BLUEBRAIN

2012-01-02T09:27:00.000-08:00

Bluebrain & The US Botanic Garden present

Final Boombox Walk
January 14th at 3 PM Sharp
Free Event
US Botanical Gardens -- 100 Maryland Ave SW Washington DC
Original music composed by Bluebrain

RSVP and tell us your preferred format (cassette, CD or MP3)

SHORT -- Bring a portable cassette, CD or iPod enabled music device to the indoor conservatory courtyard of the Botanic Garden (located next to the Capitol building on the National Mall). PLEASE RSVP BY EMAIL (bluebrainmusic@gmail.com) & TELL US WHAT KIND OF DEVICE YOU WILL HAVE (this way, we can create enough cassettes, CD's or email you an MP3).

More details after the jump....

LONG -- The very first Bluebrain event happened 3 years ago here in DC when a call went out for people to bring cassette boomboxes to Dupont Circle. Inspired by composer Phil Kline, participants were each handed a different cassette tape, each containing a different track of a larger piece of music, composed specifically for the event. After a countdown, participants hit play together and walked around the city, creating a roving orchestra on dozens of portable speakers. The following year, the project was expanded to include musical contributions from other artists and was staged on the National Mall during the annual Cherry Blossom festival. Thanks to the US Botanic Gardens, we will be holding a third boombox walk -- this time, in the most beautiful indoor venue we can imagine. This will mark the end of the series.

Thank you to all those who've come to one, or to both boombox walks -- or any other Bluebrain events since we started this three years ago. Let's make this the biggest sounding one yet.

PLEASE RVSP to bluebrainmusic@gmail.com (and tell us what device you'll be bringing: cassette boombox, CD player or MP3) to reserve your track in the format of your chosing.

For more information:

http://www.facebook.com/events/138113212959302/
www.bluebra.in
http://www.usbg.gov/

**Special thanks to Richard Gould at the Smithsonian Institute and everyone at the US Botanic Garden**

Central Park (Listen to the Light) is out now

2011-10-07T05:34:00.000-07:00

Central Park 'Listen to the Light', our second location-aware album, is out now in Apple's App Store. Go here to download it.

Our friends at FCTN spent time with us during the making of process and produced this short documentary, 'Music for Landscapes'. Enjoy--

The Living House

2011-08-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

BLUEBRAIN
'The Living House'
September 9th & 10th
FREE (By Appointment Only...see below)
1337 H St NE Washington DC
Featuring contributions from AAA, Ally Behnke, Forgetting, Laughing Man & Volta Bureau

The Living House is a 2-night sound installation that transforms a house on H St into a walk-through sonic experience designed by Bluebrain and featuring contributions from other artists. Each room in the house will be equipped with a separate speaker that will combine to create the work. Sounds will literally run through the house, rooms will harmonize with one another. The house will become musical architecture that sings as one giant organism. The installation will run for 2 nights (Friday, Sept 9th and Saturday, Sept 10th) beginning each night at 8:30 and ending at 11:00. The piece runs for apron 15 minutes and will begin every half hour, on the half hour.

Admission to the installation is free but the number of visitors at a time will be very limited.

TO RESERVE A SPOT:

Email livinghousereservations@gmail.com with the following information:

-Your name
-Which night you would like to attend (Friday or Saturday)
-Your preferred time slot (will run every half hour, on the half hour from 8:30 to 11)
-The amount of people in your group

*This event was made possible by a grant from the Awesome Foundation. To attend the fundraiser dinner for the project, hosted by the Awesome Foundation, click here:
*****All seats for this dinner are now sold out.****

C E N T R A L P A R K (Listen to the Light)

2011-07-20T20:03:00.001-07:00

The second in our series of location-aware albums, entitled 'Listen to the Light' and designed for Central Park in New York City, will be released on October 4th in the App Store.

Full press release after the jump...

"Washington DC-based duo Bluebrain's latest release is not a traditional album -- it can't be listened to passively in one sitting or, for that matter, at just any location. 'Central Park' is a site-specific work of music that responds to the listeners location within the stretch of green of the same name in New York City. Available only as an iPhone and iPad app, the album will be released starting October 4th, 2011.

'Central Park' is the second in a series of site-specific app-albums, following 'The National Mall', released last May, designed to work within the boundaries of the park in Washington DC.

Both albums work by tracking a users location via the iPhones built-in GPS capabilities. Hundreds of zones within the landscape are tagged and alter the sound based on where the listener is located in proximity to them. Zones overlap and interact in dynamic ways that, while far from random, will yield a unique experience with each listen. The proprietary design that is the engine behind the app stays hidden from view as the melodies, rhythms, instrumentation and pace of the music vary based on the listeners’ chosen path. Unlike other music-related apps, these are not musical toys or instruments. Nor are they a compliment to a traditional album release. The app is the work itself. A musical 'Chose-Your-Own-Adventure' that does not progress in a linear fashion but rather allows the listener to explore the terrain and experience music in way that has never been possible before now. Chris Richards wrote in a Washington Post cover story, "Bluebrain ('The National Mall') is helping to redefine what an album actually can be...it's truly magical".

Record Store Day Surprise Release

2011-04-11T14:42:00.000-07:00

**Thanks everyone! The records are now sold out**

The video after the jump should tell you everything you need to know about this limited run record store day release...

More after the jump...

Bluebrain and Sockets Records would like to announce a very special collaboration. It's a new 7" entitled "The Pull", and is a limited edition Record Store Day, vinyl only release. One very special aspect of the 7" is how the two tracks can be combined. Each side of the 7" can be considered a stand alone track or A and B side can be played simulataneously to form one song, or a C side.
We've been planning this for a few months and finally are able to share the details.

Bluebrain is the Washington, DC duo consisting of brothers Hays and Ryan Holladay. As Bluebrain, these brothers have brought an unrivaled energy and innovation to site-specific sound experiments, interactive concerts, and, recently, documentary film scoring. The band also opened for the newly reunited Dismemberment Plan in January 2011.

