A new sonic vortex has emerged in Mullumbimby that weaves instrumentation and technology into a captivating groove. Paradigm Vortex will perform live across four Fridays in May at the Courthouse Hotel.
Performing two sets per night; a dinner set at 7pm, and an energised set at 9pm – with guest DJs from 5pm.
Making use of 1970s music technology from Japan, the Paradigm Vortex trio improvise genre-defying sounds that enchant and intrigue. No two sets are the same.
Pulling from the traditions of the region’s psychedelic music, alongside dub mixing methodologies, the centrepiece of the band is a heavily modified 1970s home organ made by Brother. Yes, the company known for sewing machines and computer printers! The Auto Emillion GX-151 features an analogue drum machine, and a selection of symphonic tones and old school accompaniments that evoke a steroidal level of nostalgia.
Local maestro, Ken Naughton – a classically trained multi-instrumentalist – rides the GX with gusto, and extracts euphoric and cathartic sonic progressions that take listeners on an evocative journey.
Rich Mann embellishes this sonic foundation with his Hammond 44HP Melodica, evoking bluegrass, roots and reggae vibes.
Equally important 1970s tech is the Hawk HE-2150 Tape Echo. Brendan Palmer is on the mix, and takes the signals generated by Ken and Rich and performatively ‘dubs them out’, amplifying the nostalgia to stratospheric levels.
Listeners seem to experience PV on a uniquely individual level, describing the sound in a diversity of ways including; ‘It’s jazz/ dub/ blues/ klezmer/ exotica/ arcade game music/ circus/ Middle Eastern/ Balkan/ Hawaiian and psychedelic…’, or, like Dave from Myocum said, ‘It’s music as I’ve never heard it before!’.
Guest DJs will be tuning in each week and contributing their own mix of exotic sounds:
5 May, Sheerien and Dubchaman; 12 May, Bamboozle and Crucial D; 19 May, Fahrenheit, and Victor Xray; and 26 May, Naked Ninja, Cinco Cinco Conco and Mantiki.
Fridays in May at the Courthouse Hotel, Mullumbimby.
5pm until late.
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