What Is TARDKRAFT?

TARDKRAFT:  ”Tard” – an abbreviation of “retard” (to make slow, hinder or impede) + “kraft” – a german word for “power”.  We find power through hinderance.   Or, we hinder power.

Tardkraft is the “dumbed down” version of Spaceship Graveyard.  Tardkraft only exists as a live outdoor mobile improvised electronic music entity.  Here, we forgo the “state of the art” home recording studios for the chaos of the great outdoors and the limitations of tools small enough to be carried wherever we choose to go. Tardkraft requires no stage, no external power source, no permission and no reason.  Tardkraft is wherever it wants to be, whenever it wants to be.  Give us batteries, and we shall have Tardkraft!

To date, there have been thee TARDKRAFT mission (16.07.2011, 06.08.2011, 20.08.2011), all of which have taken place in the evening along the banks of the Fraser River in Vancouver, British Columbia.

These events have had 4-6 participants at each and all were recorded open air using a ZOOM H4 portable digital recorder.  These missions generally run approximately 3-4 hours in length with the recordings captured being edited down into a length appropriate for storage on an Audio CD.

Devices used for TARDKRAFT have included:  battery powered compact monitor speakers (x 2 to 3), VOX Mini 3 battery powered micro guitar amp, Korg Kaossilator (x 2 to 3), Korg Monotron micro synth, Korg Monotribe micro sequencer/synth, FM3 Buddha Machine, iPhone (x 2 to 3), electric guitar, electric violin, various battery powered FX pedals…

Where Spaceship Graveyard strives for the best possible production values for its mission documentation, TARDKRAFT allows for a raw, real sound incorporating all the imperfections and incidental noise of an outdoor, open air recording.  There is no attempt to conceal voices, random interference, passing airplanes, tugboats nor any other incidental sound which may occur.  These recordings stand merely as historical reference documents for events which have passed and where the value of the event was in the experience of its creation and not in the artifacts left behind.  These sonic deposits merely serve as signposts for those wishing to explore these avenues themselves.  For the message of TARDKRAFT is to get OUTSIDE!  Get your hands on something to make some noise with and find a place to do it where you can get your freak on without being disturbed or being disturbing (within reason).

The next revolution in music fits in the palm of your hand.

My Favorite Women

On this day dedicated to the eternal mothers of existence, Here’s an all too incomplete little list of some of the ladies who’ve been of inspiration to me throughout my life.

First up, there’s no way I can do this list without having my mom first up.  I got so much from her it’s scary!

Love her or hate her, Any Rand had a huge influence on me in my 20s.  I still think the fundamentals of her philosophy are sound, regardless of how they’ve been twisted by so called “conservatives”.  The point is she invented her own philosophy which is no small feat.  She stands with a hand full of people who managed to do that throughout human history.

I remember being blown away the first time I saw a documentary on the life of Frida Kahlo.  The depth and detail of her work amazed me and her willingness to reveal the most painful parts of herself was one of the bravest creative expressions I’d ever seen.

Fran Lebowitz is probably one of the most cutting, razor sharp people I’ve ever seen.  I recently saw a documentary on her by Martin Scorsese  and I was truly inspired by the scope of her intellect and somewhat ashamed of our current culture for its tragic lack of such thinkers.

Throbbing Gristle wouldn’t have been half as interesting without the presence of Cosey Fanni Tutti.  She’s managed to defy so many expectations and limitations throughout her career that it’s impossible to truly grasp the scope of what she’s achieved.  Genesis may have been the front man, but Cosey made you really push beyond where other all male bands kept getting stuck on macho aggression as the only form of expression.

Initially, I didn’t think too much of Barbara Stanwyck because I only really knew her from her role on Big Valley in the 60′s.  It wasn’t until TCM came along and I started devouring her old movies that the light went on and I realized what a revolutionary film presence she was.  Her characters consistently jumped outside the normal roles for females at the time, showing women as strong, independent and intellectual.

The first time I had the pleasure of seeing the experimental films of Maya Deren it was like my head was cracked open and my brains were turned upside down.  I’ve never shown her films to anyone who didn’t have the same reaction.  So much of contemporary film technique and style owes everything to her incredible pioneering and visionary work.

I wish it weren’t so late as I would love to go on and on, but I’ll end this totally incomplete and inadequate list at this “lucky seven”.  I’m sure as soon as I post this I’ll think of a laundry list of ladies I’ve forgotten.  Please do forgive me!

Nash the Slash – Night Music (23.02.1978)

My roots are showing!  I remember so clearly seeing this when it was originally broadcast on TV Ontario.  Back in the early part of 1978, my 14 year old brain had only just scratched the surface of what musical landscapes lay beyond the top 40.  Seeing this program was one of those profound, life changing moments when something completely new comes into focus and you instantly know that it’s something that was made for you.  I’d seen Nash’s performance with his band, FM, on the same program a year earlier, so I wasn’t completely unfamiliar with Him.  This second performance did seal the deal in terms of the depth of influence he would have on my future work.  Here is my “soul father” at his best way back in 1978.

Serial Killer Barbie

I’ve been collecting these whenever I come across them.  I don’t know who does them, but they’re sure into some fine detail.  Dexter would be proud!

I Can If You Can

My love for the German group Can seems to grow with each year.  I keep coming across new video of them and these just add fuel to the fire.  Here’s a little selection of some of their amazing live performances.

Prog-rock Britannia (BBC Documentary)

Coming from the time when Punk Rock first burst into the fore and made a point of trashing the indulgences which had taken hold of the music scene in the first half of the 1970′s, I have mixed feelings about some of the music classified as “prog-rock”.   On many levels, the ornateness and decadence where a bit much to take, but, in retrospect, I can be more forgiving now simply because it was all so utterly over the top and outrageous.   In a way, there was a kind of glorious sense of excess to it all and, if nothing else, I can marvel at the heights of hubris that some of these musicians achieved.  Like Icarus, they got a little too full of themselves and ultimately ended up with melted wings in heaps on the ground.  But, while they flew, it could be a spectacular sight to see!  Here is another fine BBC4 documentary on some strange music that you might find yourself guiltily enjoying just a little.

Krautrock (BBC Documentary)

Another excellent entry in BBC4′s series of music documentaries.  Some of my all time favorite music comes from this scene and I was thrilled to see it documented like this.  I hope anyone interested in experimental music will take the time to watch this as so many influential artists emerged from this time and place.

Hawkwind – Deep Space Pioneers (BBC Documentary)

It’s only been in the last few years that I finally took the time to explore the works of a band who has since become a major inspiration.  Hawkwind were always a band that intrigued me, but I was hesitant to explore them because of the complexity of their decades long career.  I finally overcame that apprehension and delved into their early works to get a foundational understanding and have loved what I’ve found so far.  Their “Space Ritual” live performances are certainly the inspirational basis for some things that are starting to take shape now.  So I’m happy to promote this little BBC4 documentary.  I hope you’ll take the time to appreciate this most unique of musical trajectories.   Let’s hear it for scummy space hippies!

Vintage Kraftwerk

Here’s a little collection of vintage Kraftwerk performances I dug up on YouTube.  A largely overlooked period for the group.  It’s good to see these videos surfacing now.

I Dream of Daleks!

There needs to be an adult version of this.  Sorry, the kids don’t get ALL the fun!