The first studio album from UŽUPIS began as a way to record some of my hand-built instruments which I call Wollesonics. I built these instruments specifically for an all percussion production of Macbeth directed by master magician Teller. To accompany the "Weird Sisters", I built a 10-foot “Diddley Bow” out of music wire, 2 x 4’s and styrofoam ice buckets. I built a zither with exposed threaded rods to give Lady Macbeth a ghostly soundscape while she washes her bloody hands. I built a “Slide Vibe“ that bends pitches by dipping metal bars into water to sonically portray Macbeth's dissent into madness. In addition to the Wollesonics, I brought my set of 15 large sheep bells I acquired from the Campanacci Floris bell making family of Tonara, Sardinia.
We came into the famed Figure 8 studios with no set songs. The forms and textures and songs grew out of the instruments. Crack engineer and sound swami Phil Weinrobe experimented with hydrophones, electronics and triggers that blended extremely well with the Wollesonics. With Will Shore’s intuitive, sensitive production and masterful vibe playing and Dalius Naujo’s unconventional poetic drumming, we ended up with more than enough music to make DIRT -the premiere full length album from UŽUPIS!
- Kenny Wollesen
1. SLIDE INTO NOTHING
2. RAIN CAROUSEL
3. DAL LIUS 04:34
4. WEIRD SISTERS
5. TIME AND TIDE FLOW WIDE
6. STREET RIDERS
7. DRAMA IN UŽUPIS STREET
8. CRYSTAL SUBWAY SCENE
9. COMPASS
10. MALADROXIA
11. PAST LIFE
All songs by Užupis
WILL SHORE - electric vibraphone | vibraphone | marimba
Wollesonics | percussion | effects | moog
DALIUS NAUJO - drums | synth drums | Wollesonics | voice
percussion
KENNY WOLLESEN - vibraphone | marimba | Wollesonics
percussion | synth drums
Produced by Will Shore
Recorded by Phil Weinrobe at Figure 8 Studios
Mixed by Phil Weinrobe & Will Shore at Figure 8 Studios
Mastered by Diego Calvino at 3:3:2 Studio
Additional effects by Dave Harrington
Art & design by Užupis
