As 15 musicians of the Tinderbox Orchestra arrived quietly one by one to sign in at the reception of Broughton High School. I’m not sure anybody knew of the explosion of symphonic sounds that was about to errupt from the assembly hall. With 45 minutes to set up, sound check and run a new tune, before 120 S1 and S2 pupils arrived to fill the seats, it was all go! We were there to let pupils know about tinderbox music opportunities in their local area as part of a recruitment push for our Tuesday night hub at North Edinburgh Art Centre. From simple song writing and guitar chords to rap vocals of a scientific nature with orchestral flurries of cello and oboe, pumped up by drums & bass, the music spoke for itself. If you didn’t already get involved conducting the orchestra on the day, come along to North Edinburgh Arts in Muirhouse 6 – 8pm and see what it’s all about! Thanks again to the music team at Broughton high for inviting us in!
Amazing Harmonies is a community music group for children (generally aged 5-15) in North Edinburgh born out of the adult community singing group of the same name. Twice a month the group has been gathering to learn instruments and to prepare a dazzling performance for their upcoming Christmas concert at North Edinburgh Arts on Thurs 19th December. The children are in no way lacking in enthusiasm and determination to learn – and we have been having fun both with music and with games!
We’ve spent the last few weeks hanging out at Granton Youth Club making some music and teaching instruments. It’s great to see that a lot of the participants are keen to get involved with being creative, wether that means writing a song about Lidl (which did happen!), singing their favourite song with a tutor accompanying them or just listening to music whilst they do some arts and crafts. We’ve even had a couple of GYC participants coming to the Tue hub at North Edinburgh Arts, which is amazing!
We’re very much looking forward to the next session!
In Autumn 2019 we brought together visual and sonic artists from across the country to our studio in Custom House, Leith. There were a vibrant mix of disciplines and a range of creative potentials and takeaways – something suitable for every level of experience.
These workshops built on the success of our pilot workshop on Pure Data with Yann Seznec and our recent introduction to SuperCollider with Tom Mudd, which we hope to run again sometime.
Alternative Controllers and Pure Data with Ryan Scott
A workshop from Glasgow-based music technologist Ryan Scott. In this workshop, we learnt how to pair Pure Data with machine learning middleware extending musical control in exciting new ways!
Mechanical Techno with Graham Dunning
Finally, we had London-based artist and musician Graham Dunning whose unique approach to music-making, which he describes as, ‘Mechanical Techno’, involves hacking old records, building a physical sequencer triggering modular synths. In this workshop, we got the chance to build a Mechanical Techno setup and record our own inimitable dance track.
Making Things Move with Jen Sykes
Jen Sykes from Glasgow School of Art delivered a workshop involving micro-controllers, kinetic sculptures and electronics. This workshop introduced us to a range of engaging, practical methods to operate and alter the behaviour of toys, mechanics and found objects.
An Introduction to TouchDesigner with Ray Interactive
Sam and Brendan from Edinburgh-based art and design studio Ray Interactive gave an introduction to the versatile and creative visual programming environment TouchDesigner. If you ever wanted to make live-visuals for your music or enjoyed exploring jitter in Max MSP then you’ll get a lot out of TouchDesigner.
“Brings together the past and present, in the form of Asian folklore, sound art, Chinese Opera and rock”, BBC Radio 3 “Rave Culture meets Last Night of the Proms” The Herald “A Personal Favourite” Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music
New Single – ‘Talking About Birds’: Out on 25st August 2019. – Talking About Birds, Part II (Radio edit, 4 mins): Soundcloud – Talking About Birds (full version): Soundcloud
Scotland’s pioneering young collective, the Tinderbox Orchestra, announce the release of their latest single ‘Talking About Birds’ – a spellbinding collaboration with avant-garde Chinese rock star, Song Yuzhe, from the acclaimed ensemble Dawanggang (German Music Critics Album of the Year Award; “Brings together the past and present, in the form of Asian folklore, sound art, Chinese opera and rock” BBC Radio 3).
