This episode was edited down from a live radio stream for Bedcrumbshow in February, 2024.
When Brent came out to my humble trailer in Joshua Tree for this live radio stream, we really had no idea where the vibrational currents would take us. What unfolded was the most fun and freeform episode we’ve ever done, an organic flow of improv LPs, inquisitive discussions, and an improvised on-air performance. As usual, I start the show with full LP side to get into the listening zone; this time it was The Liquified Throne of Simplicity by Širom, the adventurous “imaginary-folk” trio from Slovenia. After this selection, Brent shares about his recent deep dive into the music and lore of the Los Angeles Free Music Society, spinning LPs from L.A.F.M.S., Le Forte Four, and Smegma. Naturally this lead to us exploring how the LA free music continuum has expanded in the present day, reflecting on our experiences with Sideshow Books and the improvised performances they would host on the sidewalk of La Cienega while confused dogwalkers and the slow stream of bumper-to-bumper traffic crept on by. After listening to some free space music records by Hamscholar and the Institute for Quantum Music Research, we were inspired to perform live on the air, a spacey improvisation with Brent on the oscillator and Ash bouncing a beer can on an echo-laden autoharp to curious effect. For the final stretch, Brent discusses the creation of their cathartic cassette, At Last I Accept the End of All That I Hold Dear before we give a focused listen to the track “06.22.22”, recorded out here in Joshua Tree.
Since the show is pretty damn long, I mapped out a timeline for curious listeners who want to skip to any particular segment:
0:00 – Sirom – The Liquified Throne of Simplicity
19:35 – LA Free Music Society Deep Dive with Brent (LAFMS, Le Forte Four, Smegma)
1:01:00 – Current LA DIY Experimental Continuum (Hamscholar, Sideshow Books, Institute for Quantum Music Research)
1:44:30 – Live On-Air Duo Improvisation with Brent & Ash (for Oscillator, Autoharp, Beer Can, & Echo)
1:51:30 – Martin Escalante – Destroyed on Every Level (“Cerebro Métalico / Test Roast” & discussion)
2:16:20 – Brent V. – At Last, I Accept (Album discussion & “06.22.22” cassette listen)
2:33:30 – Evan Parker – “Aerobatics 4”
- 0:00 – Sirom – Liquified Throne of Simplicity (Side B)
- 15:55 –Talk Break (Introductions)
- 23:00 – LAFMS – 35 S. Raymond Ave
- 32:00 – Talk Break
- 37:00 – Le Forte Four – Spin ’N Grin
- “The Cow & the Bumblebee” “Amazing Three” “Speed Racer” “Smix”
- 44:10 – Talk Break
- 49:20 – Smegma – Abacus Incognito
- 53:45 – Talk Break
- (LAFMS conclusion, La Forte Four, Poo Bah, LA DIY Experimental Continuum)
- 70:50 – Talk Break
- (Side Show Books, Guattari, Ham Scholar, Torrance Art Museum – Open Studio Exhibition)
- 71:15 – Grump, Brent, Ash TAM Performance (Phone Recording |Grump, Brent, Ash)
- 74:30 – Ham Scholar – Harry the Ham Man (Side B)
- 94:24- Talk Break Institute for Quantum Music Research, Departure From Music Venues, Micro-Scene Collisions)
- 95:50 – Institute for Quantum Music Research – “TGYG” (7″ Lathe)
- 104:30 – On Air-Duo Improvisation
- Brent – Oscillator; Ash – Autoharp & Beer Can
- 111:30 – Martin Escalante – “Cerebro Métalico / Test Roast”
- 123:20 – Talk Break (Martin Escalante, Muscle Beach)
- 126:20 – Brent V. – At Last, I accept the end of all things I that hold dear (Cassette)
- Discussion on Album Background
- 36:44 – Brent Vallefuoco – “6.2.22”
- 150:45 – Talk Break, Conclusions
- 53:30 – Evan Parker – “Aerobatics 4”
