Whenever I speak with an artist, I always try to follow up by experiencing one of their live shows. Call it research. I want to witness their sonic philosophies in action! “Talk is cheap, listen to this instead!” In my mind, that’s just good journalism. How can I relate to you about something I haven’t experienced myself?
That’s exactly how it went with Italian-born DJ and producer, David Castellani, and our conversation on March 3 was anything but cheap. As a matter of fact it was a spirited and enlightening discussion that did more than pique my already heightened interest to attend his Noetic record label’s Chicago showcase held at Cermak Hall on Saturday, March 7. I often think of artists as storytellers, but David comes across more as a spiritual scientist. From what my ears witnessed this past Saturday, he’s definitely an academic of the audiovisual order.
During our discussion, David presented himself as an astute practitioner of worldly sounds. He detailed a connection between music and its ability to cause biological and chemical reactions in the body. Maybe that’s why I get happy feet and I gotta bust a move when I hear certain sounds. Perhaps that’s why our bodies tense up or relax when we hear music tuned to specific frequencies. I’ll explore these concepts with you all in more detail later on, as I’m preparing a feature about David sourced from the wealth of information we exchanged to be published through Poze Magazine. For now, let me tell you my March 7 Cermak Hall excursion. If you don’t know where to park, I’ve got some guidance. I’m not professionally a valet, but I know how to take a walk. I’m Bear Swiftly, the Electro Scribe, and let me cast a vision of the excellence I discovered through my sound reflections from this night’s technotic exhibition.
The parking situation at Cermak Hall/Radius will run you pretty much $40 for a lot directly across from the venue. There are some cheaper options nearby if you check apps like SpotHero or Park Chicago. I, instead, elected to try out a maneuver I’d been brainstorming since the weekend before. Radius is across the bridge from Chinatown, and there’s a public lot about a fifteen-minute walk on south Wentworth avenue. It costs about $20 for anything over 3 hours, and I felt good about the security of this location. My Indiana based foot model had visited me the weekend prior where we stayed in the Jaslin hotel for a concert at Radius and I left my vehicle in this particular lot for two entire days without incident. At what cost? $40. After a brisk and quick walk from Chinatown Parking, I arrived at Cermak Hall and purchased a ticket for $11.
Security personnel were super friendly in granting entrance to the venue. A quick check of ID, pat down for weapons, and scan of my ticket brought me to the inner sanctum. Tonight’s performance had the “stage” set up in the middle of the room with four separate stations each containing controllers, modules, synthesizers, and mixers. This “stage” felt more like a laboratory in my opinion. I recognized instantly that tonight, I was in for a unique spectacle. Each of the artists would bring their A games and sonic philosophies to share.
This had all the feelings of an underground event; old school warehouse vibes where you had to be in the know if you wanted to attend this show. The audience of supporters was an eclectic and diverse bunch to say the least. Among the myriad of marvelous characters in attendance were freaks, geeks, squeaks, meeks, peeks, deeks, fleeks, sheeks, teaks, creaks, weak-side strongs, AND even a gaggle of reeks. As the night carried along, and I grooved to many a song, I became an effervescent creek. Sweat, baby, sweat. If artists are like preachers, and eager onlookers the congregation, perspiration is like the bodies hallelujah. Maybe that’s a stretch, and you should always set aside some time and space to focus on your bodies flexibility. Limber and agile with plenty of mobility is a great way to move through life, especially if you’re unsure of the terrain that lay ahead.
Let’s talk about the sounds on display at this technotronic showcase. When I was first turned on to David Castellani, he was introduced as a techno artist. Which he certainly is, and oh so much more! His live sets possess an authentic character highlighted through a synthesis of cross-cultural sounds. Throughout the night, and starting with Kompressor, the varying drum patterns reminded me of something ancient and primal. My mind’s eye summoned scenes from eras long past like Native American drum circles where drummers lay a beat to charge their tribesman’s souls. In my imagination, tonight felt similarly. The energy in the building built slowly as a few patrons at a time became infected with the dancer’s spirit. Before long, the entire room had found their rhythm amidst the considerate productions emanating from our maestros.
One of the absolute highlights of my night was the collaborative spirit I noticed between performers. David Castellani followed after Kompressor, but later on the Aztec Warrior returned where they crafted a bit of duet from their respective stations. At least, that’s what I thought I witnessed. Now mind you, they weren’t singing together, although they both probably have lovely voices that can hit those high notes. No, this was more akin to combining techniques and proficiencies in aligning sequences. Almost like scientists in a laboratory testing theories and combinations in pursuit of supporting a hypothesis. A sonic scientific method unfurling right before my eyes and filling my eardrums.
One of the occurrences I was very much looking forward to experiencing this night was hearing David’s incorporation of the didgeridoo during his modular performance. Which he delivered as midnight approached. I’m not gonna lie, it felt like it was summoning something to rise from my soul’s abyssal depths. Almost like a war horn encouraging a kind of preparation for what would follow. I thought of several battle sequences from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and imagined myself as a warrior of light receiving battle orders meant to reinforce my mettle to stand against whatever darkened forces might be looking to descend upon this sanctuary. Which there weren’t. That’s just my own imagery I’ve supplied for your entertainment. In this life, we each have our roles to play, and music is a language of frequencies that helps in supporting our processes. There are many flavors from which to choose, we all have our preferences, but I do very much enjoy exploring new soundscapes worthy of my time.
That’s what I certainly got from David Castellani’s Noetic showcase. Blessed! Joining him and Kompressor were the talented Lady Starlight + Sterac. Plus the Berlin-based American, MAEDON. These five aural academics each delivered unique neural disciplines flowing forth to extraordinary effect. One of my favorite parts of underground-esque techno shows like this is how the music continues forward with barely any interruption. A new artist takes the stage requiring no introduction, but you can tell subtle differences in execution that serve as cues a new composer has taken the helm. Just like science has different studies (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, psychology, etc.) each performer casts personally constructed sets rippling with notes straight from their intellect. Listen closely, and perhaps you’ll hear a story rife with the passion of their pursuits. I often do. Some might even contend these performances are symbolic of communication sent from a source beyond our human senses.
One final reflection before I sign off for this episode of Electro Scribe. A definition of the word Noetic. It’s derived from the Greek adjective noētikos, meaning “intellectual”, from the verb noein (“to think”) and ultimately from the noun nous, meaning “mind.” Noetic relates to noesis, a rare term attributed to philosophy and the action of perceiving or thinking. Merriam-Webster defines Noetic as an adjective meaning “of, relating to, or based on the intellect” (Merriam-Webster). It is of the conscious mind which is where creativity primarily flows forth from, and there’s a damn good reason David Castellani named his record label Noetic in 2021. You’ll learn more about that, and so much more, in a couple of months once my official David Castellani feature is released through Poze Magazine.
Well, that’s about it. I should wrap this up, but before I do, I’m gonna leave you with a few quotes and inspiration. Why? “Cuz I gotta!” I adore all my readers and listeners, I appreciate each and every one of you ever so much, and I want you all to find blessings throughout your journey. Since you happily give me your time and attention, I always strive to instill you with knowledge that can help you be more purposeful and intentional with how you move through this world. So here are four quotes which I found this week which resonated with me, and I believe they’ll motivate you too.
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” — Henry David Thoreau
“The present is the ever-moving shadow that divides yesterday from tomorrow. In that, lies hope.” — Frank Loyd Wright
“No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on and it will be better tomorrow.” — Maya Angelou
“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” — Carl Jung
This is Bear Swiftly, the Electro Scribe, signing off. Sayonara all you samurai.
Be well, be successful. Bear Swiftly.
–Electro Scribe–
