirene 1009 (Han-earl Park: guitar; Dominic Lash: double bass; Mark Sanders: drums; and Caroline Pugh: voice and electronics) as part of Brilliant Corners. Also performing: FAINT (Franziska Schroeder: saxophones; Pedro Rebelo: piano and ‘instrumental parasites’; and Steve Davis: drums) with Ricardo Jacinto (cello and electronics). Tickets: £10.
[Details…]
[Brilliant Corners page with ticket info…]
March 8, 2017 The Glassworks
33 Great James Street
Derry BT48 7DF
N. Ireland
8:00pm Han-earl Park (guitar) and Caroline Pugh (voice and electronics).
Admission: £5, students free.
[Details…]
[Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin page…]
April 7, 2017 Aula Maxima
University College Cork
Cork, Ireland
1:10pm Sirene 1009 (Han-earl Park: guitar; Dominic Lash: double bass; Mark Sanders: drums; and Caroline Pugh: voice and electronics) presented by FUAIM Music at UCC.
Admission free. Presented with funding from the Arts Council of Ireland. Arts Council of Ireland
Details to follow…
May 19, 2017 Stack Theatre
Cork School of Music
Union Quay
Cork, Ireland
TBC Sirene 1009 (Han-earl Park: guitar; Dominic Lash: double bass; Mark Sanders: drums; and Caroline Pugh: voice and electronics). Also performing: Catherine Sikora (saxophones) and Dan Walsh (drums). Tickets: TBC. Presented with funding from the Arts Council of Ireland, and support from CIT Cork School of Music and the Cork Improvised Music Club. Arts Council of Ireland
Details to follow…
Autumn 2017 Europe I am seeking performance opportunities for the transatlantic trio Eris 136199 (Nick Didkovsky: guitar; Han-earl Park: guitar; and Catherine Sikora: saxophones). Interested promoters, venues and sponsors, please get in touch! [Performance proposal…]

Continue reading “performance diary 01-24-17 (Belfast, Cork, Derry, London, Monmouth)”

support LUME!

Nothing directly to do with me, but… one of the most fun and adventurous gigs anywhere in the world, LUME needs our support! LUME is programming a festival of jazz and improvised music in London, and are in need of additional funding to cover artist fees and travel expenses:

This Summer, we’re rounding off our 2015/16 season of gigs with the first ever LUME Festival. On Sunday 26th June we’re taking over IKLECTIK ARTLAB near Waterloo for a one-day celebration of all things LUME: original and improvised music from the UK and beyond, friendly vibes and good times….

Our core programme of LUME gigs this year is supported by Arts Council England, and there will be part of this funding left for the festival. There’s enough to put on about three bands and have a nice evening. But after all the amazing music we’ve listened to, that’s not quite enough for us. We want to do more—and this is where you come in. With your help, we can put on everyone in the list above and pack the day full of music. We’ve also invited Gina Southgate to come and capture the day on canvas, and Alex Fiennes to record the performances! [Read the rest…]

In addition to being an incomparably energetic space for new jazz and improvised music, LUME has previously supported my work, not least by hosting the first London performance by the trio with Dominic Lash and Mark Sanders (an ensemble that would eventually morph into Sirene 1009). For those who value music work on the ‘ground level’ of a scene, this is definitely one to back!

And with rewards that include a trip to the London Aquarium, who can resist? [LUME kickstarter page…]