New Release! Simon Barker "Variations on a Running Rhythm"

"Variations on a Running Rhythm"
A drum chant utilising a collection of new rhythm/sticking shapes.

This recording of new drumming pieces is an exploration of ideas I had whilst barefoot running and thinking about how the mechanics of running could help prompt the development of a set of parameters for new drumming material.

The "running rhythm" that starts each track was an idea I came up with whilst running in the hills at Mino Park a few years ago.

I recorded these as unedited single takes at home on VDrums (and overdub the electric bass later). The VDrums are interesting as I love the sounds and being able to record at home is amazing, but to get the crunch I like in the articulation I have to kind of over-articulate to get the attack I want, so it’s turned out to be a nice context to push the physicality of articulation beyond what I would normally do on an acoustic drumset. I usually practice on the floor but after a few months of exploring this material I realised it required a lot of time learning new movements at the drumset, so the Vdrums were a great space to learn new physical motions. Over time, I started to become sensitive to the unique expressive possibilities that the instrument offered and now feel that it works as a parallel artistic space along with the acoustic drumset or the floor.

SIMON BARKER