paleontol0gist
I ASPIRE TO BE, HELD MOMENTARILY, BY THE TRAIN’S DISPATCHER (GBR046)
Released March 6th, 2020
This debut solo recording from Jonah Rosenberg, aka paleontol0gist, represents both a return and a culmination in musical undertakings. I ASPIRE TO BE, HELD MOMENTARILY, BY THE TRAIN’S DISPATCHER is a micro-environment of songs couched in experimental sound, noise, chamber music orchestration and pop-continuum forms.
Much of this music developed out of purely abstract and experimental processes: sounds harvested from algorithms in Max/MSP, or ideas extracted from guitar preparations processed through old pedals rescued from teenage years. “ROTATING” emerged from the base elements of an algorithm designed to spontaneously generate just-intonation material, simple square waves, and the clinking of Rosenberg’s Grandmother’s wine glass. These elements were woven into a sonic tapestry that became the bedrock into which a choral song structured could be carved.
“SUN LIFTOFF (Parts 1 and 2)” has its genesis in a similar fashion: an improvisation conjured from synthesizers was combined with samples and signal processing, creating an imposing sonic mass. After being built up in Part 1, Part 2 then strips it back down. A simple song texture appears with the vertical complexity of string orchestration, and layered synthesizers return, summoning a grand emotional world for Rosenberg’s voice to coast over.
I ASPIRE TO BE... is a “solo” recording in a most literal sense - the majority of the instruments (keyboards, guitars, bass, saxophones and bass clarinet) were played by Rosenberg (save for the album’s special guest spots, in which Daniel Carter shines with his barrage of instruments) and who also obsessively recorded and mixed the album. While I ASPIRE TO BE... is a new type of project that his contemporary art community has yet to see from him, it’s a thorough representation of his influences and experiences.
Rosenberg has been a fluid and familiar presence across many disciplines in the NYC arts world for nearly a decade. Improv lovers will know him from his work as a pianist and composer for improvisers in his Fabio Trio (w/ James Ilgenfritz, Kevin Shea), stints with free-jazz legends Charles Downs (Rashid Bakr) and Daniel Carter, The Listening Group, and multitudinous others. In the world of new music, he’s composed electro-acoustic chamber music for Ensemble Sans Maitre, andPlay, The Heavy Hands Bass Quartet and many others. His work in the dance world has involved composing and collaborating with AOMC/AORTA films, Ana Collaborations, and Koryn Wicks (NYC and LA). His work has also graced collaborative theater venues like HERE Arts Center and The Public Theater, feature documentaries, and short films.
I ASPIRE TO BE... attempts to amalgamate and churn together these disparate influences into a hearty sonic broth, meant to offer as much to the abstract listener as to those craving song form.