‘Talking About Birds’ is an epic 16-minute journey in two parts. From soaring saxophone solos to barren soundscapes, experimental choirs and haunting folk melodies, the recording features over 100 musicians and singers aged 12 to 80. This awe-inspiring collaboration is underpinned by the thundering vocals of lead singer Song Yuzhe and the immense sound of the full Tinderbox Orchestra & backline. The result is a profoundly original, timeless piece of music that will take your breath away.
The track depicts a mystical scene from a new opera (in development) by Song Yuzhe, in which an unlikely gathering of animals undertake a boat crossing to a holy mountain and are held-up by a furious battle of birds overhead.
Part 1 opens with a beautiful and serene song that breaks suddenly into a relentless, mesmerising groove, with towering vocals and a string of instrumental solos reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s Great Gig in the Sky. The track builds to an enormous climax before a calming mantra slows the music to a stand-still. Part 2 changes scene with a fast-paced, off-kilter folk melody, which dives unexpectedly into giant choruses that shake the heavens, before jumping back to the quiet intensity of the opening folk riffs.
‘Talking About Birds’ follows the successful release of Tinderbox’s debut album in 2017. The album received four-star reviews, and singles received spot plays on BBC Radio 6 Music (Tom Robinson) and on BBC Radio Scotland (Vic Galloway, Janis Forsyth). This radio play was complemented by a ferocious live show, which won them legions of new fans on the festival circuit, with visits to Latitude, Doune the Rabbit Hole and Hidden Door. The orchestra also collaborated with Scottish Album of the Year Award Winner Kathryn Joseph, joining the alt-folk luminary for special shows in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
About Tinderbox Fiercely independent, Tinderbox combine core values of inclusivity and togetherness with an ambition to hit the highest levels of creativity and originality. Driven by an unshakeable desire to help people grow in confidence through music, they have run workshops with thousands of children & young people, gathered an international cast of professional collaborators, produced a variety of award-winning and experimental productions, and transformed preconceptions of what an orchestra can be.
‘A trip on a grand, ambitious and stimulating scale” **** The Scotsman ‘Spectacular’ **** The Guardian ‘Rave culture meets last night of the Proms’ – The Herald ‘A personal favourite’ – Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music ‘An Orchestral Revolution’ – Edinburgh Evening News
About Dawanggang Award-winning ensemble created by Song Yuzhe, an eclectic musician from the North East of China.
“Brings together the past and present in the form of Asian folklore, sound art, Chinese opera and rock” BBC Radio 3 “One of the strangest and most oddly compelling albums of the year” **** The Guardian German Music Critics Album of the Year Award
Notes to the editor: For further information, or press assets, please contact Anna Fraser on: Tel: 07920 425 835, Email: admin@tinderboxcollective.org
What a privilege it was to play at Solas festival. Thanks to all the festival organisers and to Adlib for the incredible sound. What a lovely way to finish off the term.
Looking forward to getting into rehearsals for our Fringe shows at the Pianodrome! More on that soon ;)!
“And so we’ve reached the end of Tinderbox Sparks for this year. It’s been a group who have lived up to the name. Full of ideas and creativity. Wild improvisations and a very unusual group composition about a flying pig who saves us all. Check out this video of the ensemble playing ‘Rather Be’.” – Jed (Tinderbox Manager)
“Niki and KC have really enjoyed working with the children at seamab learning general music skills and beginning to focus on an instrument.
We handed out all these certificates today, (courtesy of our admin queen Anna) and want to say a huge thank you and well done to all the guys and girls and teaching team at seamab for all the fun music times! Thanks for sharing make music day with us and see you after the summer!” – Niki (Tinderbox Tutor and Artist).
The sessions at Sick Kids Hospital range from singalongs and jamming on the percussion to songwriting and bedside performances. This week Hailey wrote a song in 15 minutes with 2 young girls about things they liked!
“Friday was a truly inspiring evening to finish of our project with Sound Cycle at Mac Arts in Galashiels. Young Borders bands Three Out Of Four and Geckohead were absolutely fantastic. Both bands were totally professional, musically tight with huge stage presence. Tinderbox Orchestra played an absolute blinder and we all agreed that we can’t wait to play at Mac Arts again!
