Interview in The Sound Projector
I discuss my work with the Moog guitar and recent Blackout release on Ash International in the current print issue of The Sound Projector. Copies available here: https://www.thesoundprojector.com
Reflections (2004), Digital Release, Dec 14th
Reflections (2004) released December 14th on Burning Harpsichord Records.
Based on several weeks recording made in Aberdeen, the installation featured hours of treated and untreated field recordings installed across 6 speakers in the artist led gallery Limousine Bull.
The release is from archival recordings of the original installation, remastered as part of Burning Harpsichord Records subscription service.
A shorter render is available as pay-what-you-like with a longer render also released for £6. Both come free with a paid subscription.
More info available here: Reflections (2004)
And via the newsletter: Burning Harpsichord Records Newsletter
Lume, Hundred Years Gallery, Dec 9th
Performing a duo with Cath Roberts at an upcoming Lume event at Hundred Years Gallery. Matt Fisher & Dee Byrne, and the Olie Brice String Project are also performing. More information at https://lumemusic.co.uk/
Untitled Bass Piece no 1, Dec 2nd
Untitled Bass Piece No. 1, Burning Harpsichord Records, Dec 2nd.
Written in 2002 for bassist Brent Fariss, the work is for any number of contrabasses including solo. This release features a multitrack version recorded over several days and mixed by Bill Thompson.
Subscribers receive two bonus tracks: a solo performance recorded live in concert by bassist Thomas Helton and a recorded excerpt from a sound installation version by sound artist Mark Ragsdale.
Available on Burning Harpsichord Records, December 2nd.
October, Nov 4th,
Burning Harpsichord Records’ seconc subscription release – October is now available to subscribers and purchase on Burning Harpsichord Records.
Considered as a follow up to august/september, October differs in that it was recorded as a single take improvisation and arranged, mixed and mastered over 10 years.
The work explores field recordings, live electronics, deep bass / high frequencies and noisy electronic textures over an expansive 58 minutes.
Featuring Brent Fariss on Moog synthesizer and no-input mixing desj and myself on live electronics and field recordings.
Free for paid BHR subscribers or available for purchase on Burning HarpsichordRecords
DRONE-BASED IMPROV, Iklectik, Nov 2nd
I’ll be performing with Phil Durrant, Mark Wastell Kate Carr, Paul Garcia Stone and video artist Rob Flint on Nov 2nd at Iklectik Arts Lab as a further development of our drone based tribute to Pauline Oliveros (originally performed at Cafe Oto in 2018). Email for details.
21st Century Guitar Panel, Guildford, Oct 8th
I’ll be participating in a panel discussion on the upcoming book 21st Century Guitar at the next International Guitar Research Center event at the University of Surrey in Guildford. Several other contemporary guitarists will be presenting work throughout the weekend. More information at IGRC Event October 2022
august/september Re-release Oct 7th
Burning Harpsichord Records’ first subscription release – august/september – with Brent Fariss is now available to subscribers.
For others, it will be available to purchase on Burning Harpsichord Records on October 7th.
The album was composed, performed and recorded by Bill Thompson and Brent Fariss in 2006 and features live electronics, field recordings and contrabass. The new release has been completely remastered but otherwise is true to the original.
Additionally a few remaining copies of the original CDr release have been discovered and will be available for purchase on October 7th.
Visit Burning Harpsichord Records for more information.
Burning Harpsichord Subscription & Sampler
Burning Harpsichord Records Archive Subscription is now live.
It includes monthly downloads from a 20+ year long archive of unreleased compositions, installations and improvisations, out of print works, recordings of live performances, demos and alternative versions, videos and other subscriber exclusive content and much more.
Check out the free Subscription Sampler for a preview.
More information Burning Harpsichord Records Subscription
Mercury Over Maps 14, Hundred Years Gallery, Sept 3rd
Mercury Over Maps returns to Hundred Years Gallery –Mercury Over Maps
The evening will feature three sets: a solo Cath Roberts, and duos by Bill Thompson and Yoni Silver, and Greg White and Emily Collinson.
More information: http://billthompson.org/aka_prof_lofi/mercury-over-maps-14
fast + Dirty, Aberdeen Aug 23 – Oct 30th
A special edition of fast + Dirty returns to Aberdeen with Ian Spink and Bill Thompson over several months working with a selection of artists for the Sound Festival and Dancelive Festival.
Open call for 6 Scotland based early career artists of choreographers & composers to work together in residency to create scores that will be presented at DanceLive and Sound Festivals.
In collaboration with Citymoves Dance Agency, we’re pleased to offer this development opportunity for 6 early career choreographers & composers to work in residency during August in Aberdeen.
Selected applicants will work together collaborating and creating under the facilitation of Ian Spink and Bill Thompson.
The artists will work in a multitude of groupings throughout this initial studio time and settle into ones of their choosing; be it solos, duets or other.
More information here.
New Release: Asarco Towers
Asarco Towers continues the Blackout project initiated in 2020 and released on Ash International:
https://ashinternational.bandcamp.com/album/blackout
The compositions are constructed using material drawn from an archive of sounds collected over a 20 year period; any sounds used in these compositions are permanently removed from the archive, eventually resulting in a ‘blackout’.
Due out on Ash International August 19th.
More information here: http://billthompson.org/aka_prof_lofi/blackout-2-previews/
21st Century Guitar book (Interview)
I discuss my work with the Moog guitar with John McGrath in his upcoming book 21st Century Guitar on Bloomsbury Publishing: “A Field of Reactivity”: Moog Guitar and Experimental Systems – Interview with Bill Thompson
Quiet Ascent
Quiet Ascent is the first double Moog guitar album.
Featuring 2 tracks of improvised music by Bill Thompson and Matthew Sansom using Moog guitars only.
Includes bonus download track, In Convergence (48:49) from the live performance at the Ivy Arts Centre, 16 Sept 2016.
Available as a limited edition cassette and download.
Intraspect IV, Guildford, March 17th
Performance, Improfest, Feb 28th
Performing a solo Moog guitar set (online) at Improfest, Jan 28th. T
More details here.
Mercury Over Maps 13, Hundred Years Gallery, Feb 26th
Mercury Over Maps returns after a 2 year hiatus with its 13th installment at Hundred Years Gallery –Mercury Over Maps
The evening will feature three sets: a duo between Bill Thompson performing the 2nd edition of Blackout with Ian Stonehouse providing live visuals), a solo by Ed Bennett (live electronics) and a solo by Jenn Kirby (live electronics).
More information: http://billthompson.org/aka_prof_lofi/mercury-over-maps-13
Performance, Cafe Oto, Jan 11th
Performing a duo with Yoni Silver at Cafe Oto, Tuesday Jan 11th, 8pm. Also performing as a trio are Phil Durrant, Mandhira De Saram and Daniel Thompson.
More info here.