The Stargazer's Assistant will be performing at the The Horse Hospital
Colonnade, Bloomsbury
London WC1N 1JD

Wednesday 12th March 2014

A NIGHT OF ASTRAL EARTH PLANE MUSIC SURROUNDED BY THE PSYCHIC PAINTINGS OF ETHEL LE ROSSIGNOL


DOORS 7:30PM
TICKETS £8 ADVANCE TICKETS (CLICK HERE)
FEATURING  THE STARGAZER’S ASSISTANT, ALEXANDER TUCKER AND JOSEPH LEWIS.
“In true hearing, the voices of the archangelic realm carry unimaginable ecstasies which overcome the spirit, revivifying springs of harmony within and without.”
From A Goodly Company (1933), received from the spiritual spheres by Ethel Le Rossignol.

The Stargazer’s Assistant – David J Smith, and Michael J York.  Eyes closed, ears wide open, we are given freedom to dream the void.
“Music of rare emotional power, of penetrating beauty, with the capacity to extend and enhance its listeners’ understanding; it is, in other words, the real deal.” Oliver Arditi

Alexander Tucker – “[A] mixture of the hauntingly familiar and the unaccountably strange… conjures [a] thrilling sense of disorientation and wonderment.” The Quietus

Joseph Lewis – “Joseph Lewis’ hurdy gurdies chart an alternative folklore of the British Isles. Produced through a rigorous study of ancient craft traditions and folk symbols, these instruments are nevertheless a celebration of an anarcho-democratic and carnivalesque tradition.” Pil and Galia Kollectiv


http://www.thehorsehospital.com/now/possessors-of-the-orb/

Oliver Arditi
News and reviews focussed on local, independent, leftfield, experimental, progressive or plain good music.
The Stargazer’s Assistant – Mirrors & Tides, Shivers & Voids (dark ambient)
Posted on October 21, 2013 0

Utech Records URLP079, 2×10” & DD album
$23 2×10” $7 DD

http://utechrecords.com/Releases3.html
http://utechrecords.bandcamp.com/album/mirrors-tides-shivers-voids

There’s no easy categorisation for this music, no recognisable stylistic tag that readily contains it, but it evinces a coherent, clearly-stated set of aesthetic and creative values, an imagistic approach to the making of musical statements, that produces much the same clarity and precision of expression that can be found by working inside an established style. It’s obvious from the start that there is a rigorous method and a fully formed creative language informing the sounds, and part of the music’s fascination is the partial unveiling of that broad artistic vision, leaving the listener at the end of this album (or these two EPs) with the distinct impression that it has only scratched the surface; it is apparent that David J. Smith has a great deal to say. The Stargazer’s Assistant is a rubric under which he has said relatively little – or rather, under which he has made relatively few statements, as this recording is nothing if not dense with meaning; if you go looking for his pubic creative persona (in music at any rate, as he is also a sculptor), you will find it principally as the percussionist, and now sole remaining original member of the avant-rock ensemble Guapo. This music is rather different, certainly inasmuch as it doesn’t draw on the stylistic lexicon of rock music in any but the most tangential manner, but there are undeniable affinities as well. Its affective compass straddles darkness, mystery and beauty in much the same way, and it balances the cerebral against the visceral in a similar manner to the best of Guapo’s releases, its ideas both thoughtfully conceived and passionately expressed.
There are quite a variety of textural approaches in play across these two discs, but the effect is not one of disjuncture or even eclecticism; long sustained drones sound very much of a piece with percussive grooves, quite clearly facets of the same musical practice. The release as a whole consists of two vinyl EPs, Shivers & Voids, which was released in 2008, and the newly recorded Mirrors & Tides; it’s very much a single creative work however. There is a symmetry to the discs, each featuring its title tune as a relatively short work between two longer pieces, in each case a relatively complex exposition followed by a spare and simple piano epilogue. The compositions eschew the traditional sort of formal structure, being episodic rather than strophic or developmental, and all are founded around the gradual organic growth of relatively simple ideas and motifs. There is complexity in spades, but it comes in the form of textural modulation and timbral lamination, rather than in the discursive melodic-harmonic exposition that is still the normative practice of ‘serious’ music. These compositions are built in the manner of ambient or drone music, although they are too rich with detail and incident to fall into such categories, and invite a more active mode of listening. The most frequently encountered sounds are piano, a stringed instrument (or instruments) with double courses and a taut sound, like a bouzouki or saz, the singing of Mika Rättö on the more recent disc and an uncredited vocalist(s) on the earlier, and percussion. On Mirrors & Tides Smith makes use of the metal percussion collection of the late Finnish drummer Edward Vesala, but there are also metallic sounds on the earlier recording, whose opening ‘Night Soil’ begins with the sound of a gong. There are also synthesised sounds, and to be honest, a fair few whose sources I can’t identify; I like to work with whatever information is volunteered, so I haven’t asked for clarification on this, or on the working methods that produced the recordings, and I don’t intend to speculate.
There is silence at the core of this music; the silence from which it arises, and into which it subsides, but also the silence that frames it as it progresses. Each element is placed with care, and even at the music’s loudest, most active moments, there is always the sense that it is situated in one tiny corner of infinity; textures build with enormous serenity and a total lack of creative anxiety. Mirrors & Tides, Shivers & Voids is not so much a statement, as a slow, deliberate unfolding. There are elements of consonant tonality, and of concrete non-tonal sound; there are rhythmic cyclicities and open ended sequences; long drones and short attacks. The common theme is the gradual accumulation of elements, the long slow dynamic build, and a somewhat unsettling, melancholy affective landscape. Sometimes the feeling is explicitly ominous, as in ‘The Dream Kingdom’, which also, it should be said, contains some of the most consonant, affirmational harmonies on the release; most of the time the music is more ambiguous. There are moments when the soundscape is openly representational, as in the woodland scene elaborated in ‘Night Soil’, or the jets and explosions of ‘Secret Kingdom Of The Swift’, but for the most part it is more painting than drawing, more colour than shape.
Mirrors & Tides, Shivers & Voids is also sometimes simply, generously beautiful, with no hint of cold or dysphoria, as in the closing vocal episode of ‘Coral Butterfly’. This sensual aesthetic is a constant throughout the music, however, even when the affective surface is less inviting; the compositions are sometimes dark, threatening, disorientating or disturbing, but their subject, it seems to me, is the beauty of darkness, of fear, of being unsettled. To place a positive aesthetic valuation on the more forbidding shades of human experience, unless it is done with the celebratory glee of the slasher flick, is an extremely ambitious creative project; to do so in a way that embraces the complexity and contingency of life, and that effectively communicates its author’s take on the world, requires care, rigour, and most importantly some genuine degree of insight. David J. Smith has truths to tell us, and he’s gone to considerable lengths to share them with clarity. While his work as The Stargazer’s Assistant may steer clear of the discursive and technical intricacies that are usually valorized as the tokens of compositional and musicianly prowess, his work here, both in its conception and execution, is supremely accomplished. This is music of rare emotional power, of penetrating beauty, with the capacity to extend and enhance its listeners’ understanding; it is, in other words, the real deal. Hear it.

