Musicia, Issue 1, November 17th 2013

Zeitgiest III - November 16th, Boone IA.   

When I got the chance to play a quick set at one of the Midwest's premier avant garde music events, I of course jumped in.  Fortunately there were only about six people during my Audrey's Mohawk set as the doors were just opening, which was definitely fun and a learning experience.  But knowing what was to come, I was glad to be playing first and to be moving aside so I could enjoy the approaching Big League aural freight train.
Some of the Midwest's and the country's most interesting and talented "noise" artists descended into the lower levels of East Boone Town at the Elephungen for this semi-annual melting pot of good clean weirdness and nice folks for the third installment of the series.  While it might be the last time for the series at this venue, the performers delivered the goods in droves.

Chuck Hoffman of Distant Trains performed on bass with drummer Matt Crowe as Cancer Lake, which turns out is almost jazzy in its sonic improvisational onslaught. Playing every piece of hardware on the drums whether it was intended to be tapped on or not, Crowe brought a semblance of form while never breaking from the pure improvisational flow. All the while Hoffman, as usual, showed no fear of baring his soul through his massive bass riffage, emotional delivery and perfectly-timed distorted chops. 

Breakdancing Ronald Reagan and Dromez returned from Austin with some of the loudest, most brutal sounds I have ever experienced - masterfully delivered and impossible to describe.   Both of these artists have upped their game since last time I saw them, no matter how twisted and enormous the sonic white noise cyclone coming out of the speakers became - it was music for the hopefully protected ears that were packed up against the performers.  

Johnathan Cash of Breakdancing Ronald Reagan 

asks, "Are you ready for this?"  You are not.

Kamrar, by contrast, delivered a softer set of cassette tape mixing and manipulation, hypnotic melodies intertwining and ethereal sounds bouncing off the walls like multicolored light reflecting off water.  This Des Moines combo made up of DJ DJ Tanner and Skyscraper, were as fun to watch at work as they were to kick back and listen to.  

Ames based Stratum features Bryon Dudley, Matt Dake and Tom Russell - all known for being expert players of more traditional instrumentation.   The combo's music is produced from natural sources like guitars, strings, vocal chords and percussion, and comes back out of the speakers with whirling electronic effects.  Russell ended the set with amazing looped violin runs, slowly echoing away as the set came to a close.  

Chuck Hoffman of Distant Trains

Other highlights (although there were too many highlights to attempt to list) - Moultrigger smashing tape decks to the beat.  Bob Bucko Jr. smashing his whole rig at the climax of his set.  Neon Lushell performing a seriously eerie set with "Eraserhead" projected on the wall behind them.  Kyle Miller/Matthew Crowe/Trent Reis synth and drum jam.  Dugout Canoe jamming around the Foozball table.   Masked man The Observer leading a trio with his percussive assault. And snacks. Lots of snacks. 

Keyboard Wizard Paul Hertz

This year's final installment of Zeitgeist was packed with amazing performances and one of the most appreciative audiences around.  Hopefully the "Z" will find a new home and continue to bring the weird to the unlikely (yet somehow perfect for the event) locale of Boone.

Distant Trains with Moultrigger

Liz Gomez of Dromez enjoys a tour nap after destroying Boone

    (Enjoy this Stratum set from the 1st Zeitgeist) 

Photos - stolen from Bryon Dudley and Kyle Miller