Songs of Bacchus
Who is Dionysus/Bacchus?
More than just the God of Wine...
Mozart, Shakespeare, Michelango, Aristotle, Nietzsche, Jim Morrison, Offenbach, Ralph Waldo Emmerson, Schubert, Cy Twombly, Purcell, Rubens, Frank Zappa, all were inspired and created works of art in honor of him.
A melody added to a Shakespearian sonnet, a folk guitar arrangement of a French opera aria, a hidden 60's rock masterpiece. All these are inspirations and source material for the "Songs of Bacchus".
2 vocalists share the stage with multi-instumentalist (Guitar, Rhodes, Vibraphone, Cajon) MNO to re-interpert, and create new melodies from 500BC to present day.
Song of love, laughter, despair, mixed in with rousing drinking songs are the order of the day. Here the stories of his life, exploits, and influence on the greater world.
Bacchus; a God for all times.
Make Room with Instruments mix by mnomusic
Monarch Of The Vine by mnomusic
More than just the God of Wine...
Mozart, Shakespeare, Michelango, Aristotle, Nietzsche, Jim Morrison, Offenbach, Ralph Waldo Emmerson, Schubert, Cy Twombly, Purcell, Rubens, Frank Zappa, all were inspired and created works of art in honor of him.
A melody added to a Shakespearian sonnet, a folk guitar arrangement of a French opera aria, a hidden 60's rock masterpiece. All these are inspirations and source material for the "Songs of Bacchus".
2 vocalists share the stage with multi-instumentalist (Guitar, Rhodes, Vibraphone, Cajon) MNO to re-interpert, and create new melodies from 500BC to present day.
Song of love, laughter, despair, mixed in with rousing drinking songs are the order of the day. Here the stories of his life, exploits, and influence on the greater world.
Bacchus; a God for all times.
Make Room with Instruments mix by mnomusic
Monarch Of The Vine by mnomusic
Bombazine Black
Bomabazine Black AKA "Matt Davis" and I started this project back in Paris in 2007.
Originally Matt asked me to help perform some compositions of his which were described to me as "Instrumental Indie Rock songs". Guitar, bass drums, cello, and vibes, why not? It seemed like it would be fun to play a genre of music I had never been involved with but what happened ended up being one of the most rewarding and educational musical experiences of my life.
After a couple successful shows with the big group, Matt and I hit the studio as to try to create/record some duo tracks. No rehearsals, no pre-concieved ideals, no click, no editing, just make music. The result was a series of delicate, wistful melodies of indescribable beauty. The inherently different ways in which we approached writing music caused us both to reconsider what and how a song is made. My focus has always been harmony and rhythmic focused while as Matt's over-ridding concern was about form and pacing. We challenged each other, made beautiful music which has been greatly received. Most everything we have ever written has ended up as part of a film score, which I feel is testament to the overall mood and texture this unique duo bring to the world.
Sea Darker by mnomusic
Originally Matt asked me to help perform some compositions of his which were described to me as "Instrumental Indie Rock songs". Guitar, bass drums, cello, and vibes, why not? It seemed like it would be fun to play a genre of music I had never been involved with but what happened ended up being one of the most rewarding and educational musical experiences of my life.
After a couple successful shows with the big group, Matt and I hit the studio as to try to create/record some duo tracks. No rehearsals, no pre-concieved ideals, no click, no editing, just make music. The result was a series of delicate, wistful melodies of indescribable beauty. The inherently different ways in which we approached writing music caused us both to reconsider what and how a song is made. My focus has always been harmony and rhythmic focused while as Matt's over-ridding concern was about form and pacing. We challenged each other, made beautiful music which has been greatly received. Most everything we have ever written has ended up as part of a film score, which I feel is testament to the overall mood and texture this unique duo bring to the world.
Sea Darker by mnomusic
Purcell Jazz Project
The Purcell Jazz Project (PJP) is the newest creation of a long line of "jazz-crossover" by MNO.
Jazz is the closet thing we have today which can analytically compare to Baroque music. Though separated by 300 years, the complexity of melody, harmony, pulsating bass lines, and songs of love, death, and the wealth of emotions in-between, has been the cornerstone of both music forms.
After spending a 2 years period in deep study of the (Pre) Baroque master Henry Purcell, MNO has found a voice which can bridge these 2 worlds, respecting both, synthesized to create a new approach to improvised music.
"When i first started comparing the basso-continuo's of Purcell with that of modern groove music, how the melodies and harmony continually shifted over a rock steady bass, I realized the potential to modernize Purcell in a way that would not detract from the original compositions"
"The plan was simple, keep the melodies, rhythmically alter the basso-continuo's and re-harmonise the songs to to create a more contemporary feel to each piece.
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"Is that a Zeplin tune?"