Here are the detaiis for each of the stores you can purchase the record:

BLUEBRAIN - 'The Pull / The Push' - 7" vinyl single

Limited Edition of 300 (Hand-numbered)

On Sale Saturday morning, April 16 2011

**AVAILABLE ONLY AT 4 DC RECORD STORES**

Red Onion - (1901 18th Street NW)

Som Records - (1843 14th Street NW)

Smash! - (2314 18th Street NW)

Crooked Beat - (2116 18th Street NW)\

Post Secret video

2011-04-11T14:38:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who came out to our collaboration with Post Secret. Both shows were really amazing and we were thrilled that so many of you came out. Post Secret has put together a short video of the event that's currently on the front page of the site. View it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntu32zaIIyk&feature=player_embedded

THE NATIONAL MALL

2011-03-22T12:08:00.000-07:00

ANNOUNCING 'THE NATIONAL MALL'

The First Location Aware Album

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

FULL PRESS RELEASE:

(Separated by 4-part poster series designed by Waxfang)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD HI-RES PDF WITH PRESS PHOTOS & MORE

Washington DC-based music duo Bluebrains’ latest release is not a standard album in the sense that it can be listened to passively in one sitting or, for that matter, at any location. Rather, it is a site-specific piece of music that responds to the listeners location within the stretch of park in downtown Washington DC known as the Mall. The work will be delivered as an app for the iPhone and is the first in a series of location-aware albums Bluebrain will create. 'The National Mall' will be available in the Apple App Store in the coming weeks.

Scroll down for more info...

‘The National Mall’ works by tracking a users location via the iPhones built-in GPS capabilities. Hundreds of zones within the Mall are tagged and alter the sound based on where the listener is located in proximity to them. Zones overlap and interact in dynamic ways that, while far from random, will yield a unique experience with each listen. The proprietary design that is the engine behind the app will stay hidden from view as the melodies, rhythms, instrumentation and pace of the music vary based on the listeners’ chosen path. ‘The National Mall’ is an ambitious project that will allow users to listen to and interact with a work of music in a way that’s never been possible before.

‘The National Mall’ was recorded at Iguazu Sound, mastered by Steven Berson at Total Sonic and features contributions from various other musicians, all of whom are credited in the albums’ liner notes. The map featured in the app, designed by Danny Jones of YASLY, is closer to an impressionist rendering of the Mall than a detailed guide with individual sites and monuments. It is intended to orient the listener within a landscape largely divorced of its cultural and historical artifacts. This map is not a comprehensive guide to the attractions of the Mall but a visual compliment to the album. ‘The National Mall’ emblem, designed by Ryan Holladay and YASLY, is based off the aerial view of the footpaths leading up to the Washington Monument.

The Location-Aware Album: What It Is and Is Not

Bluebrain’s concept of the location-aware album is not an augmented reality application in that it does not respond to input from the listener. It is not a toy or game that allows users to input or experiment with limitless possibilities to alter what they’re hearing. Each position on the map has been carefully considered, the music composed and recorded to be heard in their specific place in the same way you would hear a piece of music on a physical record. However, because each listener will explore the Mall in a different way and at a different pace, experiences with the album will be unique in sequencing and in arrangement. It is truly the first location-aware album in the sense that it is a work of authored music-different melodies, different rhythms, different instrumentation, and different songs entirely are to be heard at their designated locations. For instance, a listener may chose not to visit the Sculpture Garden and his or her experience with the album might not include those musical sections. But they are as permanent as a song on an LP. What you hear standing twenty feet south of and staring up at the Washington Monument will be there when you return to it one year or ten years later. The landscape is simply the way to discover and interact with the music that’s been composed and carefully placed throughout.

‘The National Mall’ is the first in a series of location-aware musical works that Bluebrain will compose and design for sites around the world in the coming months and years. The second work of this nature, designed for Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York will debut later this summer followed by a piece that will stretch the entire length of California’s Highway 1.

Post Secret + BLUEBRAIN Event on April 2nd SOLD OUT

2011-02-28T07:41:00.000-08:00

**Both shows are completely sold out -- Thank you everyone and see you in April!**

On Saturday, April 2nd we will be performing two shows in collaboration with Post Secret at Artisphere's Dome Theater. The first will be at 7:30 PM, the second at 10:00 PM - $15*

TICKETS FOR BOTH EVENTS GO ON SALE AT 9 AM - TUESDAY, MARCH 1st
Click HERE to purchase tickets at this time.

More info after the jump...

Artisphere is located at 1101 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA (just over Key Bridge and 2 blocks from the Rosslyn metro station.) For more information and a detailed map, visit Artisphere's 'Visit' page here.

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people
mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard.

*This event is a benefit for HopeLine

For more information about Post Secret, click here.
For more information about HopeLine, click here.

**Click here to visit the Facebook Event page**

Photos+Press from Dismemberment Plan Show

2011-02-26T07:54:00.001-08:00

Last month, Dismemberment Plan asked us to open for them at their first homecoming show of their reunion tour at Black Cat. It was an incredible night--we were accompanied by our horn player friends and four visual artists of quite an age range (Stella Magee is 9 years old), each of whom crawled around the stage painted our podiums while we performed. It was quite the crew. (Not to mention the terrific Tereu Tereu, who also played that night.)

In addition, we wore these enormous metal backpacks called 'Screamers' designed by Floating Lab Collective. You can read more about them here: http://floatinglabcollective.org

Thank you to everyone who helped out and to the Dismemberment Plan for having us -- Here's some press about the night (photos below by Josh Sisk):

-TBD (includes the names of everyone who helped out)

-SPIN

-Washington City Paper

Arijit Das, who oversaw the podium painting, and Stella Magee

More photos after the jump

ESPN To Premiere 'Everything In Between' Tomorrow Night

2011-01-05T18:16:00.000-08:00

Tommorrow night at 7 PM (01/06/11), ESPN will air 'Everything In Between', the FCTN-produced documentary film on Tim Tebow that we composed the score to. Set your TiVos! More info here: http://everythinginbetween.com/

Washington City Paper, TVD and more...

