Ousia
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- CDBaby: Face the Robot – Ousia
Pronounced “ooh – SEE – ah”
Horn.Paul
Onnen.Dave
Shapiro.Jason
Teasley.Fred
..Ambient-Noise.Entity..Realizing.Collective.Sounds.Within.An.Anonymous.Environment..
Contact:
Jason Shapiro
Paul Horn
Dave Onnen
Ousia Web Page http://www.mutantmusic.com/ousia/
Ousia MySpace http://www.myspace.com/ousia
aesthetic.objective
Originally known as Blue Shift, Ousia continues the documentation of ambiEnt.nOisE.dRonE compositions in the form of both recorded and live mediums. Ousia refers to the synergistic combination of these styles as “Snowbient”. In realizing these documentations, a criteria has been established with regard to the utilization of technology. Ousia focuses on exploiting technology which allows for flux, improvisation, and control. Thus, the current instrumentation consists of two guitars, bass, and synthesizers. Sonic structures are constructed around keys and dynamics; all material recorded is able to be reproduced live, yet the live performances are not limited to a mere cloning of the recordings.
Live shows are an important aspect to the Ousia experience. In an attempt to preserve the surreal, and intimate sound, a live show has been developed to facilitate a visual experience which remains faithful to the imagery produced by the music. Costumes and lighting are integrated with the music in continuously evolving patterns. With each performance new music is presented to ensure that nothing becomes stagnant within the Ousia sound/visual experience.
brief.history
In late September 1996, Jason Shapiro and Paul Horn collaborated to record a piece which was written for a performance at Intermedia Arts {“You’re My Avant-Guitar Hero” Showcase}. During this time, Horn was also working with Fred Teasley writing drone-oriented compositions. As the two separate projects were similar in nature, it was decided that the three should get together and compose new music. In late October 1996, the line up expanded with the addition of Dave Onnen, and the name “Blue Shift” was established by Teasley. Late November 1996 brought the addition of Jason Ducklinsky, as preparations were made for their first live performance a few weeks later. In March 1997, the ensemble were informed that there were two other bands currently performing as Blue Shift, and thus Shapiro suggested that their name be changed to “Ousia”, inspired from Aristotle’s Metaphysics. The change in the name also reflected an evolution in the structure. Therefore at the end of May 1997, Ousia trimmed down from a quintet to a quartet.
After a year and a half of performing and recording together, Ousia decided to hang up the masks in May of 1998. The project was completed with a performance at the same show where it all started: “Future Perfect”
Paul Horn will continue to record in his Trancemitre Studios, developing and expanding his musical vision. Paul’s latest projects can be found at the Paul Horn/Trancemitre Studio Homepage
Dave Onnen is focusing on Skye Klad, and will also experiment with other side-projects in various genres.
Jason Shapiro is writing and performing with Ana Voog, as well as putting together many side projects and collaborations (Milo Fine, Mike Larson (ex-PSYKOSONIK), etc). In addition to these, Shapiro will also be doing many solo recordings/projects. Information can be found at his homepage
Fred Teasley will be working with Michael Westbrook in a new noise project, as well as other upcoming musical ventures.
