I think I’ve mentioned, the Info Pusher and I spent last week in New Yawk City – my first trip there. And I had some very nice musical experiences (getting burned hilariously by Charles Tolliver’s bass player, for one). Heard some brilliant buskers. Listened to stories about Songs at The Moth. And probably best, we were able to see Charles Spearin’s show The Happiness Project. I’d heard about it (and heard part of the track Vanessa) on the CBC, but had missed the show – so I was thrilled to find it playing near where were staying in NYC, first night we arrived.
The idea behind The Happiness Project album is that Spearin recorded conversations with his neighbours, concerning happiness, and then found the music in their speaking voices and wrote music around them. I won’t say more; you can hear a sample below, and then you ought to get a copy yourself. The vinyl edition, available at Rotate This, allows you a download for your iPod.
This was among the greatest shows I’ve seen. The venue was beautiful (La Poisson Rouge in Greenwich Village); the opening acts were classical experimenters playing Stravinsky on violins and pianos and macbooks; I was happy to chat with Dave Clark, whom I admire; and people were friendly and open; and I was with my girl on my first night ever in New York.
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