2011-01-05T18:10:00.000-08:00

Posting this a little bit late...

The Washington City Paper ran a full page feature on us for their year-end issue, chronicling our various events throughout our first year. Check it out here. Also...

Also, a write-up in DC Magazine, read here (written by the wonderful Philippa Hughes and with a photo the magazine shot of us in very awkward poses at our favorite lil' gallery here in DC, The Fridge.)

And last but certainly not least, DC's own Vinyl District is all grown up and has officially branched out to multiple cities...9 in total! They asked us to create a piece of music with 9 components, with each stem going to one of the cities for their big launch day. Their readers then get to download the stems and incorporate them into a remix or an entirely new song. Make sense? Get in on the action over here. The piece is called 'Eat The Waves' and you can listen to it in its entirety on their site.

Planetarium Concert This Friday

2010-11-08T06:56:00.000-08:00

More information on this event here.

Fashion Show Thursday // Masquerade Warehouse Party Saturday

2010-10-26T20:40:00.000-07:00

After having a week to recover from the Artisphere concert, we're jumping back in with 2 events this week. More info after the jump...

These will be instrumental/electronic sets but two very different events: Thursday is the return of the very popular Fashion:district presented by ReadySetDC at STROGA. More information about the event and a promo video Brandon Bloch has put together can be seen here. Tickets are going very fast so get them now. Also, this Saturday, we'll be performing at the Surreal Masquerade Ball. Which will take place in a warehouse space just below Adam's Morgran. This one, too, is very close to selling out. (Also, we'll be sharing the stage with Matt Hemerlein at both events!)

Videos from Saturday

2010-10-19T21:41:00.000-07:00

The above video of our collaboration with Batala on Saturday at Artisphere was taken by Ben Droz. More after the jump.

Photos coming soon. Also, here are some press that ran last week in the run up to the show:

-Washington Post Express
-Washington City Paper
-Washington Post
-ReadySetDC

More videos:

K O N G

2010-10-19T21:26:00.000-07:00

For a Brightest Young Things exclusive feature, we created a work of music titled 'KONG' that essentially turns your iTunes into an ambient music generator. For more information, download link and instructions click here.

A R T I S P H E R E

2010-09-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

On October 16th, we're going to be performing in the ballroom of Artisphere, the brand new 52,000 square-foot arts center in Roslyn (just over Key Bridge). This will be the very first Saturday after the space's official opening on 10.10.10. Plus, It's our first actual DC-area show in, well, quite a while and we're going all out.

We have some surprises in store that we're really excited about, some of which we may announce beforehand (but some we may not!) Geologist from Animal Collective will be there as well to play some music...but that's just the beginning. Watch this space (or the Facebook event page) for announcements as the show gets closer. One thing to keep in mind: while the flyer says 10:30 start time, we recommend you come early as we'll be starting things around 10 (maybe even earlier) and you can walk around the various galleries and video-wall town-square that will be open as well. We expect the party to go late.

Tickets will be available at the door, drinks will be served with specials to be announced. We're really looking forward to this one and hope to see many of you there! Let us know if you have any questions: bluebrainmusic [at ] gmail [dot] com

B L U E B R A I N

Live @ Artisphere

1101 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA

$15 / All Ages

www.artisphere.com

My Business With The Cloud

2010-09-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

The image above is of my friend Caitlin Price shooting an installation by the artist Spencer Finch, currently on view at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, part of Finch's show 'My Business With The Cloud'. It is the inaugural show for the Corcoran's NOW series, which will showcase emerging and mid-career artists. Last month, we were approached by the Corcoran to create a musical work for the NOW at Night event taking place on October 1st. They asked us to create something using Finch's work as a sort of jumping off point. I really liked that they were open to (and in fact initiated) the idea of having a musical component that was crafted for the event and in conjunction with the artwork. Today, Caitlin and I visited the exhibit and she took a hard-drive's worth of photos of cloud (above), the centerpiece of Finch's show. We will then take those scanned images and turn them into musical information based on their composition, light and color. These noises will serve as a sort of 'sonic DNA' from which we'll build our set.

More after the jump...

'My Business With The Cloud' is one of the more impressive shows I've seen in Washington in some time--regardless of whether or not you're able to attend the NOW event on October 1st (which, admittedly, may be a little out of some people's price range), it's well worth a visit for both Finch's work as well as their recently exhumed permanent collection. More information about the NOW at Night event here.

2010-09-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

RePower America asked us to make music for a spot they were airing to raise support for passage of the Clean Air Act in Congress. In the end, they ended up using our song 'Restriction' rather than an original piece in the interest of time. Hopefully the video will help get the word out and bring this bill back to life! Considering there have been 20,000 views after the first day of it going live (and a very lively debate in the comment section), it seems to at least be getting some attention. More on RePower America here. Click here for the full song.

Restriction (Single Version)

2010-09-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

Restriction by BLUEBRAIN

Here is the single version of Restriction, the song that lead off our collaboration with dance company Urban Artistry in July. Enjoy!

BBC

2010-09-10T07:32:00.001-07:00

We are featured in this piece that aired on BBC last night that looks out how art galleries are increasingly using new technologies. It specifically focuses on the Phillips Collection's 'White Party' that revolved around their current exhibition of Pousette-Dart Predominantly White Paintings. It refers to our contribution to the event (WHITEOUT) as 'Snowpocalypse' for some reason, but you get the idea. I'm also including some photos that were taken by Den Droz that I hadn't gotten around to posting. Those and the link to the BBC video after the jump...

BBC AMERICA:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/world_news_america/8986280.stm

Tebow Documentary Film

2010-09-09T18:16:00.000-07:00

on Vimeo.

