Transient v Resident
Written by Chris Bywater, circa 1999:
Transient v Resident was formed in 1993, and is essentially an improvising
group with a totally open agenda. This in effect means that while all the
group's music arises from initially from improvisation, the result can range from total abstraction to music which is both rhythmic and tonal. In addition, computer based editing enables finished works to be assembled from different elements recorded at different times.
A varied collection of electronic based equipment is used most regularly,
although we use additional amplified objects and instruments, principally
woodwind and violin (Archer) and bass guitar/synth (Bywater). At present
realtime hardware (synths, drum machines) is preferred to extensive sampler
work.
The improvisations often include sounds and sections of music previously
prepared by either of us, which may be inserted at any point during an
improvisation by either player. This material may be a base for further
improvisation or almost immediately be discarded if it triggers a different
line of dual development. If you have seen us play live you may have noticed
that we sometimes use midi control over each other's equipment to affect
the final output of each other's playing. This can certainly add even more
of a knife edge element to the live improvising experience, with unexpected
pitch and tone changes for the playing member of the duo.
>In addition to this method of creating music, we may work differently for
specific projects such as a video soundtrack, and may start with a
structured piece which is more fully developed , while still trying to
retain the organic feel of an improvisation.
Between 1995 and early 1997 we worked on a more organised and midi-linked
semi-improvised music which utilised a much greater amount of pre-composed
material, but after this we re-appraised our original sound and working
method and decided to discard the unwieldy complexities which had begun
to spiral out of control as the amount of our equipment increased.
More recent live performances have seen three fairly separate areas of
activity: Some concerts (for example the 1997 recording Dharma Day) are
in the nature of a sound installation lasting several hours, where movement
between sections occurs slowly and organically often with minimal playing
input. By way of total contrast, more conventional shortform concerts
(for example the CDs recorded live at our Sheffield residency at Simunye)
find the group weaving abstract textures over a strictly rhythm based
foundation, occasionally working with guitarist Benjamin Bartholomew.
Thirdly, our collaborations with concert pianist Philip Thomas explore
areas akin to contemporary electronic composition - a series of concerts is
planned where we improvise using only live and sequenced material from
Stockhausen's Klavierstucke 1 - 4.
We aim that our music adds to the full and ever unfolding history of
electronic music, from the earliest tape experiments through the work of
the German synthesists of the 70s, onto the dancefloor in the 90s, and
beyond.
Updated by Martin Archer 2006:
Following the release of the group's second CD, Medulla, in 2001, Chris and I decided
to rest the original idea for the duo and to expand the group into a dynamic
live unit with the addition of Ben Bartholomew (electric guitar), Foster (bass guitar)
and Paul Hession (drums). This new group was named ATLAS. Despite good rehearesals and one concert a variety
of logistical and non-musical issues brought the project to a close within a year.
Following this period, the TvR duo commenced work on a third CD in collaboration
with pianist Philip Thomas, but sadly this project also remains unfinished.
There is some talk of reviving the duo work between Martin and Chris, who remain
in close contact mainly with the objective of listening to as many Magma bootlegs as they can
get their hands on.