- An audience member questioning me after a performance of "Thy Hand Belinda" at the Rockwood Music Hall (NewYork)
The Plaint by mnomusic
Jazz is the closet thing we have today which can analytically compare to Baroque music. Though separated by 300 years, the complexity of melody, harmony, pulsating bass lines, and songs of love, death, and the wealth of emotions in-between, has been the cornerstone of both music forms.
After spending a 2 years period in deep study of the (Pre) Baroque master Henry Purcell, MNO has found a voice which can bridge these 2 worlds, respecting both, synthesized to create a new approach to improvised music.
"When i first started comparing the basso-continuo's of Purcell with that of modern groove music, how the melodies and harmony continually shifted over a rock steady bass, I realized the potential to modernize Purcell in a way that would not detract from the original compositions"
"The plan was simple, keep the melodies, rhythmically alter the basso-continuo's and re-harmonise the songs to to create a more contemporary feel to each piece.
-----
"Is that a Zeplin tune?"
- An audience member questioning me after a performance of "Thy Hand Belinda" at the Rockwood Music Hall (NewYork)
The Plaint by mnomusic
Paris based
MNO Trio : An instrumental Jazz trio trio devoted infusing live electronics/sampling into jazz and popular standards.
Manteca by mnomusic
w/Netchaiev : 2 laptops, drum trigger, mallet Kat, lots of knobs. These 2 talented jazz musicians, dig deep into the world of improvised electronic music. Cut up Gamelans, glitched out prayer bells; all created in real time. We also work in tandem with video duo Agent Orange and Mr. G to form Anatomic Dada
Gamelon Mix by mnomusic
Henry : The duo of Elise Velle and MNO devoted to the re-structuring of the music of Henry Purcell to these modern times.
What A Sad Fate by mnomusic
Manteca by mnomusic
w/Netchaiev : 2 laptops, drum trigger, mallet Kat, lots of knobs. These 2 talented jazz musicians, dig deep into the world of improvised electronic music. Cut up Gamelans, glitched out prayer bells; all created in real time. We also work in tandem with video duo Agent Orange and Mr. G to form Anatomic Dada
Gamelon Mix by mnomusic
Henry : The duo of Elise Velle and MNO devoted to the re-structuring of the music of Henry Purcell to these modern times.
What A Sad Fate by mnomusic
San francisco Based
MNO : That's me! I have been a recording artist and re-mixer for 6 Degrees Records for many years now. I have released many of my own tracks and EP's as we remixed many artists on the 6 Degrees roster. My all time favorite track I have made during my time with 6 Degrees is on the "Backspin : A 6 Degrees 10 Year Anniversary Project" I transformed my favorite Beatles song "Julia" into an Indonesian Glitch lullaby. (Sorry can't put that up on my site though, gotta by from the label)
Kat Mix by mnomusic
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Realistic/Jazz Mafia : The greatest group of musicians i have ever had the pleasure to work with. Over a 6 year period, e played 100's of shows, pushing the boundaries of what improvised music can be. We dissected Drum & Bass, sampled everything under the sun, had a DJ who could scratch in "7", Had string orchestras grooving with DJ's, brought the "Tiki" party to the jazz public (after a 50 year absence), opened for Brad Mehldau, Roy Ayers, grooved with Stevie Wonder, and countless MC's, won the Bammies, and somehow got paid for it all.
Sr 75 - Realistic by mnomusic
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Lumin : Chill electronic music meets Balkan choir and much more. Traditional songs from Eastern Europe, Turkey and North Africa are given electronic renditions, always faithful to the source but amped up for current consumption. Have released records for Hearts of Space, 6 Degrees Records, and most recently Daikini Records.
Ketri by mnomusic
MNO & Irina : A wonderful side project featuring the Khazakstani goddess Irina Mikhailova.
1000 Pieces by mnomusic
Kat Mix by mnomusic
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Realistic/Jazz Mafia : The greatest group of musicians i have ever had the pleasure to work with. Over a 6 year period, e played 100's of shows, pushing the boundaries of what improvised music can be. We dissected Drum & Bass, sampled everything under the sun, had a DJ who could scratch in "7", Had string orchestras grooving with DJ's, brought the "Tiki" party to the jazz public (after a 50 year absence), opened for Brad Mehldau, Roy Ayers, grooved with Stevie Wonder, and countless MC's, won the Bammies, and somehow got paid for it all.
Sr 75 - Realistic by mnomusic
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Lumin : Chill electronic music meets Balkan choir and much more. Traditional songs from Eastern Europe, Turkey and North Africa are given electronic renditions, always faithful to the source but amped up for current consumption. Have released records for Hearts of Space, 6 Degrees Records, and most recently Daikini Records.
Ketri by mnomusic
MNO & Irina : A wonderful side project featuring the Khazakstani goddess Irina Mikhailova.
1000 Pieces by mnomusic
Film Music
I have written for a number of films over the years including........
