Altona Sketches

ERIK GRISWOLD (CD)

Many Ice cream vending machines have a touch screen front door. Most ice Cream vending machines have coin changers, and bill stackers. Generally, ice cream vending machines are decorated with striking accessories such as logos, side covers, hub caps etc.

Bolts, screws, paper, rubber strips, and bits of cardboard are wedged, laced, and screwed between the piano strings to create layers of interlocking microtonal scales. These form a matrix of possibilities that are explored, sounded and discovered in a series of improvised musical moments. Cross rhythms. Imperfect memories.

Bio Currently based in Brisbane, Australia, American born composer and pianist Erik Griswold has been a leading force in Australian contemporary composition for prepared piano for many years. Splitting his time between solo pursuits and his work with percussionist partner Vanessa Tomlinson, his compositions have been presented across the globe in the US, UK, China and other locations in Asia and Europe.

Altona Sketches was conceived following a lengthy session of prepared piano improvisations delivered in support of a one-man juggling show with AustraliaÕs highly regarded contemporary circus troupe Circa. The album splits its sound palette between short and sweet excursions into music boxes and prepared toy piano and lengthier explorations of Griswolds unique prepared piano approaches.