The Guild of Scientific Troubadours

Grant B on Pocket: Remixing Danny Seim

This is not explicitly a song about science (although it’s getting harder and harder for me to draw that line), but I’ve got a remix coming out as part of the fascinating project that Pocket has been doing – releasing an album of collaborations with all-stars (like Robyn Hitchcock, Steve Kilbey of The Church and Craig Wedren of Shudder to Think) a single at a time, with the singles being packages with remixes by all sorts of other folks.

Including me.

I am not a techno DJ. Anyone who has spent a few minutes listening through the song archive here could tell you that. I do, however, have access to a banjo and slide guitar, I’ve got some editing software, and I’m told I have a knack for loneliness.

So I did something to a track by Pocket with Danny Seim of Menomena and Lackthereof. It’s not like the other remixes. It’s not like Danny Seim. It’s not like what I do here. But it is sort of like all those things put together.

So, go check it out and hear for yourself, either via Pocket or directly from Other Music. I thought it was pretty darn good.

Entered on 1 February 2010 at 19:50 in the Guild Affairs, Music file | Care to make an observation? |  Print

A GoST steampunk cameo.

I’ve just received word that the Guild of Scientific Troubadours has a brief walk-in part in the latest novel being drafted by this fine author. It’s an early draft, so who knows what will happen, but thus far dancing robots, monocles and several songs from this very site have been mentioned.

David Barnett, the Guild salutes you!

Entered on 29 January 2010 at 18:48 in the Guild Affairs file | Care to make an observation? |  Print

No song today…

Between playing on Wednesday and moving into a new house, there hasn’t been any time for writing and recording – so the 23rd will go by without a new song.

It will arrive soon, along with a penitential cover.

Thanks for understanding.

Entered on 24 January 2010 at 5:04 in the Guild Affairs file | Care to make an observation? |  Print

Note: Improved mix of “A Strong Enough Lie.”

It’s 11 p.m. Eastern, so I’m claiming this as still the 23rd, and I’m submitting a vastly improved mix of“A Strong Enough Lie.” Drums are now matched to beats, extraneous things have been cut away and that saz part makes more sense.

Sometimes, even coffee isn’t enough to make it all make sense the night before. If you’ve already listened to it and cringed (and who wouldn’t?), give another try. It’s safe now. I promise.

Entered on 24 November 2009 at 4:14 in the Guild Affairs file | Care to make an observation? |  Print

Guild Salute: MASSIVE Science Songs.

How did I only find out about this amazing, ambitious site now?

It’s the Math And Science Song Information, Viewable Everywhere (MASSIVE) database, affiliated with the Science Songwriters Association. Any outfit that includes The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets and Mose Allison in the same list is OK by me.

So very many songs…. Breathtaking.

MASSIVE and SSA, the Guild salutes you!

(And is currently looking over membership materials….)

Entered on 27 June 2009 at 6:44 in the Guild Affairs, Music file | Care to make an observation? |  Print

Song delay….

Yes, it’s the 23rd. There should be a new song here. There isn’t.

You, oh faithful readers, will have a scientific song rather soon. And then, as is the custom here, you’ll have a truly horrible penitential cover.

Mea culpa.

Entered on 23 June 2009 at 14:45 in the Guild Affairs file | Care to make an observation? |  Print

A mote in an Eye Ball.

I’ve just been interviewed in this new zine, Eye Ball.

It is a dictionary of joy and interesting things.

There are entries consisting of bhaji recipes, and of interviews with David Rees of Get Your War On, and of a description of the upside-down horse of Lascaux, and celebrating the Humboldt squid.

If you are reading this here, there is something there that will make you happy.

Check it out – pdf available for free download over here.

Entered on 3 June 2009 at 14:10 in the Guild Affairs file | Care to make an observation? |  Print

Song delayed: penitential cover will be forthcoming.

I’m blowing this month’s deadline in a big way, I think – moving out of my house this week. Many things in boxes. Phone & internet going down.

But the finished thing should be interesting. And a penitential cover song about science. Not sure which to choose, so if anyone has any ideas, please let me know!

Entered on 23 January 2009 at 15:53 in the Guild Affairs file | Care to make an observation? |  Print

The Guild was on the air.

And if you’d like to listen, it’s archived over yonder, or if you’d like to download, try this link here.

The excellently edited voice of your guildmaster appears at around the 15:00 mark.

Entered on 17 January 2009 at 4:30 in the Guild Affairs file | Care to make an observation? |  Print

The Guild Is In The Loop.

So I just back from recording a segment for In the Loop, a show from Minnesota Public Radio where it is now unspeakably cold.

We talked about science, not music, but hopefully managed to inspire a few listeners regardless. Between my awkward pauses and strange mouth noises, of course.

I’ll post the podcast when it’s up; the show airs Friday at 6 p.m. (in what I’m guessing is Minneapolis time, but might be local to each market).

Does this make me a boffin now?

Entered on 16 January 2009 at 4:00 in the Guild Affairs file | Care to make an observation? |  Print