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Experimental music
I work on experimental musical projects that involve the combined sounds of classical instruments and electronic timbres from more recent traditions. Some very good results can be obtained. The lunar phases symbolize my moods and my passions for various genres at different stages of my life. Jazz, classical, alt rock and comedic are my favourites. Some of my tunes are pieced together from scratch using the best of my imagination, some others are interpretations of music I have been enjoying for a long time. All this with the vital aid of my DAW and fantastic plug-ins. Are maybe new styles about to develop?
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Watching the pot boil
I would imagine that introducing elements of humour in music can be second nature for some. For me too. But at the risk of coming across as pathetic. If I had to be honest, in some of the tunes of this album I would have tried to reduce the hilarious and playful tones to make things sound a little more dramatic and less ridiculous, but that didn't seem to work too well. So I allowed everything to unfold according to my genuine moods, trying to maintain to my usual tragicomic attributes, which are a reflection of some real life experiences. "Watching the pot boil" is a cross section of amusements during a long time spent waiting for some game changing event. The punchy spells have to do with the rare moments of inspiration, or maybe the sporadic lucidity of a lifetime lived in slow motion.
Children in Office
Rock tune with a hip-hop beat characterised by an offbeat syncopation, also known as rhythmic juxtaposition. The emphasis is placed on the weaker beats, creating a feeling of unevenness, which can make the music feel more dynamic. Children are symbolic of innocence, but also ruthless rivalry in the playground. At its core, it all refers to the frustration felt by many about struggling to compete.
Motherland’s Rock, Helen!
This is a song with a robust drum beat and British rhythm guitar riffs in the background, which tells a story about a date at a warehouse party, where electronic dance music is being played. A difficult decision has to be made on the spot, and feelings of guilt ensue.
Feng Shui
Can the physical environment in our homes and gardens make a difference to our quality of life? If you had the time, the answer to this question would be Feng Shui!, some argue. Others would say that a velvet sofa, providing you could spare some cash for it, would make only a negligible difference.
Orchestral Ballet
Inspired by orchestral sounds and featuring the piccolos and various electronic and vocal effects, this ballet class gives details of determination in the entertainment industry by sharing secrets and highlighting the awkwardness of being an underpaid dancer.
One Tot a Pint
With a distinct folk tone, violins and inhumanely rapid keyboard arpeggios, I tried to portray concise images of pub life throughout constant hangovers and dogs breakfasts. The cherry on the cake? That must be the personification of the urinals, or maybe the race of the face.
Buy the T-shirt
Donations requests are made upon exhortations to buy a t-shirt. The choir and the eunuch interplay with percussions, cellos and synths, forging an unusual classical sound with psychedelic elements.
Treading Water Unfolding in different scales and styles also combining a classical ensemble with dance club sawtooth waves, this tune features guitar solos and wacky drum beats. Among other things, stalemates can be about disappointments, disillusions, anger, and loneliness.
Tart
Round of applause, or should I say round of clapping for all those who like guitars switching from left to right in the background! I hope you will enjoy the bass, deliberately distorted to create a suitable underground environment.
My Punchy Spell
Slightly hypnotic, with a jazzy drum beat and tempo variations, this particular punchy spell is one of those rare time frames when enough energy allows you to express yourself, despite the alter ego's wind ups.
The City Folks
In big cities, people from different countries, traditions and backgrounds live together and sometimes have things in common. Alongside guitars, the detuned saw and the harp, enjoy the percussions and other West African instruments such as the kora, the bafalon, the bolon and the fula flute, which give this tune a tribal character.
The Royal Fish Chef
Sliding bass notes and a distinctive guitar riff for the whole duration put in the spotlight "The Royal Fish Chef", which so far has to be Kursivo's the "good host" and "sit-down comedian" flagship song.
Katia
Primarily created using the Mark One, the Rhodes MK1, and the lead bass samples, it playfully narrates the dream of a romance that has gone awry, likely due to misinterpretations or fading interest.
Hymn to the Bevvies
With a somewhat ironic zest, I aimed to capture the bittersweet experiences surrounding alcohol. The contrasting drum kicks introduce rhythm, while the vocal sections are highlighted by variations of distorted guitar that weave between segments featuring melancholic strings, sitar, and an array of special effects.
Rhyming Compouds
Featuring a dissonant violin and a quirky, squelching bass playing sparse and rapid notes, it explores common frustrations through rhyme. With the inclusion of the djembe and West African bells, I would also characterize this track as "somewhat tribal".
California dreaming
The original intent was to add some more gravitas to the nostalgic yet hopeful theme of the famous tune by The Mamas and the Papas. So, I interpreted by extending an acoustic bass line with phasing effects and minimizing rhythmic keyboard chords. I thought that for the solo the trumpet could have created a more contemplative mood than the flute, which in the original delivers a nice melodic tone. The psychological mechanisms that lead to musical creation can certainly vary from person to person according to different life experiences and taste. My feelings for a hypothetical homeland are perhaps imbued with complexities and a jazzy, vigorous feel.
