Seattle New Music Happy Hour: Wednesday, August 24 at 5:30pm

Posted on August 10, 2016 by maestrobeats

IMG_0964resized

C’mon, c’mon get happy with Second Inversion, Live Music Project, and Seattle’s vibrant community of musicians at our next New Music Happy Hour on Wednesday, August 24 at 5:30pm at the Queen Anne Beerhall!

Whether you’re a full-time musician, a casual freelancer, music hobbyist, or total music novice, you are welcome! The only prerequisite is an open mind and a willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue about music and art in Seattle and beyond.

RSVP and invite your friends on Facebook and sign up for alerts for future happy hour dates and day-before reminders.

The Queen Anne Beerhall has become our favorite place to gather! It has 25 premium draft beers, over 50 bottles, and full bar offering unique cocktails made with in-house prepared syrups and shrubs. The food menu includes PNW-influenced classic beer hall fare and perfectly executed staples such as soft Bavarian pretzel, wiener schnitzel and a variety of grilled sausages with sauerkraut.

: James and Connie

: We like to laugh!

: Jacob and Brendan

: Donna and Ursula

: Group shot! (table 1)

: Group shot! (table 2)

: Connie and Jon

: Deep in conversations

: Connecting with new friends

: Shaya and Kevin

: Andrew and Maggie

A few of our favorite shots from last month’s NMHH on July 19! All photos credit: Maggie Molloy

Seattle New Music Happy Hour: Tuesday, July 19 at 5:30pm

Posted on July 14, 2016 by maestrobeats

by Maggie Molloy

Last month, we co-hosted our first New Music Happy Hour with the Live Music Project. It was so fun, we knew we’d have to do it again!

It’s a chance for musicians, new music enthusiasts, non-musicians, and curious bystanders alike to come together and share ideas, create connections, and strengthen Seattle’s ever-growing network of artists and musicians. No experience necessary! The only prerequisite is an open mind and a willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue about music and art in Seattle and beyond.

Here are just a few good reasons to join us:

-You want to learn more about Second Inversion or the Live Music Project.

-You want to meet Seattle-based composers, performers, and new music enthusiasts.

-You’ve been in touch with people on the RSVP list virtually, but never met in person.

-You want to brainstorm ideas and collaborations.

-You are curious about what “new music” is.

-You want to be a part of strengthening this beautiful community.

photo cred - Shaya Lyon

You like new music. We like new music. Let’s get together and talk about new music, drink a couple beers, and make some new friends along the way. We hope to see you there!

New Music Happy Hour will be held Tuesday, July 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Queen Anne Beerhall, located at 203 W Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98119. To RSVP, please click here.

NEW VIDEO: In/Exchange by Andy Akiho with Friction Quartet

Posted on June 30, 2016 by maestrobeats

String quartet and steel pan? It’s an awesome combination, but we don’t really need to tell you that…

San Francisco-based Friction Quartet was recently in Seattle for a residency at Cornish College of the Arts and their friend, composer and steel pan virtuoso Andy Akiho, joined them at the Chapel Performance Space at the Good Shepherd Center for one of Second Inversion’s video shoots. This piece, In/Exchange, is Andy’s first composition for string quartet and steel pan.

Andy is a virtuoso steel pan player, and just as many composers would write on the piano, thinking about structure and harmony and translating it to other instruments, he relates his music back to the steel pan. This instrument has incredible timbres and melodic possibilities and In/Exchange is a perfect example of relating those possibilities to the string quartet. By doing so, Andy takes both the steel pan and the string quartet to places they have never been before.

In/exchange was commissioned by the Ethel String Quartet and the Jerome foundation, and premiered in Merkin Hall in New York City as part of the Tribeca New Music Festival.

You’re Invited! Seattle New Music Happy Hour

Posted on June 10, 2016 by maestrobeats

by Maggie Molloy

You like new music. We like new music. Let’s get together and talk about new music, drink a couple beers, and make some new friends along the way.

You’re invited to join friends from Second Inversion, the Live Music Project, New Music USA, and other contemporary classical projects this month for happy hour at the Queen Anne Beerhall on Wednesday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m.

We hope to see you there!

New Music Happy Hour will be held Wednesday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m. at the Queen Anne Beerhall, located at 203 W Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98119. To RSVP, please click here.

Universal Language Project Podcast: Revealing the Composer’s Artistic Process

Posted on May 22, 2016 by maestrobeats

by Maggie Stapleton

ulppodcast

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Universal Language Project’s brand new podcast! This is a co-production between Second Inversion and ULP, featuring interviews recorded in our studios and live concert recordings from our live concert recording archives.

Each episode features a 20-minute interview with a Northwest composer to gain insight into their creative intentions and artistic process followed by a recording of a brand new work – often from the premiere, live and unedited in all its glory.

Episode 1: Jovino Santos Neto

0005434682_10

Three-time Latin Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto, a master pianist, composer and arranger, is among the top Brazilian musicians working today. Currently based in Seattle, Washington, he has throughout his career been closely affiliated with the Brazilian master Hermeto Pascoal. He was an integral part of Pascoal’s group from 1977 to 1992, where he fine-tuned his artistry, performing around the world and co-producing several legendary records.

For this composition, SACI, the Universal Language Project commissioned Jovino to write a multi-movement piece designed to pair with Stravinsky’s L’histoire du soldat. This work is intended as commentary on Stravinsky’s work where, about 100 years later, we are also creating great shows in a time of limited financial means. This work is based on a mythical Brazilian folk character, the Saci, who simultaneously helps us out of tricky situations and mischievously keeps us humble. This work beautifully merges Jovino’s background in Brazilian jazz with contemporary classical composition to create a delightfully charming and important new piece.

Stephan Michael Newby, Baritone / Narrator
Eric Rynes, Violin
Eric Likkel, Clarinet
Brian Chin, Trumpet
Nathan Vetter, Trombone
Steve Morgan, Bassoon
Todd Gowers, Bass
Ben Thomas, Percussion

Recorded Live at the Velocity Dance Center in Seattle, WA
May 16th, 2015
Bill Levey: Audio Engineer

Episode 2: Wayne Horvitz

Wayne Horvitz is a composer, pianist and electronic musician who has performed extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. He is the leader of the Gravitas Quartet, Sweeter Than the Day, Zony Mash, The Four plus One Ensemble and co-founder of the New York Composers Orchestra.

Working primary in a jazz inspired large ensemble medium, Wayne’s music seems to naturally defied any one genre and offers a truly unique sound to the 21st century music collection. This piece, A Stammer for Tori, was inspired by the violinist Victoria Parker and is written for a small mixed chamber ensemble.
Victoria Parker, Violin
Susan Telford, Flute
Eric Likkel, Clarinet
Brian Chin, Trumpet
Nathan Vetter, Trombone
Rajan Krishnaswami, Cello
Kevin Johnson, Piano
Rob Tucker, Percussion

Recorded Live at the Velocity Dance Center in Seattle, WA
Jan. 9th 2015
Bill Levey: Audio Engineer

The Universal Language Project is a music-centric multi-arts concert series dedicated to generating new music for the 21st century. It is a program of Common Tone Arts, a non-profit arts organization dedicated to creating positive change for our diverse world through music and arts education.