Urban Expressions
A series of 21st Century Town and City views, set to music by The TrancePorter
Shake It Loose
At first (in my Neolithic Orkney collection) I strived to create stuff that sounded like genuine music, to kind of prove the instrument's ability... I'm a little more confident in that now, so here I embark on creating tracks that fit more with my punk-DIY ethic; ie. something a little bit more unhinged.
The starting image is a building in Bow (London). I guess most will see it as dilapidated. I saw it as beautiful. The broken windows and abundant graffiti spoke to me of 'urban reclamation' - standing in the face of London's sweeping tide of gentrification; community given true voice. Yes, it IS dilapidated, but all creation springs from destruction. Such 'vandalism' is pure uncensored, unsanctioned, expression. I wanted to give voice to that struggle between State and Community, a rallying call to SHAKE IT LOOSE. Take it back, mark it, claim it, own it.
Underbelly
Gentrification was a big part of my experience while performing round South London, so I wanted to include this image of the Save Brixton Arches campaign. I don't think they were saved, but what's important isn't that we 'win' (there are no winners in a capitalist system) but only that we fight.
The High Society
I decided to teach The TrancePorter to play drum rudiments (well, as far as drum rudiments CAN be played by midi) which has made creating the drum patterns a little easier. I've also added the ability to create crescendos...
So here's the third Urban Expression, based on a photograph of the cafe ceiling in the V&A, which would make a most excellent dance venue...