LIVE at Under Projects, Oct, 2022

by DEAD SYMBOLS

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1.	Study Session 01, Day 1, (Seitlhamo Motsapi) 06:33	buy track
2.	Study Session 02, Day 1, (Mxolisi Nyezwa) 06:40	buy track
3.	Study Session 03, Day 1 01:40	buy track
4.	Study Session 04, Day 1, (Sipho Sepamla) 07:56	buy track
5.	Study Session 05, Day 1, (Sipho Sepamla) 03:08	buy track
6.	Study Session 06, Day 1, (Vusumzi Nkomo in conversation with Tumi Mogorosi) 04:48	buy track
7.	Study Session 07, Day 1, (Lesego Rampolokeng) 04:16	buy track
8.	Study Session 08, Day 2 11:20	buy track
9.	Study Session 09, Day 2, (Mxolisi Nyezwa) 12:08	buy track
10.	Study Session 10, Day 2 06:28	buy track
11.	Study Session 11, Day 2, (Mxolisi Dolla Sapeta) 04:14	buy track
12.	Study Session 12, Day 2, (Seitlhamo Motsapi) 14:56	buy track
13.	Study Session 13, Day 2 05:56	buy track
14.	Study Session 14, Day 2, (Noni Jabavu) 03:52	buy track
15.	Study Session 15, Day 2, (Bloke Modisane) 02:14	buy track
16.	Study Session 16, Day 2 02:56	buy track
17.	Study Session 17, Day 2 01:02	buy track
18.	Study Session 18, Day 2, (Sipho Sepamla) 05:16	buy track
19.	Study Session 19, Day 2 03:36	buy track
20.	Study Session 20, Day 2 04:08	buy track

about

On the 22-23 of October, 2022, DEAD SYMBOLS took residence at Under Projects, over two days, for 5 hours a day, in an attempt to engage with the physicality of the space as an extension of our inquiry into sound and the sonic properties of theory. Thinking about sound as theoretical intervention, our occupation took the form of durational performance, sonic lecture, improvisation, and study session, as we probed, by way of music-making & reading, the possibilities and implications and stakes of World-endings.

In a recent review for Artthrob, Ben Albertyn wrote:

“Despite the heady theoretical atmosphere that surrounds them, the group is not particularly interested in trying to say something or discover some untold meaning. As their band name clearly indicates, Dead Symbols is preoccupied with the shortfall of language. Their improvisations can be seen as a kind of inductive research that probes an epistemic edge. The notion of “dead symbols” also suggests that the group’s inquiry is necessitated by the bankrupt symbolic world they have inherited. The double entendre of “symbol” and “cymbal” finally quilts the symbolic and sonic interests of the group together. It is worth noting that Damon’s percussion rig replaces ordinary cymbals with a set of angle grinder blades, which produce a dense, heart-stopping toll whenever he beats down on them. The sound reverberates into your chest, but remains heavy and close to the floor. In contrast to the enlivening clangour of a crash or a ride cymbal, Damon’s blades stop dead.”

Full article available here:
artthrob.co.za/2022/11/01/an-afternoon-with-dead-symbols/

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Vusumzi Nkomo on vocals, megaphone, slide-whistle, plastic whistle, Korg Monotron, Boss VT-1 voice transformer, Ibanez delay pedal, and Hohner melodica.

Fernando Damon on egg shakers, Arturia Drumbrute, delay pedal, Waldorf Rocket, Saw-blade-cymbals, Yamaha DD-5, tambourine and claves.

Rowan Smith on Teisco S-100p, Novation Nova, Korg Poly-800, Korg Minilogue XD, Casio MT-88, Yamaha PS-20, Boss DD-3 Delay and Bliptronic.

credits

released January 11, 2023

Cover design by David Karwan, Los Angeles, CA.

Recorded at Under Projects, Cape Town, October, 2022.

license

about

DEAD SYMBOLS Cape Town, South Africa

A Cape Town based critical sound collective committed to dangerous thinking and sonic vandalism. Comprised of Vusumzi Nkomo, Fernando Damon and Rowan Smith.