Son et Lumiere

Well, back in NYC with about a third of the work done that I wanted to get done while away (I think I actually usually get a quarter done that I'd like to, so maybe I'm ahead this time). Was welcomed back to NYC with a drive home from Maine that was lovely until I hit the city limits, whereupon it appeared to be one of those days where 60% of the driving populace of Gotham has drank the asshole water. This ended just two blocks from my home where someone, on a thin two-lane street, decided the people in front of him weren't going fast enough and crossed the double-yellow line to get by them, accelerating directly at me as if I was not there. That will wake you up. Hello NYC, I missed you.

So of course I came back expecting to continue the work I was doing in Maine and keep moving forward, but I was immediately sucked into a job that eliminated having any free time until tomorrow -- so this will not be a full update today, as I must leave shortly for a rehearsal, followed by a tech, followed by a performance.

I'm working on a fascinating piece called Absynth by Abigail Fischer, directed by Matt Gray. It's a 40-minute opera made up of 7 pieces by 6 composers that will be performing as part of an evening of short operas at Galapagos in DUMBO tonight. I was asked by Matt to do the lighting design, and wound up also being drafted to do the live sound mix, which has been enjoyable, but induces nerves -- it's simple, but delicate, and getting the right balance of Abigail's wireless mic, versus the backing tracks, versus the effect processing, requires attention and precision in ears and hands. I am dreading today a bit only because quite a few of my past experiences with going into clubs in this position have resulted in dealing with in-house lighting and sound people who are NOT helpful, to say the least. I should not expect this at Galapagos, so I should just calm down.

It looks to be a great evening, so if interested, follow the link (there's another link there for discount tickets).

As I have to run, all I have time for is a fast Random Ten (out of 25,430 on the iPod) for this Friday . . .

1."Eighties Fan" - Camera Obscura - Rough Trade Shops: Indiepop 1
2. "Enough Is Never Enough" - Blood And Roses - Return of the Batcave volume 1
3. "Paura Nella Casbah" - Franco Ferrara - Music Scene: Musica Per Radio - Televisione - Films
4. "Acid Drops" - Public Image Ltd. - That What Is Not
5. "Lost Weekend" - Wall Of Voodoo - Call of the West
6. "Just A Touch of Your Hand" - Al Gardner - Lost Deep Soul Treasures 4
7. "When My Baby's Beside Me" - Big Star -#1 Record/Radio City
8. "Flip Top Box" - Dicky Doo & The Don'ts - Lux & Ivy's Favorites Volume 10
9. "As A Child" - Suzanne Vega - 99.9 F°
10. "Fanatics" - Minutemen - The Punch Line

Okay, off to a day of trying to make things beautiful on the fly . . .