Digital motors
“The bumper car” is the first track I have ever composed, and features in the comic cartoon “Vutu che te la conti o che te la diga?" (Do you want me to say it or recount it for you?). I had started everything a long time ago by putting together random sounds I liked. Then it soon became apparent that the things I was doing had all something in common, they were all reminiscent of raging engines or electrical devices roaring, bursting, thundering, decaying, jamming or bumping into each other in the various spooky atmospheres. I am not sure under what kind of genre this music could be classed. All I know is that I just followed my inspiration and my taste, drawing a bit from the funk bass tradition, a bit from techno, and a bit from dance. In a way that should be able to inspire the inebriated amongst you who are in need of a bebop on the kitchen tables. I hope you will enjoy listening. (Teaser available on the Player page)
Reviews
Caprice No. 5
Overall Impression:
A wild ride of intrigue, Caprice No. 5 by Kursivo is a genre-bending crossover that is built for speed. This new release by the Experimental musician is inspired by the famous 24 Caprices, and makes its mark with its unique Electronic sound. The similarities between Paganini's virtuosic showpiece for violin and Kursivo's Caprice No. 5 reveal themselves immediately. The busy, mechanical violin work instantly steals attention and pulls the listener along. It tips its hat to Paganini's melodies while traversing its own path. The excitement never falters, but avoids being overwhelming. Kursivo has demonstrated this care for intensity in his other works, and nails the balance with Caprice No. 5. This track passes through various textures, complete with punchy accents and a driving drum groove. All in all, it makes for a terrifically exciting listen and dazzling display of creativity.
Strongest Point(s):
The mix in Caprice No. 5 is very well done. It seems plenty of attention has been given to the spacial placement of each sound. The instruments, of course, occupy their own space between the left and right sides, but they have also been designated a spot in the vertical construction of the sound. This allows for a more three-dimensional listening experience that gives life to the entire track. It is a cool effect that will please the most attentive of listeners.
About The Reviewer:
Zachary Larson is a professional guitarist in New York City. Getting his start in high school rock bands, he has since toured the world as a classical chamber musician, onboard cruise lines, and with several Broadway musicals. His recorded work spans across Classical, Pop, and Experimental music. His arrangements are published through Clear Note Publications. Classically trained, he holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Denver.
Punchy Spells
Overall Impression:
Experimental musician Kursivo has released the new track Punchy Spells. Angular and jazzy, Punchy Spells jolts forward with attention grabbing snippets of sound and feel. Guitars, organ, and percussion all feed off of one another like the first conversation between friends at a party. Experimental music often requires a patient and thoughtful set of ears from the listener. Punchy Spells does make these same demands but does so without being overbearing or mind-numbing. There are groovy and melodic moments that comprise the frontside of the tune as well as a plethora of colors and timbre. While it does take a while for this tune to find its final groove, the pay off is worth it when it settles in. With the release of Punchy Spells, Kursivo gives listeners an opportunity to expand their minds and go down a totally unique, musical road.
Strongest Point(s):
As simple as this revelation may sound, the inclusion of the drum beat is one of the most important features in this track. Without an easy groove for listeners to hold onto, many would simply find tracks such as this too far out. As mentioned above, the track eventually settles into a more cohesive groove toward the last few minutes. When this groove hits, everything seems to make sense. It is a very cool pay off, and a tricky idea to grasp and compose.
About The Reviewer:
Zachary Larson is a professional touring guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. Getting his start in high school rock bands, he has toured as a classical chamber musician, onboard luxury cruises, and with the Broadway musicals Finding Neverland and Escape To Margaritaville. His recorded work spans across Classical, Pop, and Experimental music. His arrangements of orchestral music are published through Clear Note Publications. Classically trained, he holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Denver.
The Royal Fish Chef
Overall Impression:
There comes a time in many a music lover's life when you simply need a song like "The Royal Fish Chef", whereas many artists endeavor to market their music in a broader mainstream appealing fashion, artists such as Kursivo, who's armed with a clearly great sense of humor, simply laughs in the face of what we are led to believe is normal genre conventions and proceeds to throw them out of the closest nearby window, and I think it's splendid! You'll be hard-pressed to find a track quite like "The Royal Fish Chef", it's gloriously bizarre, utterly hilarious, and weirdly mesmerizing. Kursivo is doing his own thing and sounds like he's having an absolute blast whilst he does it! All hail The Royal Fish Chef!
Strongest Point(s):
Where do we begin?! First off, I understand this is clearly a comedic track, and it most certainly works! Just reading through the lyrics was enough to have me howling with laughter! Kursivo paints a particularly wacky and outlandish picture that gives listeners a thoroughly insanity-inducing insight into the mad world of "The Royal Fish King", replete with lashings of grungy synth, scarily eccentric vocal explorations, and a zany sense of rhythm. Now yes, there are a few technical hiccups here and there, but I think it just adds to the track's gloriously kooky charm. It's safe to say I most definitely won't be forgetting this one anytime soon!
About The Reviewer:
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar, as well as teaching it, helping students both learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and how to become proficient in home recording.
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