For the past few weeks we've been working on a score to a film our friends over at FCTN are producing on Tim Tebow. It's been a really fun and challenging process that we're excited to be a part of. We are closer to the beginning than the end of the project but they've just released a trailer for it on the newly launched www.timtebow.com. The film itself probably won't be released until sometime next year, but the video embedded above shows some of the amazing footage they've captured following Tim around for the past 6 months or so.

Bluebrain's "WHITEOUT" at The Phillips Collection -- Thursday, August 26th

2010-08-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

This coming Thursday, we'll be performing at the Phillips Collection as part of their end of the summer 'White Party', in conjunction with special exhibitions "Robert Ryman: Variations and Improvisations" and "Pousette-Dart: Predominantly White Paintings". We've been asked to put something together that is unique to this event, something we're calling 'Whiteout".

Part performance, part interactive sound installation, the piece will draw on the collective memories of this past winter's snowstorm, combining audience submitted photographs, video footage and audio messages that relate to individual experiences of the storm. To be a part of the sound/visual collage, call 202-464-2260 and leave a message with your personal story of the snowstorm. It could be simple and short, funny and crude, depressing and lonely, exhilarating, titillating, boring...whatever your experience was of living through the biggest blanket of snow in the city's history, tell us your story. Or, if you'd rather submit photographs, or video, email whiteoutdc@gmail.com. Submissions will be completely anonymous and will most likely be cut-up and edited beyond recognition.

The End of Summer White Party will take place August 26th, 5-8:30 PM at The Phillips Collection (1600 21st Street, NW Washington DC) and is presented by the Pink Line Project. It will also feature interactive artworks by Kenny George and Alberto Gaitan and dance by Glade Dance Collective. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.phillipscollections.org. THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT SO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE.

Bluebrain & Smithsonian Partner for "The World of Tomorrow"

2010-08-03T09:48:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, the Museum of American History invited us into their "vaults" to view archival footage of the 1939 World's Fair in Flushing Meadows -- the idea being we would then create a musical score to accompany the film, much of which has never been seen before. (The footage itself is pretty incredible. The majority of it is in color, a technology that was brand new at the time. There is actually color footage of FDR! As well as fireworks, high divers and synchronized swimmers.) The process has been unlike anything we've done before and we're really excited to share it. More information after the jump....

This weekend, in the Carmichael Auditorium at the National Museum of American History, we will be performing this instrumental score live during screenings of the footage. The performances will take place four times over two days. This event is free and open to the public.

Music for The World Of Tomorrow

Carmichael Auditorium (First Floor) National Museum of American History

Saturday August 7th and Sunday August 8th

11:30 AM and 3:00 PM

Free / All Ages

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO RSVP

R E S T R I C T I O N - August 1st in Meridian Hill Park

2010-07-12T20:06:00.000-07:00

***CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE MP3***

RESTRICTION - A Collaboration between dance company Urban Artistry and Bluebrain.

***CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE MP3***

More information below...

Pink Line Project Presents:
R E S T R I C T I O N

A collaboration between BLUEBRAIN & Urban Artistry

This is a free event. RSVP HERE.

MP3 DOWNLOAD IS NOW AVAILABLE:
CLICK HERE

If that doesn't work, simply copy and paste this web address into your browser:

http://soundcloud.com/bluebrain/r-e-s-t-r-i-c-t-i-o-n-august-1st-2-pm-meridian-hill-park-se-corner

"On Sunday, August 1st at 2 PM in the SE corner of Meridian Hill Park (Washington DC), dance company Urban Artistry will perform to an audience in total silence. At least it will appear this way to anyone happening to walk by. The audience will be listening to accompanying music, composed by BLUEBRAIN for the occasion, on headphones with a portable music device.

The music will be made available as a free MP3 download from bluebra.in. Audience members should come with this already downloaded to their device. A group countdown will occur at 2 o'clock to ensure synchronicity between everyones devices (dancers and attendees). "

For more information and to download the MP3, visit bluebra.in

VIEW THE TRAILER HERE: http://vimeo.com/13258203

This event, which is FREE and open to all ages, is sponsored by Pink Line Project (www.pinklineproject.com), Honest Tea (www.honesttea.com), Ear Peace (www.earpeace.com) & Rogue Squirrel (www.roguesquirrel.com)

www.bluebra.in
www.urbanartistry.org

Interactivity.

2010-06-21T16:31:00.000-07:00

The above image is what you all created. Many thanks to everyone that came and participated in Saturday's event at the Fridge -- to everyone that used their phones to play along with the music or who jumped on stage and grabbed a brush along with Arijit Das: You made the event what it was. It was absolutely surreal to hear a melody coming through the PA, harmonizing with what we were playing, look out and actually see someone in the audience creating it. Also...

Thank you to Rana Sobhany, Yoko K, Protein Media and everyone at the Fridge for giving us a space to try out something different.

The photo above was taken by Erik Anderson. I saw many other people with cameras shooting the show as well -- If anyone has photos or video of the event, please email -- rholladay (at) gmail (dot) com. We'd love to share them!

An Interactive Live Performance

2010-06-03T08:02:00.000-07:00

Bluebrain Interactive Live Concert
Saturday, June 19th 8 o'clock Sharp
The Fridge
Rear Alley @ 516 8th St SE (Capitol Hill)

$10 (or $5 with app download)

RSVP HERE

"On Saturday, June 19th at 8:00 PM, The Fridge will host a slightly unusual concert at their gallery space in Capital Hill. DC-based duo Bluebrain will be performing a set of largely instrumental/electronic/ambient music. Unlike most performances, however, the audience will be able to control elements of the music wirelessly via their iPhones & iPod Touch (and iPads, actually--high fives to anyone who actually brings one of these magical devices!). Meanwhile, artist Arijit Das (spaceandflow) of Protein Media will be drawing large-scale illustrations, improvised, based on the music that's created between Bluebrain and the audience. The Fridge will become a sort of echo chamber, where everyones input influences the work of everyone else in the room."