Thanks to everyone involved especially all the team at Mac Arts, Sound Cycle, Borders Young Creatives, Three Out Of Four, Geckohead, Bryan Jones on the sound and all the players in the Tinderbox Orchestra.” – Jed (Tinderbox Manager).
Last month, Niki and Anna were at Craigroyston high school for a few weeks helping out with their Mega May expressive arts take over during the exam period!
“We had some brilliant groups creating their own fantasy bands, planning concerts, designing logos, posters, and fliers, and a crash course in songwriting too!”- Anna (Tinderbox Tutor and Artist).
We look forward to more sessions at Craigroyston in the future!
It was an inspirational rehearsal at the Jazz Bar on Sunday. We had collaborators in the form on the young and brilliant ’Three out of Four’ (pictured) from the Borders playing their song, Night to remember (https://youtu.be/GCuPp1a9oSA).
Also the exuberant and joyful ‘ACE Voices’ visiting from Aberdeen. And of course the sublime talent of Hailey Beavis. Things are really hotting up ready for the gig on 16th June at the Jazz Bar!
“If you haven’t made it to Mac art in Galashiels yet, then this Friday is the time to do it! The doors of this stunning converted church have been open each Wednesday night for the past 6 weeks to give a space for young people living across the Scottish Borders to come together and get creative.
James McIntosh of Sound Cycle, the Scottish Borders youth music forum, has hosted Niki , Rab and Jed from Tinderbox coming down to collaborate with the young people on writing arranging orchestrating and building up to performing some exciting new music ( as well as the challenge of seeing how many gig posters we can get up on route from Edinburgh to Galashiels!).
Niki has been heading up the project with her highlight being young composer and orchestrator Rab Taylor from Tinderbox collaborating with band 3 out of 4 to add the power of the Tinderbox Orchestra to a song they finished writing after week 1 of us all meeting. the track is called a night to remember and it definitely will be so hope to see you at Mac arts Friday 7th June from 7-10pm!”
We were delighted when we received all these thank you cards from Granton Primary school children who attended our music workshops! There was over 30 cards with amazingly creative drawings and messages inside. Thank you Granton Primary!
“After each music session at The Sick Kids Hospital, I offer the children and young people the chance to draw on my guitar. Quite often they will draw something relating to what we have been singing about, so the guitar tells the story of all the songs we have written and sung. Everything from exotic holidays to rainbow unicorns and tigers adorn the instrument. It is a journey into the imaginative worlds of the children and young people who have visited the hospital.
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity recently invited me to paint an Oor Wullie, for part of The Bucket Trail, and I decided to reproduce as many of the children’s drawing as possible onto his dungarees, so he can tell the stories to other children who see him, and share the adventures we have had.
My guitar is so full of drawings now that there is no space left. It’s time to paint it white and start again. And by passing all the drawings on to Oor Wullie, it means they will not be lost! Oor Wullie will be revealed soon… watch this space for updates on his new multi coloured dungarees! For now, here is a pic of the awesome hospital guitar!” – Hailey, Tinderbox Artist.
“Exhibition, collaboration and improvisation filled the halls of Custom House for the Room to Play showcase. This year’s cohort displayed a series of innovative and interactive installations with typical Room to Play eclecticism! Visitor spent the morning and early afternoon engaging with the individual works. From Nick Harbourne’s sometimes delicate, sometimes booming, feedback system which mixed sculpture with sound-world; to Eve King and Rhona Sword’s interactive visuals and soundscape; and Dominika Jackowska’s Rorschach paintings-come-light filters which upon viewing magically altered the accompanying soundscape. Later, stuffed toys refitted with accelerometers that detect movement and playback sound- joyous and playful inventions that had entertained and engaged all ages, by Liam Dempsey- featured as solo instruments, played by the audience, in a collaborative performance with the Tinderbox Orchestra. The same treatment was given to the light controlled instrument by Catriona Smith, made out of a recycled harp frame. The artists did an amazing job engaging creatively with the technologies they had come across, often for the first time, in the Room to Play course. The results were a polished and professional showcase that offered something inspiring and playful to the people of Leith.” –Martin Disley, Room to Play Artist.