selected.performances
* “FUTURE PERFECT” – First Avenue {main-room} – December 9, 1996
* w/SAVAGE AURAL HOTBED – 7th St. Entry – December 27, 1996
* “BEST NEW BANDS OF ‘97″ {Headlining Gig} – 7th St. Entry – February 5, 1997
* “FUTURE PERFECT II” – First Avenue {main-room} – February 13, 1997
* “MOON MOUNTAIN” {Headlining Gig} – The Laughing Cup Theater – March 1, 1997
* w/LAIBACH – First Avenue {main-room} – March 15, 1997
* “DEPTH PROBE” {Featured Cameo} – First Avenue {main-room} – March 27, 1997
* “ESP EXHIBITION” – Illinois State University – May 2, 1997
* OUSIA/THIRD EYE FOUNDATION/ROD SMITH et. al. {Headlining Gig} – The Fine Line – June 18, 1997
* OUSIA/NECTAR/HOSPITAL PEOPLE {Headlining Gig} – The Norshore Theater – July 11, 1997
* “TC MUZIQUE” {Featured Artists} – Ch. 33, hosted by Mark Wheat – July 24, 1997
* OUSIA/DJ ROD SMITH/DJ WIX {Headlining Gig} – The Twilight Lounge – August 1, 1997
* w/SKYE KLAD – 7th St. Entry – September 8, 1997
* “UNIQUE TECHNIQUES” {Headlining Gig} -The Laughing Cup – September 13, 1997
* “THE POLAR BEAR CLUB” {Featured Cameo}- The Loring Bar – October 5, 1997
* “THE NEW ATLANTIS” {Headlining Gig} – The Twilight Lounge – October 10, 1997
* w/WINDY & CARL – Rathskeller – Madison – October 17, 1997
* w/WINDY & CARL/COLFAX ABBEY – 400 Bar – October 18, 1997
* PAKUDAITIS HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA – The Frog Pond – October 31, 1997
* “FUTURE PERFECT IV” {Headlining Gig}- The Walker Art Center – November 8, 1997
* w/SAVAGE AURAL HOTBED – 7th St. Entry – November 15th, 1997
* “PULSE/ZONE 105 PARTY” {Headlining Gig} – Turf Club – November 19th, 1997
* w/SKYE KLAD {Headlining Gig} – First Ave., Fargo – December 13th, 1997
* “THE NEW ATLANTIS” {Headlining Gig} – The Twilight Lounge – December 26, 1997
* “BEST NEW BANDS OF ’97″ – 7th St. Entry – December 31, 1997
* “SNOWBIENT” {Headlining Gig} – 7th St. Entry – January 25, 1998
* “THE NEW ATLANTIS” {Headlining Gig} – The Twilight Lounge – February 27, 1998
* “THE BUZZ” {Featured Artists} – UPN Ch. 9 News – March 26, 1998
* w/SAVAGE AURAL HOTBED {Co-Headlining Gig}- The Walker Art Center – March 28, 1998
* w/FLAMING LIPS EXPERIMENT – First Avenue {main-room} – April 20, 1998
* “FUTURE PERFECT V” {Headlining Gig} – The Weisman Art Museum – May 30, 1998
awards
* BEST NOISE BAND – Winner (City Pages – May 13, 1998)
* BEST ELECTRONIC GROUP/DJ OF 1997 – Nominated (Minnesota Music Awards – April 23, 1998)
* BEST ELECTRONIC MUSIC CD OF 1997 – Nominated (Minnesota Music Awards – April 23, 1998)
* BEST NEW BAND POLL 1998 – Top 10 (City Pages – April 22, 1998)
* BEST NEW BANDS OF 1997 – 2nd Place (Industry Poll Conducted by First Avenue – Minneapolis)
* BEST LOCAL BANDS OF 1997 – 1st Division (Readers/Listeners Poll – Pulse Weekly & L.S.D. on KFAI 90.3FM)
* TOP 20 LOCAL BANDS OF 1997 – (Local Music Critics from City Pages, Star Trib, Pioneer Press, Radio K, Pulse – in L.S.D. Newsletter)
* BEST LOCAL CD’S OF 1997 – (Star Tribune – Jim Meyer – December 26, 1997)
* BEST LOCAL CD’S OF 1997 – (Pioneer Press – Rod Smith – December, 1997)
recordings
* Ousia – “Why is That a Four?” (UltraModern/TRG) {Release Date: Sept 23, 1997}
* Various Artists – “Future Perfect” (UltraModern/TRG) {Release Date: Oct 21, 1997}
* Various Artists – “Yearbook 1997-98″ (Pulse Magazine) {Release Date: January, 1998}