Sunwatchers outside at the Cooperage for the Milwaukee Psych Fest on May 5, 2023.

The Sunwatchers were an unexpected highlight for me at the 2019 Psych Fest, and this year they returned with a short but powerful set in the back yard of the Cooperage. 

Sunwatchers is an avant-garde powerhouse which emerged from the music scene of Brooklyn in 2012. The band is comprised of Jim McHugh on guitar, Peter Kerlin on bass, Jason Robira on drums, and Jeff Tobias on saxophone. Sunwatchers produces a really exhilarating blend of free jazz, psychedelia, punk, and experimental rock.

Their debut self-titled album, released in 2016, served as a manifesto for their musical ethos. The band's second album, "II," demonstrated a maturation of their sound, with tighter compositions and a more refined approach to improvisation.

Sunwatchers' live performances are known for their intensity and unpredictability. This years’ Milwaukee Psych Fest was no exception. We’re so lucky to share the Earth with these musicians.

recording information:

SUNWATCHERS
2023-05-05
Milwaukee, WI at the Cooperage
Milwaukee Psych Fest VIII

Peter Kerlin - bass
Jim McHugh - guitar
Jeff Tobias - saxophone and keyboards 
Jason Robira - drums
Meredith McHugh: guest vocals on 2

Tracklist:
1. World People (6:12)
2. Too Gary (3:47)
3. T.A.S.C. ~ Foams (11:50)
4. Beautiful Crystals (7:21)
5. Sunwatchers Versus Tooth Decay (7:26)

Total time = 36:36

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in NOS on stand
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/48
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

Buy their latest album here

downloads:

16bit, 44.kHz FLAC files (201 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps mp3 files (145 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Acid Mothers Temple at the Milwaukee Psych Fest on May 5, 2023

Acid Mothers Temple returned to the Milwaukee Psych Festival this past May and shook the earth with their energetic sound. 

This Japanese psychedelic rock band that has been extremely active since its formation in 1995. Uncountable releases and near-constant touring are their hallmarks. Led by guitarist and visionary Kawabata Makoto, Acid Mothers Temple has become synonymous with experimental, improvisational, and avant-garde music.

At the heart of Acid Mothers Temple's sound is a fusion of various genres, including psychedelic rock, space rock, noise, and free jazz. The band's compositions eschew traditional song formats in favor of a more free-flowing and spontaneous approach. Over the years, Kawabata Makoto has collaborated with a large cast of musicians, bringing in fresh perspectives.

recording information:

ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE

2023-05-05

Milwaukee, WI at the Cooperage

Milwaukee Psych Fest VII

Kawabata Makoto: guitar

Higashi Hiroshi: synthesizer

Jyonson Tsu: voice, guitar, bouzouki 

Ron Anderson: bass 

Satoshima Nani: drums

Setlist:

01 Blue Velvet Blues (26:49)


02 Dark Star Blues (15:56)


03 From Planet Orb With Love -> Good-Bye Mrs. Uranus (16:53)


04 Flying Teapot (Gong) -> Cometary Orbital Drive (17:42)

Total time = 77:20

Source: mono SBD + Line Audio CM3 in X-Y

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.kHz FLAC files (435 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps mp3 files (177 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Sunburned Hand of the Man at the Milwaukee Psych Fest on May 6, 2023

The origins of Sunburned Hand of the Man can be traced back to the vibrant underground music scene of Boston. The original core members, including John Moloney, Robert Thomas, and Paul LaBrecque, shared a passion for pushing the boundaries of traditional musical genres and in 2002 they officially came together to form a band.

The group operates as a loosely organized collective, with members coming and going based on availability and artistic inspiration. This fluidity has allowed the group to constantly evolve, keeping their music fresh and unpredictable.

Musically, Sunburned Hand of the Man defies easy categorization. Their sound is a melting pot of influences, blending elements of free jazz, psychedelia, folk, and noise into a unpredictable sonic tapestry. Improvisation plays a crucial role in their creative process, with each performance taking on a life of its own.

From the early days of self-released albums to collaborations with independent labels, Sunburned Hand of the Man has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is considered conventional music. Albums like Headdress and Fire Escape showcase their ability to create immersive sonic landscapes, while live recordings capture the raw energy and spontaneity of their performances.

The recording information is as follows:

SUNBURNED HAND OF THE MAN
2023-05-06
Milwaukee, WI at the Cooperage
Milwaukee Psych Fest VIII

Shannon Ketch: vocals, synth 
Wednesday Knudsen: sax, synth, flute, vocals
John Moloney: percussion, recorder, loops 
Ron Schneiderman: guitar, percussion, flute
Gary War: synth, octatrack 
Matthew J Rolin: guitar

Jen Powers - keys

Ian St. George - guitar

Tracklist:
01 Untitled (33:55)

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in NOS on stand in balcony next to mixing desk
Additional source: mono SBD feed from Behringer X32
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.kHz FLAC files (184 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps mp3 files (78 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Bill MacKay and Katinka Kleijn at Acme Records and Music Emporium in Milwaukee on November 1, 2019

My Album of the Year for 2019 was Stir by the amazing duo of guitarist Bill MacKay and cellist Katinka Kleijn. Their release on Drag City was captivating with its intricate melodies and gentle harmonies. 