Electronic artist Yoko K (recently seen performing at the TED Conference) will open the evening.

JUST ANNOUNCED:

Rana Sobhany is coming into town to close the evening. Read about her here.
http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/05/ipad-dj-rana-sobhany/

Specifics/instructions on how to participate will be provided at the event (so please arrive early/on time!) but for now, here's is what you need to know:

-If you'd like to participate you'll need to download an app called TOUCHOSC from the Apple Store. While it's not a large app, it's preferable that you download it before arriving. Also, make sure you're running OS 3.1.3 (if you don't know, just make sure your phone is up to date :)

-The cost of the event is $10. However, if you have downloaded the app onto your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, just show it to us when you arrive and we'll subsidize the cost...you will only be charged $5 for admission with the app.

-It is NOT requred that you have an iPhone/iPod Touch to attend this event. We tried very hard to extend this technology across different smartphones, but the technology just isn't there on all phones yet. That said, we will have other ways for people to participate without phones and, of course, we all hope you have friends who will share theirs :)

Look forward to seeing you there! Feel free to send us a message with any question you may have--

LINKS:

DOWNLOAD THE TOUCH OSC HERE:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/touchosc/id288120394?mt=8

Protein Media:

http://www.proteinmedia.com/

Yoko K:

http://www.myspace.com/aphrodizia

The Fridge:

www.TheFridgeDC.com

Yoko K

Rana Sobhany

Protein Media

Memorial Day Mixtape

2010-05-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

Alberto Hernandez & I have made a mixtape to take you through this partly-sunny-long-weekend and well into June. Alberto plays in the band Viernes who, if you haven't already, you will be hearing more about very soon. Download link and track listing below:

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

1. Matthew Herbert - Broken Piano

2. Fleetwood Mac - The Ledge

3. Tom Ze - Ma

4. James Blackwell - Running to the Ghost

5. William Basinski - 92982.3

6. Milton Nascimento - Clube de esquina No. 2

7. Aphex Twin - Avril 14th

8. Paul McCartney - Ram On

9. Beach Fossils - Youth

10. Samamidon - Fall On My Knees

11. Pa Steeles African Brothers - Odo Mmera

12. Bobak, Jons, Malone - Burning The Weed

13. Nice Nice - See Waves

14. Real Estate - Pool Swimmers

15. Love - Everybody's Gotta Live

*Alberto Hernandez & Ryan Holladay*

Bluebrain's Audio Companion to the Natural History Museum AVAILABLE TODAY

2010-05-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

More info and MP3 download link after the jump...

Starting today you can download a free MP3 that contains music we've created specifically for the Sant Ocean Hall at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum in Washington DC. The way it works is simple: Download the MP3 contained below and transfer it onto your iPod or other portable digital music player -- headphones recommended :) Begin playback of the track at the entrance to the Ocean Hall section of the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum (the large doorway just north of the elephant) and enjoy the exhibit at your own pace*.

To be clear, this is not an event that will take place on a specific date or time. We encourage you to do it alone or with others at your leisure. We will leave the music up as a free download for the entire summer. Thank you to the Smithsonian Institute for their help!

Click on the arrow to the right of the soundwave to begin download:
by BLUEBRAIN

(*While the music was written with the Ocean Hall in mind, the running time of the track will likely exceed the time it takes to focus on this section of the museum. We encourage you to continue listening as you explore other areas as well. )

Enjoy! And feel free to email us with any questions--

***UPDATE***
Some local sites have written about this:
-Washington Post Express
-Washington City Paper
-The Vinyl District
-Pink Line Project
-Brightest Young Things
-The 42
-We Love DC
-DCist
-All Our Noise
-Plight of the Pumpernikel
-Guest of A Guest
-The Couch Sessions

9:30 Club Concert This Sunday

2010-05-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

Benefit concert at 9:30 Club for DC Central Kitchen. More information after the jump.

This Sunday, we'll be playing a live set at 9:30 Club. It's for a good cause and with a terrific line-up (Will Eastman, US Royalty, Midnight Kids, Fatback DJ's and Beautiful Swimmers.) There's also free food from a ton of DC vendors. Go here for all the info and to purchase tickets.

Also, go here to win free tickets.

The Whale

2010-05-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

Up until now, the sole purpose of the Bluebrain website has been to tell you about our own concerts, releases and happenings. We will continue to do this but starting now, we will expand its scope, using it to occasionally highlight other events happening in the district that we think are really special and deserve attention. First up: The Whale.

Tomorrow night U Street Music Hall will host The Whale, a free monthly party from the people who run the DC-based record label Future Times, home to artists and DJ's like Beautiful Swimmers, Protect-U and Maxmillion Dunbar. This month Protect-U will be performing live. I was able to catch a show that Protect-U played a little while ago at The Cherch. It was impressive. Everyone I was with wanted to know when they could hear them again and on a better sound system (The Cherch is a great space but, sometimes with electronic music, you just need a really fantastic system for the full effect and U'Hall's is one of the best in the city.) But if this house concert was any indication, tomorrow night will be one of the best dance parties you've been to in a while. And it's free.

THE WHALE

Third Wednesdays of the Month, Every Month!
w/ BEAUTIFUL SWIMMERS, FUTURE TIMES DJs
+ SPECIAL GUESTS!

@ U ST. MUSIC HALL

1115 U St. NW DC

Sericulture Recap - Under The Bridge

2010-05-17T11:56:00.000-07:00

I wish we could take any credit for how wonderfully Saturday night turned out, but really all credit belongs to everyone else involved, especially all of you that came out. More thoughts, info and photos after the jump...

When we decided to throw a concert without announcing the artists prior to the event, we had no idea how it would go over and thought it would be great if 50 people showed up. Seeing so, so many of you, lining every square foot on the docks under Key Bridge was really something really special. Thank you to Paul & Murph at Jack's Boathouse for letting us take over for the night.

