Soundcrane cracks $500! Let’s go for a grand!

All the hard work of our artists is starting to pay off, in the form of real help for Japan. We’ve already raised $550, and I’m pretty sure we can get to $1000.

Thanks to everyone who has bought the compilation, and to those who have helped spread the word.

In addition to this good news, I want to share with you all a little more info on some of the musical genii on this project.

Rob Davidson is the leader and bassist of Topology, a polystylistic quintet based at the Brisbane Powerhouse. Since studying composition with Terry Riley, he’s worked with a big range of artists including Geoffrey Rush, the Brodsky Quartet, Katie Noonan, Steve Reich and Michael Nyman. His music is featured in orchestral concerts, festivals and concerts around the world. He is the head of music composition at the University of Queensland.

For the Soundcrane project, Rob’s interpretation of what constitutes a cover has been easily the most creative and unusual. He’s used audio from His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Japan’s national address following the earthquake and tsunami disaster.

McKisko

Praised for her abstract lyricism, curious song structures, and entrancing live shows, McKisko’s first album ‘Glorio’ was released in 2009 to critical acclaim. She was invited to provide live accompaniment to the German Expressionist Film ‘Hintertreppe’ at the Gallery of Modern Art, and was awarded the Grant McLennan Fellowship for song writing, sending her to Berlin in 2010. She has shared the bill with Tiny Vipers, Juana Molina, Jose Gonzales, Grand Salvo and Bon Iver, among others.

The last two years have seen her performing through Australia and Europe, most recently with drummer Kurt Read. With Kurt she has laid down a version of Tenniscoats ‘Baibaba Bimba’.

Her second album is scheduled for release in late 2011.

Innez and Cam are Tiny Spiders. They’re not quite sure what the music they make is. It’s somewhere between punk, pop and noise. Sometimes people tell them that it’s weird. Sometimes people say something like ‘that’s… not what I was expecting’. They enjoy playing it anyway. It’s a good workout, keeps them fit. They haven’t been together as a band for very long, playing their first show in late 2010. Their first jam together came about because Ian Rogers, of No Anchor / Iron On fame, decided that he wanted to start up a pop band - the three organised a time to meet up, but Ian couldn’t make it. Innez and Cam started things without him.

Tiny Spiders have prepared a gloriously raw cover of “Halation” by one of Osaka’s crazier groups, Limited Express (Has Gone?).