The audience at Acme was treated to a really lovely 45-minute set. The music is difficult to characterize with traditional genres and is a good illustration of the limits of such genres. Classical, avant garden, acoustic... I will go with, "beautiful."

I am so very grateful to Bill and Katinka for allowing me to record.

The recording information is as follows:

BILL MacKAY 

KATINKA KLEIJN

2019-11-01

Milwaukee, WI

Acme Records and Music Emporium

Bill MacKay: guitar 

Katinka Klein: cello

Tracklist:

01 unknown title (7:38)

02 unknown title (12:14)

03 unknown title (9:06)

04 unknown title (7:41)

05 unknown title (7:40)

Total time = 44:19

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 pair on stage (see photo)

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.kHz FLAC files (189 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps mp3 files (101 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Mars Williams' Ayler Xmas at the Sugar Maple in Milwaukee on December 12, 2021

Still not quite recovered from hearing the terrible news yesterday of Mars Williams' death at the age of 68 of a rare form of cancer. 

He had been diagnosed last year with ampullary cancer. The Ampulla of Vater is a small opening in the first part of the small intestine where bile acid from the liver (stored in the gallbladder) and pancreatic secretions are released. I knew he was being treated with surgery and chemotherapy, but still the news of his passing was a shock.

Here is a recording I made of his group Ayler Xmas in December 2021 at a show at the Sugar Maple in Milwaukee. This project is a very clever blending of tunes by Albert Ayler along with traditional Christmas carols.

When my wife and I lived in Chicago during the years 1993-96, I spent many hours seeing live jazz shows at places such as the Lunar Cabaret, the Bop Shop, the Empty Bottle, Hot House, and the Green Mill. Mars was often on the bill. It seemed that for those years I was seeing him perform almost weekly. Mars was above all kind to everyone around us every time I saw him. 

He was scheduled to perform on December 3, 2023 at the Sugar Maple with this same group. 

The recording data is as follows:

MARS WILLIAMS’ AYLER XMAS
2021-12-12
Milwaukee, WI at the Sugar Maple

Mars Williams: sax, suona, toy instruments
Josh Berman: Cornet
Jim Baker: piano, viola, ARP synth
Peter Maunu: guitar, violin
Kent Kessler: bass
Brian Sandstrom: bass, guitar, trumpet
Steve Hunt: drums

Tracklist:
01 First Medley (24:23)
02 Second Medley (32:45)
03 Third Medley (17:17)

Total time = 74:25

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC930 pair on 7-foot stand in front row in NOS + Shure SM58 on 1-foot stand
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

Downloads:

16bit, 44.kHz FLAC files (439 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps mp3 files (185 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Black Duck at Acme Records and Music Emporium in Milwaukee on June 29, 2023

One of the absolute highlights of the 2019 Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN was seeing a trio of musicians from Chicago called Black Duck. Composed of Doug McCombs (probably best known as one of the bassists in the post-rock supergroup Tortoise, but also as the bassist for Eleventh Dream Day and Brokeback), Bill MacKay (who needs no introduction to followers of this blog) and Chicago jazz drummer Charles Rumback.

The performance took place at the tiny Pilot Light bar and was a furious storm of free improvisation featuring two guitars and drums. 

Since then, Black Duck has performed regularly and eventually evolved into playing written songs interspersed by improvised pieces. 

I remember being very excited to hear Bill tell me more than a year ago that the group had finished recording an album.

In June the group came to Acme Records to perform. I was fortunate to be able to record them using a solid one-channel soundboard feed and a pair of microphones about halfway back of the great room.

BLACK DUCK

2023-06-29

Milwaukee, WI at Acme Records

Doug McCombs: bass

Bill MacKay: guitar

Charles Rumback: drums

Tracklist:

01 Jam 1(6:44)

02 The Trees Are Dancing (4:47)

03 Jam 2 (5:07)

04 Of the Lit Backyards (5:03)

05 Jam 3 (2:39)

06 Delivery (7:03)

07 Lemon Treasure (9:04)

08 Jam 4 (4:32)

Total time = 44:59

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 pair in NOS on 8-foot stand about 15 feet from the stage

Additional source: mono soundboard feed

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

Recorded with explicit artist permission by Richard Hayes for the blog Milwaukee Taper.

https://blackduck.bandcamp.com/album/black-duck

https://charlesrumback.bandcamp.com/

https://billmackay.bandcamp.com/

https://acmerecordsmke.com/

With tremendous heartfelt thanks to Doug, Bill, and Charles for allowing me to record them and also to Ken for hosting the group at what is certainly the best record store in the world.

Downloads:

16 bit, 44.1kHz FLAC file (243 MB)

320kbps mp3 file (114 MB)

Check out the NYC Taper blog for a slightly more recent performance by Black Duck:

 http://www.nyctaper.com/2023/11/black-duck-september-9-2023-tubbys-kingston-ny/