And, of course, thank you to the artists that performed throughout the night. Again, those artists were (in performance order)

JPerez

Macaw

Connect the Dots

Janel & Anthony

If you would like to be informed about future events, (and there will be more like this) please become a fan of Bluebrain on Facebook (or "Like" us, to use the current parlance). That link is HERE.

All photos below were taken by Tim Ryan. If you have any photos or videos you'd like to share from the night, please email me: rholladay@gmail.com

Ryan Performing Solo Concert at Bowery Ballroom

2010-05-05T04:54:00.000-07:00

Performing a set of instrumental cut-up solo harp samples on Thursday, May 13th with Francis and the Lights in New York City. Ticket information after the jump.
http://www.boweryballroom.com/event/4320

The Top (Music Video) from Francis and the Lights on Vimeo.

Click here to see a video of Francis & The Lights song 'The Top':

S E R I C U L T U R E

2010-05-05T02:07:00.000-07:00

Sericulture: An Evening of Music Under Key Bridge
Presented by Annalemma Magazine - Music curated by Bluebrain
For more information and to RSVP, please click here.

Official music video for 'Ten by Ten'

2010-04-12T09:34:00.001-07:00

Click here to watch Gabe Askew's music video for 'Ten by Ten'

Cherry Blossom Boombox Event

2010-03-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

Bring out your boomboxes.

BLUEBRAIN & ReadysetDC present...

Cherry Blossom Boombox Walk

As part of this year's Cherry Blossom festivities, Bluebrain has assembled some of DC's most forward-thinking musicians to help compose new music to be played on as many cassette boomboxes as this city can muster. Come enjoy the cherry blossoms at their peak with a one-time soundtrack designed for the occasion. You bring the boombox, we'll bring the cassettes. Bring a cassette boombox to the Carousel on the National Mall

(in front of the Arts & Industry Building)

5:30 PM Saturday, April 3rd

Featuring new music from Chad Clark (Beauty Pill), Brian Weitz (Animal Collective), Maureen Andary, Sean Peoples (Sockets Records), Outputmessage, Will Eastman, Alfonso Bravo & Bluebrain.

FACEBOOK EVENT:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106675062689404&ref=nf

Announcing the opening of the U Street Music Hall

2010-03-11T12:26:00.001-08:00

Thursday March 18th. $5. More info here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=345707220862

SXSW 2010

2010-03-02T11:01:00.000-08:00

Come see us at this years SXSW

LOCATION:

RED FEZ- 209 West 5th Street (smack in the middle of everything)

PARTY 1: FRIDAY (Night)

MARCH 19TH 10PM-2AM:

Flying Dog and Brightest Young Things present: An ESL MUSIC Showcase

(sponsored by Indie Feed and Durkl)

Featuring Ancient Astronauts (DJ Set)

with Thievery Corporation's percussionist, el john Selector (DJ Set + percussion) and Nouveau Riche DJs

PARTY 2: SATURDAY (During The Day)

MARCH 20TH 1PM-9PM:

Flying Dog and Brightest Young Things present: A DCxSXSW live band variety show featuring some of District's finest talent (even if some of it has fled the city since)

(sponsored by Indie Feed and Durkl)

Featuring (in no particular order of appearance and possibly with other special guests) this INSANE LINE-UP:

Bluebrain

US Royalty

Stricken City (London)

The Mynabirds

Casper Bangs

The Dance Party

Laughing Man

True Womanhood

Tennis System

Matthew Hemerlein

Carole Greenwood & the beatin's

Deleted Scenes

Meredith Bragg

Pree + Frau Eva

MORE INFO HERE:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=363301377603&ref=nf

Valentines

2010-02-12T09:55:00.001-08:00

Hays and I will be DJing this weekend at the DC Record Fair at Black Cat. The line-up is pretty incredible and it's only $2! We would be there even if we weren't on the bill.

The line-up is us, Eric Hilton (Theivery Corporation), Geologist (Animal Collective), Ian MacKaye (Fugazi, Minor Threat), Kid Congo Powers (The Cramps) & Casper Bangs. We go on at noon.

Read more in the Washington Post:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2010/02/local_news_record_fair_djs_sha.html

From the Arts Desk

2010-02-12T09:39:00.000-08:00

The City Paper quoted us twice this week, first in the Arts Desk's interviews with musicians on what they're doing musically to prevent cabin fever. Jess Matthews' (of America Hearts & Edie Sedgwick) is particularly good:

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2010/02/10/listen-the-snow-is-falling-what-d-c-musicians-do-when-theyre-snowed-in/

Then again, Aaron Leitko used a quote for the last line on his article recapping the insane FanDeath interview:

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2010/02/11/snobpocalypse-fan-death-unleashes-storm-of-criticism-butt-hurt/

Also, The Yellow Stereo mentioned us in their album release previews:

http://theyellowstereo.com/2010/02/the-weekly-graboid-9/

Chatterbox.

2010-02-10T09:11:00.000-08:00

Some press...

AOL has the entire album streaming over on their Spinner site. Click here to listen:
http://www.spinner.com/new-releases#/13

IndieRock Review has posted a write-up:
http://www.indierockreviews.com/2010/02/check-out-bluebrains-funny-business-music-video/

WNYC's Music Lab:
http://culture.wnyc.org/articles/music-hub/2010/feb/08/gig-alerts-bluebrain/

Filter Magazine:
http://filtermagazine.com/index.php/media/entry/bluebrain_funny_business_filter_premiere

Washington City Paper:
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2010/02/08/a-flurry-ahem-of-local-releases-new-albums-from-title-tracks-outputmessage-bluebrain/

QRO Mag (album review):
http://www.qromag.com/reviews/album_reviews/bluebrain_:_soft_power/

This Week In NY:
http://twi-ny.com/blog/2010/02/07/february-residency-bluebrain/

And, a favorite of ours...Seventeen Magazine:
http://www.seventeen.com/fun-stuff/17-buzz/band-spotlight-bluebrain

ALBUM RELEASE TODAY

2010-02-10T09:07:00.000-08:00

Today is the official release of our debut album, Soft Power. Go get it now wherever music is sold digitally and physically. (Hint: AmieStreet.com has it for very, very cheap.)

