I am very pleased to announce that my new record “heavyweight trouble” is out now on Bandcamp. You can buy it today, or wait until Bandcamp Friday tomorrow, when Bandcamp skips taking their cut and 100% of the proceeds will go to the causes discussed below. It’ll hit the streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and others over the next few weeks.

Today I’d like to share the liner notes I wrote for this release.

The word “trouble” can have a negative connotation –  being in trouble, causing trouble, being troubled. I have certainly been troubled living through the past four years of American politics. Being troubled has a relationship to being conscious of your surroundings and environment and sensing what’s wrong.

The word “trouble” also has a relationship to stirring up or uncovering, however.  The traditional Black spiritual “Wade in the Water” talks of how God is going to “trouble the waters” – to stir them up, and make them ready.  The late Senator John Lewis talked about getting into “good trouble, necessary trouble” – taking a stand for your convictions and what’s right.

As one way to let good trouble guide me, all proceeds from this album will go to fund the efforts of several organizations whose mission is to empower and bring about a shift in equitable access to electronic music.

AFRORACK™: A Chicago-based audio arts organization with a goal of helping the community develop and thrive through technology resources.

We are committed to providing children and young adults of color access to modular synthesizers and sound design.

Underground Music Academy: a Detroit based hub, which aims to build the future leaders of independent electronic music.

North Coast Modular Collective: working to increase the skill, knowledge, and accessibility of electronic music artistry through the development of music, instruments, and community.

This was an interesting year for me, musically.

Bill Van Loo album update – May 2012

I started a new album project in the first 5 months of the year with high hopes of having it done in 12 months (see album updates for January, February, March, April, and May), then I had to put it on hold due to graduate studies and teaching work (see “teaching” year in review for details). I hope to return to this material in early 2013.

Linen Ray (Ypsilanti, MI) – Band Promo Photo

I also worked on recording and engineering with Linen Ray, a musical project by my good friends Gabriel and Rebekah Craft. I’ve been playing electric and lap steel guitar, and helping them get overdubs recorded.

working on Company 7 material

We finally finishing up the Company 7 recording, concluding with some sweet Rhodes and organ overdubs by Ben King. Next up for that project is getting our tracks mixed down and released. Exciting stuff!

Dan Lukas “Tether” remix

I’ve been working (slowly!) on a remix for Dan Lukas‘s “tether” project. Hopefully will be finishing this up soon!

guitar rig at Bethesda

I continue to play guitar at Bethesda, slowly adding more loops and textures to the mix along as I enjoy the opportunity to worship and serve.

As I mentioned in my last blog post about my music, I’ve been working on a new solo album during 2012. Here are links to my last few updates, which I’m hosting on my label site, chromedecay.

January 2012 album update

February 2012 album update

March 2012 album update

Most of my previous work as a solo artist has been doing strictly instrumental electronic music. The biggest departures from that were the two ambient guitar records I produced (“6 strings for a winter’s day“, and “the ghost of an idea“), and even those use lots of electronic production.

As you may be able to gather from my talk of “songs”, and from all the guitar you see me playing in these videos, this new record will be a departure, or perhaps an evolution, from my electronic music. There will still be electronic production and sounds, and a big focus on the textures that are a defining part of my previous work. However, I’m really excited to work on some songs for this record.

One of the most helpful things I’ve ever read as a creative person was Twyla Tharp’s “The Creative Habit“. In her book, Tharp talks about knowing how you see the world and how that translates in your art. I realized that I tend toward the wide-angle view, taking in textures, ambience, setting, season, and location. The titles of my previous work is a testament to that (“Autumn DSP”, “6 strings for a winter’s day”, “raindays”, etc).

This new work, in the other hand, seeks to build up that backdrop of location and ambience, and put something personal and intimate in front of that. Not everything in the record will likely have lyrics and singing, but some of it will. This is shaping up to be the most personal record I’ve ever made, and I am excited about the possibilities of it.

I’ve decided to record a new solo album during 2012. More details and an announcement video can be found on my label’s site, chromedecay:

http://www.chromedecay.org/2012/01/03/new-bill-van-loo-album-announcement/

This record will be composed, recorded, and produced during 2012, with monthly updates to be posted. I’m really excited about this project; I intend it to be deeply personal, spiritual, and to be a true reflection of my wide-ranging musical sensibilities.

As in many years past, I’ve compiled a list of what music really grabbed hold of me this year. 2011 saw me spending much time working on one musical project (company 7) to the exclusion of much else, but this is what I listened to the most.

Albums

Gungor: Ghosts upon the earth

An absolutely stunning record from start to finish; it is, by turns, melancholy, hopeful, dense, orchestrated, and deep. See also my notes (below) on their live performance.

Owl City: All Things Bright and Beautiful

A wonderful bit of synth-pop; this was the soundtrack to much of my summer.

Foreign Exchange: Leave it all behind

Thanks to the well-stocked collection of the Ypsilanti District Library and Spotify, I never actually bought this, but still managed to listen to it a ton. Such smooth and soulful stuff, almost perfect modern R&B.

Sara Groves: Invisible Empires

Sara Groves writes amazing songs, and this record is no exception.

Black Dub: Black Dub

A stellar piece of work from Daniel Lanois, Trixie Whitley, and the rest of the players Lanois assembled for this.

United Pursuit Band: Found

This is a more atmospheric, ambient release from United Pursuit (a favorite for several years). Excellent stuff.

Josh Garrels: Love & War & The Sea Inbetween 

I came across this thanks to Josh’s contribution to the Mason Jar Music Presents series of live videos performances and his album being released free on NoiseTrade. Highly recommended. (See also the whole Mason Jar Music Presents and Serialbox Presents series for a take on what the future of music looks like – independent bands, careful and artistic use of the revolutionary new HDDSLR filmmaking gear, and a DIY ethic and aesthetic. Inspiring).

Live Performances

I managed to see some amazing live performances this year, happily by some of the artists who made my favorite records this year as well!

Sara Groves (Muskegon, MI)

Sara Groves writes the songs of my married-with-kids life. She is a remarkable performer who invites you to become part of her family for a time while she’s on stage. My heart was filled with joy at the chance to see her again in the same small venue that my wife and I saw her at in 2005. Truly a special night of music and worship.

Gungor (Royal Oak, MI)

Even though Gungor was technically an opening act for David Crowder*Band (who put on a great show in their own right), Gungor really was what stood out for me from this show. Tremendous musicianship, and a masterful performance.

Vitek (Ypsilanti, MI)

My band, Company 7, had the opportunity to open for Vitek, and we were all blown away by what great performers they are. Amazing musicians.

Black Dub (Detroit, MI)  

This was truly a treat: a chance to see Daniel Lanois at the helm of his own live band in a small setting (Magic Stick in Detroit). Heart and soul music.

As in past years (here’s last year’s list), I made a list of my favorite records from 2010. As always, this is an entirely personal list, not an attempt to sum up the best records released in 2010 – this is what made an impact on me.

ALBUMS/EPs:
Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More
Black Dub – Black Dub
The Press Delete – EP
Jars of Clay – The Shelter
Various Artists – Passion: Awakening
Will Reagan & United Pursuit Band – In the Night Season
Sara Watkins – Sara Watkins
Burial/Kode9 – BBC Mary Anne Hobbs DJ Mix

SONGS
Gungor – Beautiful Things
Israel Houghton – Saved by Grace, Love God Love People