AETHERPHON, global theremin family

First of all, a quick introduction to Hands Off, in case you haven't  
heard of it.

Hands Off is a biannual UK based theremin event.

Two years ago we organised "Hands Off - The Theremin Symposium", a  
long weekend of talks, master classes and workshops focussing  
primarily on classical theremin skills and culminating in a three  
hour concert "Hands Off - The Theremin Concert" showcasing the  
diversity of British and International theremin playing. We closed  
the doors for the symposium when we had fifty attendees, and the  
concert was also sold out.

We all had a brilliant time.

The plan was to repeat and expand on the symposium this year.  
(Actually, that was the second plan - the first plan fell at the  
starting gate.) Over the last few months we have been staring the  
Credit Crunch hard in the face. It has affected the Charlton family  
directly, and we are not the only people in the theremin community  
having a hard time of it. We have come to the conclusion that this is  
not the right time for a big, costly affair. As a return attendee I  
would not want to pay more than I did last time for something I had  
done before. I am also mindful that last time the cost did exclude  
some UK based thereminists.

Do not fear! I am indefatigable. All this means is that now is the  
right time to do something different. To offer something not offered  
by Etherfest in the US or Without Touch in Germany. And to avoid  
overreaching our ambition and scale down a bit.

I have an idea. The first step is to see if you like it.

Firstly - we need to shift the focus a little, from the theremin as  
the last great classical instrument, to it's other identity as the  
first great electronic instrument. Let's celebrate that this time  
around!

I have some experience of great weekends of electronic music,  
courtesy of my record label "White Label Music" who do a thing they  
call a "Sonic Weekend" a weekend where a bunch of keen electronic  
musicians come together and record an album. Just like that. I was  
dubious at first, but I've been to three of them now, they work and I  
know how to run one. You can find the results on iTunes. Here. http:// 
tinyurl.com/bsymka

Notice that there are four albums, from three weekends. The "Kitchen  
Cuts" album was an impromptu side-project at the second Sonic  
Weekend, recorded without the assistance of their resident producer  
and finished off online after the event, and my personal favourite of  
all four albums.

This is the format I am considering. We find a small hall that  
doesn't mind a little noise and hire it for a weekend, sharing the  
cost equally. We'll try and cut a deal with a local hotel to  
accommodate us all overnight, and during the day we'll lay on big  
pots of Spaghetti Bolognese and such like. Everyone brings what  
equipment they can - theremins of course, monitors, mics, laptops,  
and other instruments - if you've got a musical skill, bring it to  
the party! We break up into groups, we talk, we plan, we play, we  
record, we mix as we go along, (we finish off on our computers  
afterwards) - plenty of busy time for everyone, but also time to  
chat, to hang out, watch the other groups recording, swap tricks and  
tips.

And at the end, as if by magic, there's an album. I'll be honest -  
it's probably not going to make you rich. But it's a great memento of  
a great weekend just hanging out with like minded musicians, doing  
what musicians do - making music.

Twenty people recording is about right. There's probably also going  
to be room for some kibbutzing - if you're not confident about  
recording live, just come and hang out - we'll be glad of your  
money. :-)

So this is what I suggest for 2009 - "Hands Off - The Album."

Are you interested?