NYC RESIDENCY

2010-02-01T09:10:00.000-08:00

Hi All -- Hays and I will be playing in New York every Monday this month at Pianos (158 Ludlow St.) Doors are at 9:30 and all the shows are free. (www.pianosnyc.com). We'll have some other great artists joining us as well which we'll let you know about soon.

Saturday's Event

2010-01-19T16:33:00.000-08:00

We cannot thank you all enough for your support on Saturday. You all came out in larger numbers than we've ever had and filled the gallery to capacity. (Final count was close to 200!) We are so grateful for the support you have shown us since our first performance last summer and have continued to show these past months. We feel so, so grateful. Thank you.

Thank you to the Fridge for letting us take over their gallery and to Outputmessage and Autorock for being a part as well.

Also, please read the review of the show over at BYT:
CONCERT REVIEW: http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/live-dc/livedc-blubrain-with-outputmessage-autorock-the-fridge/

Winners

2010-01-19T16:17:00.000-08:00

So last week, the terrific website The Vinyl District held a contest. We had composed a short piece of music comprised of 4 different tracks. Each track was made available seperately as an MP3 and could be played in relative syncronicity on 4 seperate devices simultaneously. Vinyl District asked its readers to make a video of them doing just that. Few were as unsettling and amazing as this one.

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPKdVzPvKQI

Press for Saturday

2010-01-15T10:33:00.001-08:00

All Our Noise:

http://www.allournoise.com/2010/01/top-tracks-picking-ryan’s-bluebrain/

Ready, Set, DC:

http://readysetdc.com/2010/01/15/words-w-b-l-u-e-b-r-a-i-n/

Washington City Paper: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2010/01/13/’10-will-get-you-8-d-c-musical-acts-you-can-bet-on/#more-16469

The Vinyl District:

http://vinyldistrict.blogspot.com/2010/01/its-tvdbluebrain-interactive-contest.html

Brightest Young Things:

http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/music/byt-interview-bluebrain/

Washington Post - Night Life Gurus:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/goingoutgurus/2010/01/nightlife_agenda_91.html

Pasta Primavera:

http://pastaprima.net/?p=4077

Fridge Gallery Event Announced - Saturday, January 16th

2010-01-03T21:33:00.000-08:00

First New York Show Announced!

2009-12-04T10:42:00.001-08:00

First New York Show Announced!

We'll be playing in Brooklyn at Monkey Town in Williamsburg. It's a free show (with a small drink minimum, I believe) and we're playing with our friends Peephole. More info and links are at the Facebook event page:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=226941894477

2009-12-04T10:38:00.001-08:00

Listen to Fugazi stage banter. Then email them to say how much DC misses them. (They also talk about the band The Mummies, who were incredible. Click here....

Fugazi Talk and Talk and Talk.

Photos from the Theater

2009-10-05T18:40:00.000-07:00

courtesy of Bradley Portnoy

Press for this Friday's Story/Stereo Show (& video from last week)

2009-10-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

This week Hays and I were asked to write a bit for the website Vinyl District about music we enjoy in the days leading up to the Story/Stereo show (Friday, by the way). Yesterday I wrote about Scott Walker, today Hays talks about Black Dice. Tomorrow they'll post a playlist that we made with 10 songs you can download. It's a great site and they are throwing a record fair this Sunday at Comet, which everyone should attend.

Also, City Paper, BYT, DCist, The 42 and others have posted this video of last week. There are others floating around but this is one our good friend Josh Vaile helped put together:

Bluebrain's 'Cakeblood' Boombox Event Video - http://vimeo.com/6796944

Special Performance THIS FRIDAY

2009-09-28T09:15:00.000-07:00

This Friday, (10/2) we'll be playing a special show at a theater in Bethesda called The Writers Center. It's part of a series entitled 'Story/Stereo' curated by Chad Clarke of Beauty Pill. We will be sharing the bill with poet Srikanth Reddy and author Alex Chee. The event is free of charge and is all ages. Please come at around 7:30 PM to 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda MD.

Click HERE to read an interview with Chad in the City Paper about the series.

Tonight!!

2009-09-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

Cakeblood is tonight everyone! Remember to check your batteries.

*City Paper and Prince of Petworth have both written about us...

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2009/09/23/bluebrain—and-you—to-perform-cakeblood-in-dupont-circle/

Also, there may be a suprise or two tonight (however, sadly, the Fojol Bros. truck will not be taking part as I'd hoped...they have to be somewhere at that time.)

See you tonight--

Press for Cakeblood

2009-09-21T17:52:00.000-07:00

Much web love for our boombox event in Dupont Circle this Thursday...

The 42:

http://the42bus.blogspot.com/2009/09/be-band-in-dupont-performance-art.html

Brightest Young Things:

http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/misc-awesome/giveaway-who-wants-a-free-jambox/

The New Gay:

http://thenewgay.net/2009/09/924-bluebrain-presents-cakeblood-a-boombox-performance-dupont-circle.html

Bluebrain Special Event - 'Cakeblood' Boombox Performance

2009-09-01T12:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, tape decks....remember those? Grab one and join us for a special "performance". The thirty something-piece instrumental work ‘Cakeblood’ will occur at dusk on Thursday, September 24th on as many tape decks as are provided. Meet in Dupont Circle at 7:30 SHARP. Come with a portable cassette player, join us as we walk through the city during sundown and be a part of this one-time performance. Start scouring thrift stores now for a boombox!

