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Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 06-19-2010, 07:20 PM

Alright, being an avid fan of Avant Garde especially of the Rock In Opposition variety, I've done a little studying here and there of things. But, feel there's probably more that I could look into.

So, I'm wondering, what all books have you read or documentaries have you watched that have enlightened you on things involving experimental music:

File Under Popular - absolutely brilliant set of thesises by Chris Cutler, one of the founding members of Henry Cow, and essentially the spokesman of the Rock Against Rock concept. Basically, goes in detail explaining what RIO is, and goes very in depth in the philosophies of the future(at the time 1982) of progressive rock, historical perspective of British prog, and even a bit on Residents/Sun Ra(****ING GOD!!!) for good measure. Every good reading. Contains a brilliant, even if self indulgent, set of suggested albums contained. Where I found about AMM and Negativland.

Step Across the Border - another brilliant piece, this time a documentary, by the other major founding member, and by far one of the most important figures in the genre, if not the most, Fred Frith. It's a little less intense, Frith presents his point in a more human emotional sense, but it fails to grasp the concept with full completeness. However, paired with File Under Popular really garners both the intellectual, and free spirited, aspect that creates the RIO thread of music.

Space Is the Place - Not sure whether to count it, or not, but Sun Ra's movie. Neat little camp piece that parodies blacksploitation, and 50s space films. A lot of Sun Ra philosophy, yet only for die hard fans, I'm thinking.

Frank Zappa interviews - any of them, they're ingenious. Zappa is so clear headed, socially conscious, and relevant on the music industry. Plus, anything PMRC era where he's on TV is brilliant.

John Cage documentary - don't know what it was called but I watched it on youtube, and damn... Completely and utterly amazed at how deep John Cage fearlessly challenged the norm. Basically, strung together with bits of John Cage philosophy as it explores his attempts to build his own sort of chamber of sounds(and his brilliance analyzing the location of sounds, and how they are just as musical as what's coming from your instruments). John Cage was a lifechanging thinker, and musical philosopher. Anything with him is platinum.

Any rate, that's about all I can think of except for random youtube excerpts, maybe a Frith interview here and there, etc. I was wondering if there were any more materials that allowed me to garner some knowledge on Avant Garde beyond the incredibly uninformed misnomer of "Patton invented it all", which I say with all due respect to Mr.Mike Patton.

Any suggestions?

06-19-2010, 07:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra \/ GOD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nowhere... Posts: 2,179	Books/Documentaries on Avant Garde Alright, being an avid fan of Avant Garde especially of the Rock In Opposition variety, I've done a little studying here and there of things. But, feel there's probably more that I could look into. So, I'm wondering, what all books have you read or documentaries have you watched that have enlightened you on things involving experimental music: File Under Popular - absolutely brilliant set of thesises by Chris Cutler, one of the founding members of Henry Cow, and essentially the spokesman of the Rock Against Rock concept. Basically, goes in detail explaining what RIO is, and goes very in depth in the philosophies of the future(at the time 1982) of progressive rock, historical perspective of British prog, and even a bit on Residents/Sun Ra(****ING GOD!!!) for good measure. Every good reading. Contains a brilliant, even if self indulgent, set of suggested albums contained. Where I found about AMM and Negativland. Step Across the Border - another brilliant piece, this time a documentary, by the other major founding member, and by far one of the most important figures in the genre, if not the most, Fred Frith. It's a little less intense, Frith presents his point in a more human emotional sense, but it fails to grasp the concept with full completeness. However, paired with File Under Popular really garners both the intellectual, and free spirited, aspect that creates the RIO thread of music. Space Is the Place - Not sure whether to count it, or not, but Sun Ra's movie. Neat little camp piece that parodies blacksploitation, and 50s space films. A lot of Sun Ra philosophy, yet only for die hard fans, I'm thinking. Frank Zappa interviews - any of them, they're ingenious. Zappa is so clear headed, socially conscious, and relevant on the music industry. Plus, anything PMRC era where he's on TV is brilliant. John Cage documentary - don't know what it was called but I watched it on youtube, and damn... Completely and utterly amazed at how deep John Cage fearlessly challenged the norm. Basically, strung together with bits of John Cage philosophy as it explores his attempts to build his own sort of chamber of sounds(and his brilliance analyzing the location of sounds, and how they are just as musical as what's coming from your instruments). John Cage was a lifechanging thinker, and musical philosopher. Anything with him is platinum. Any rate, that's about all I can think of except for random youtube excerpts, maybe a Frith interview here and there, etc. I was wondering if there were any more materials that allowed me to garner some knowledge on Avant Garde beyond the incredibly uninformed misnomer of "Patton invented it all", which I say with all due respect to Mr.Mike Patton. Any suggestions?