“Had a great time at my first Tinderbox Lab today! For a while I have been wanting to experiment with audio reactive lighting using MAX/msp and Teensy boards. I came in with a vague idea of what this might entail, but as a sound artist with little experience, I did not have a clue of how to approach this. With Luci’s help, I was able to learn the basics of electronics and Arduino coding and finally put my ideas into practice. The lab’s resources make it possible for everyone to work on various projects and explore creative ideas together. I’m looking forward to also attend some Wednesday lab sessions as well as the Saturday drop ins!” – Sonia, Tinderbox Musician and Digital Artist.
“We had a great session today at our first Saturday Lab, with lots of mini electronics and coding projects and also a visit from games designers Kirsty Keatch and Florian Veltman from London games studio ustwo games!”- Luci, Tinderbox Musician and Digital Artist.
“We had lots of fun with the Tinderbox team at Granton Primary School before the easter break and got a big surprise in the form of lots of thank you cards when we went back in today!
We are excited to be offering a new music hub on Thursdays 5 to 7 p.m. at Granton Youth Club from the 27th April – 27th June!” – Niki.
What a great term we had working with Granton and Ferryhill Primary Schools. They nailed it at the concert. Looking forward to seeing some of the gang back for Tinderbox Sparks starting on Sunday morning!
“Have you ever wondered what it was like to see the world through a bat’s eyes? Mostly darkness and misty shapes, rather akin to me sans glasses. A rather better question is: What does it mean to hear the world like a bat?
Working with the mildly baffling and eternally frightening
software that is Pure Data* (PD), this week’s Room to Play focused on
programming an ultrasonic sensor to do our musical bidding. The sensor is
plugged into a breadboard into which a Teensy board is slotted, providing the
link between computer and hardware. In order to hear what it’s outputting, you
must then turn to software to interpret the data. Max MSP does the job
absolutely fine, and I’m pretty sure if you worked hard enough any software
would work, even Audacity, though I shudder at the thought. The wonderful thing
about PD is that is it a free, flexible piece of software which apes much of
Max MSP’s workflow with rather less hand-holding, being perfect for myriad
purposes including the one we’ll be using it for today.
Transforming the data from the sensor into something usable
in PD takes a small while to figure out. Scaling issues, Arduino code
confusion, and incorrectly constructed breadboards are among the problems (note
how there’s always one common factor: myself). However it’s very easy to use to
quickly alter parameters such as sample start and end times. This is the first
step towards a controllable granular synthesiser, which is precisely what I
failed to create in the session. Rapidly retriggering a recorded sample allows
you to work within miniscule time scales, something that’s great for
granulation – though hard on the ears. The challenge is working out effective
enveloping in order to reduce zero-point crossing, why you get unpleasant
glitches, and then how to make sure those envelopes don’t get totally mangled
in the process.
All of these challenges aside, it’s mildly amusing and
vaguely effective to simply programme the data in order to trigger random
parameters for an aleatoric outcome and then ‘perform’ it, similarly to how one
would perform a theremin. Cue several minutes of hand waving and general
wizardy-looking performance.
One of the issues in using an ultrasonic sensor is that the
data isn’t very pure. Because of the way the sensor works – emitting a sound
from a speaker, recording the reverberation from a surface with a microphone,
and then calculating the distant based on travel time – you end up with a lot
of interference from different surfaces. Therefore, its use should be very
carefully thought out, or used for something that doesn’t care about inaccurate
data. However, when building an unpredictable and quite frankly crazy sounding
PD patch, I don’t think the accuracy of data really matters all that much in
the grand scheme of things. Somehow, being wrong only makes it feel more right.
Except when it stops working
entirely, at which point you throw the entire system out of the window.
As a continuation of our exploration in working with different types of sensors, the ultrasonic sensor ended up being interesting but a little hard to make work predictably. As a tool to create controlled chaos it was certainly effective. The important question though is, did we end up hearing what a bat hears? I certainly hope not, lest I mourn for the unfortunate fate of our local bat population, periodically flying into nearby chimneys at the behest of their faulty sensors. “
*Colloquially known as
What-Is-That-Why-Is-It-Beeping-Oh-God-I-Think-It’s-On-Fire Data, or the catchy
WITWIIBOGITIOFD.
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