(Your RSVP to our email address bluebrainmusic@gmail.com is VERY much appreciated...that way we know how many tapes to bring. Also, feel free to email us with any questions.)

Just Announced: BYT Pool Party this Saturday

2009-08-17T17:26:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, August 22nd, we'll be hanging out pool side at the Capital Skyline Hotel rooftop (10 I St NW Washington DC) playing our own as well as other peoples music. The theme is Indian Summer which you can interpret however you wish...just try to avoid making your reference too offensive (unlike the NFL).

From BYT...

$10 for the WHOLE DAY and ALL AGES.

All drinks $5 or under
Plenty of food options so don’t bring any

More info is available on the Brightest Young Things website:

http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/events/byt-summer-camp-week-12-indian-summer-camp-capitol-skyline/

Review of Saturday

2009-07-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/live-dc/amazing-live-dc-bluebrain-comet/

Also has some great pictures.

UPDATE: Here's another review of the show from 'BandsInTown':

It was a dark and stormy night last Saturday when the Holladay brothers packed the back room of Comet Ping Pong in Northwest D.C. making one of their first public appearances as Bluebrain. Formerly of the band The Epochs, the brothers have returned to their native city bringing an exciting multimedia project home with them.

After an opening set by Wilson Kemp, Ryan and Hays took their traditional positions at podiums on either side of a screen. As soon as the room went black, things got loud. The layered tones of Bluebrain’s music could be felt from the inside out as the screen became a canvas for projected images that ranged from morphing faces to helicopter footage tumbling toward a landscape. The images complimented the dynamic aural mix- a frenetic but totally danceable wave of beats, samples, and vocals that encompassed Comet like a tsunami. Over-stimulated by the visuals and crowd, the lightning through the shabby skylight in the ceiling, and the Holladay brothers twiddling at their twin podiums, it was like being involved in an experiment that went very very right. There’s something wild in the works, and any time you get a chance to dive into a Bluebrain show, go for it- you’ll love the sensation.

Their album entitled Soft Power will be out this fall on Lujo Records. In the meantime,listen here to singles from their EP Ten By Ten, available now on iTunes.

Another....(courtesy of Tom Risen)

2009-07-27T22:20:00.001-07:00

and my admittedly terrible photostitching abilities (can you find the line?)

Photos from Saturday (courtesy of Ben Chetta)

2009-07-27T21:30:00.000-07:00

Bluebrain Sign to Lujo

2009-07-26T15:56:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce that our upcoming debut LP 'Soft Power' will be released via Lujo Records in California (www.lujorecords.com). More information about that release will be coming a bit later, but for now go to iTunes and download our first single, 'Ten by Ten'. Also, visit their website and give a listen to some of the other great artists on their roster--

This Saturday - updates, press, etc.

2009-07-24T11:17:00.001-07:00

T his Saturday's show is getting some attention: DCist, The New Gay, and Brightest Young Things.

We've added another artist to the line-up: Wilson Kemp (so get there early).

And lastly, as you might have seen on Facebook, we've made a special offer to those coming out on Saturday night. Post about Bluebrain on your Facebook/Twitter and get your name added to the list. It's that simple. We are tracking as many as we can and will add all the names to the list but if you want to be safe, just email us (bluebrainmusic@gmail.com) and tell what a good job you did--

Next Show Announced: July 25th at Comet

2009-07-07T17:43:00.000-07:00

BLUEBRAIN @ COMET - Saturday, July 25th

5037 Connecticut Avenue NW - $5 - 8:00

Our second show is upon us...or is soon to be. Come out and make it as memorable as the first. This time it's at an actual venue instead of a house party (but don't worry, we've worked it out that there will be drink specials all night as to not break the bank). Plus, there's outdoor ping pong. So it's essentially like a house party yet again. Alfonso Bravo will DJ which will certainly devolve into a sweaty dance party free-for-all-not-to-be-missed. Also, we'll be announcing a special guest later on so check this space.

The Facebook event is here if you wanna let us know you're coming (so we can have a welcoming party for you):

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114260098608&ref=mf

More photos

2009-07-06T16:24:00.001-07:00

From Saturday

Brightest Young Things

2009-07-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

In case you missed the feature that Brightest Young Things did on us, here it is....

Olivia Broadfield Remix

2009-06-30T22:30:00.000-07:00

Check out our remix for Olivia Broadfield's first single off her upcoming LP. Give it a listen here:

http://lala.com/zNtI

Thank You.

2009-06-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone that came out on Saturday night for our first concert. Thanks to Libby Collins and Jenny Fey for the photos.

This Saturday - LIST CLOSED

2009-06-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks...
no more room for Saturdays list. If you RSVP'd make sure you get there early as to ensure entry. Depending on how packed it gets, people on the list MAY not get in if we are to capacity. In other words, just RSVP'ing doesn't mean you'll get in. So show up EARLY (doors are at 8).

And for those of you who missed the cutoff, we apologize. Stay tuned...we will be announcing the next Bluebrain show on Sunday.

:)

First Bluebrain Show Announced - June 20th

2009-06-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

Bluebrain: The new project of Hays & Ryan Holladay (formerly of The Epochs and of Kenyon House Inauguration Party fame).

Join us for an evening of music and libations at the first official Bluebrain show on June 20th starting at 8:00 PM. The Kenyon House - 1801 Kenyon St NW Washington DC. Jeff Perez will DJ afterwards. Drinks will be provided while supplies last but other are encouraged to bring their own as well. (The event is free but we ask for a small donation of $5)

IMPORTANT: RSVP Required - bluebrainmusic@gmail.com. Space will be limited so let us know if you'll be coming sooner rather than later. And in addition to saving you a spot, your RSVP will also get you a digital download of Bluebrain's 'Cult Following' EP.

RSVP'ing on Facebook will not save your spot. You must respond via email.
Hear Clips from the upcoming full-length, 'Soft Power':

http://bluebrain.bandcamp.com/album/soft-power