Exposé print issues (1993-2011)
Showing items 1 to 10 of 127
Presenting a music festival in today's musical landscape is a daunting proposition. Rather than try to emulate the major music festivals like NEARfest or ProgDay, when my fellow organizers and I decided to put one together in Seattle, we made a conscious choice to keep it small and intimate. We selected a historic theater as a venue and a selection of mostly local artists. When the opportunity arose, we booked Thinking Plague and miRthkon to add some broader geographic appeal. » Read more
Out of seemingly nowhere in the early 1990s, Danish composer and multi-instrumentalist Robin Taylor appeared on the scene with his debut album Essay. A few years later saw the eponymous debut of his studio band project Taylor’s Universe, which to date has released close to a dozen CDs. From around 2002 Taylor also led a live improvisational band Taylor’s Free Universe, with a half-dozen recordings to their credit. Taylor was kind enough to sit down with Exposé and talk about his musical origins and interests, as well as his future plans. » Read more
The terms we use to define music can have fluid meanings. For instance, in the 70s "pop music" was an umbrella term encompassing Cat Stevens, King Crimson, and Frank Zappa. Nowadays, almost no one would call King Crimson pop. Another case in point is "progressive." Under this term lie two (very) different kinds of music: one includes groups such as Genesis, Gentle Giant, Yes and their current disciples; another derives from the more experimental creations known as Rock in Opposition. But nowadays these two souls of progressive music no longer live in watertight compartments as they used to do in their heyday. A new Italian label was founded explicitly to reconcile symphonic and RIO-influenced music: AltrOck, launched in Milan by Marcello Marinone and Francesco Zago. With its groups ranging from Flanders to Siberia, from Argentina to Italy, this label is a sunbeam in the lifeless Italian musical landscape, more and more dominated by bland, tasteless talent shows. Here is our interview with Marcello Marinone. » Read more
The brilliant 2011 release Glue Works on Cuneiform Records helped catapult the Swedish band Gösta Berlings Saga towards the upper echelon of contemporary progressive rock. Following their extraordinary Sunday morning performance at the final edition of NEARfest, we had the opportunity to speak to two members of the band about their history and music. » Read more
Since 2002 I have visited Seoul many times and one of the many joys I have experienced is exploring music at Mythos and now Si-Wan Records Museum. I have found many hidden treasures and had the opportunity to meet the legendary owner, Si-Wan Seong, on a number of occasions. He is a warm and friendly man, very personable and knowledgeable. This article summarizes our conversation over some Korean barbecue one evening in early September 2011. » Read more
As an observer of the progressive rock scene, one of the nicest surprises in recent years has been the success of veteran British band Pendragon. They've always enjoyed a strong fan base and their albums have consistently sold well, though during the late 1990s I heard about them less and less until I began to think that the next news about them would be their obituary. I mean, how could a band forged in the same neo-prog fires as Marillion and Twelfth Night, and known for a sound that borrowed from 70s Genesis and Camel be able to remain relevant in a prog landscape dominated by the likes of Porcupine Tree and Dream Theater?
The answer boils down to one man: Nick Barrett. » Read more
Saturday October 8, 2011 was the day Il Tempio delle Clessidre performed for a large Korean audience at the Sowol Art Hall in Seoul, brought to Korea through the efforts of Si-Wan, Seong, Korean DJ and record producer working with his friend Pino Pintabona at Black Widow Records. I was given the rare and wonderful experience of meeting the band, chatting with them, having lunch, sitting through sound checks and run-throughs, interviewing, and ultimately experiencing the true glory of the concert.
» Read more
In the never ending battle of independent musicians against pop music there are those who continue to remain true to their roots and love of progressive music, especially Krautrock. One such is German musician and composer Uwe Cremer. He is not a household name, but his music has appeared on well-known labels (Garden of Delights and Musea). On a recent trip to Cologne, Germany I had the opportunity to enjoy a delightful afternoon with Uwe aka Level ∏ over a few beers. » Read more
There are no direct flights between Mumbai, India and Seattle, Washington. But that doesn't stop the international collaboration called Manooghi Hi from bridging the gap between the two cultures. The band got its start a few years ago when Mehnaz Hoosein, who had a million-selling career as a pop singer in India, connected with Ava Chakravarti in Seattle. » Read more
Fruits de Mer Records (FdM) is possibly the world's smallest vinyl-only psych/prog/acid folk/krautrock/spacerock record label. They release several new disks each year designed to whet the appetite of the vinyl junky and music officiando. FdM is joint venture between Andy Bracken and his cohort in crime Keith. Andy is a wonderful chap, whose personality blazes forth in this interview. His energy and enthusiasm are
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