January 31, 2014

Friday night live at Transistor: ersatz modem and hicksoncompactgroup. Sound by Jon Monteverde.

ersatz modem is the electronic music project of visual artist Spencer Hutchinson, a 2009 BFA graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Beginning in late 2004, his work has since been showcased and performed in new-media festivals both nationally and internationally. In 2013 he was nominated as the featured artist for the Garfield Park Neighborhood during Chicago Artist's Month.

For his Transistor set Spencer used a pair of Numark turntables and Ms. Pinky time coded vinyl to play back original music.

Visit ersatz modem on Bandcamp, Soundcloud and Vimeo.

Also available: a previous ersatz modem Transistor performance from May 31, 2013.

hicksoncompactgroup is the music project of Chicago-area musician Matt Pataky. Since 1999, HCG has been recording songs with influences that range from minimalist and experimental music to psychedelic rock and American primitive guitar. Using various instruments and self-taught recording techniques, HCG makes abstract soundscapes that may have you looking around for where those noises are coming from.

For this Transistor set HCG performed solo guitar through a string of effects pedals and amplifiers. Creating live loops and sound manipulations with prepared guitar and contact microphones, songs go from gradual fingerpicked improvisations to spaced-out drone and beyond.

Visit hicksoncompactgroup on Bandcamp and Soundcloud.