Mirrors & Tides, Shivers & Voids Review

Lovely review of The Stargazer's Assistant LP here:

http://astoundedbysound.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/the-stargazers-assistant-mirrors-tides.html

Mirrors & Tides, Shivers & Voids Ltd double 10" Vinyl

Now taking pre orders for The Stargazer's Assistant double 10" LP. It comes in a limited edition of 300 copies and includes a download card/code.

Release date is 27th July.
£20.00 post paid for UK residents
£22.00 post paid for rest of Europe
Paypal: stargazersassistant@yahoo.co.uk
or visit guapo1.bandcamp.com

LABEL
Utech Records
utechrecords.com
CATALOG NUMBER
URLP079
FORMAT
2x10”
Poster sleeve 20”x20”
Black vinyl + download
Edition of 300
TRACKLIST
Side A
Coral Butterfly
Side B
Mirrors & Tides
Secret Kingdom of the Swift
Side C
Night Soil
Shivers & Voids
Side D
The Dream Kingdom
ART
Patti Jordan
pattijordan.com
DESIGN
Keith Utech
ARTIST PHOTO
ASW & DJS
STREET DATE
July 27, 2013

A 2x10” vinyl release from David J. Smith, The Stargazer’s Assistant, incorporating 2008’s acclaimed Shivers and Voids EP on Utech Records and a new three-track EP, Mirrors and Tides, featuring “Coral Butterfly”, “Mirrors & Tides” and “Secret Kingdom of the Swift.”
Eyes closed, ears wide open, we are given freedom to dream the void. Sweeping, intricate, sometimes ominous yet always exuding a warmth and depth of emotion, The Stargazer’s Assistant produces pure cinema of sound.
For the new EP, David J. Smith is joined by Circle vocalist Mika Rättö’, who sings on the heart-breaking “Coral Butterfly”. David also had the honour of playing the late Finnish jazz drummer Edward Vesala’s Sound & Fury collection of unique metal percussion.
Ancient forests, vast plains, billowing clouds, rusted metal hulks, wet rock walls, lights flickering in darkness: these are the subtle visions of The Stargazer’s Assistant.
Born in Stourbridge, 27th August 1970, David J Smith studied fine art before gaining his BA at Cardiff in 1991. He moved to London in 1994 and concentrated on musical projects, including the avant rock group Guapo, which he co-founded.Smith has been playing drums and making music since 1986 and is regarded as one of the UK’s most spectacular and imaginative percussionists. As well as The Stargazer’s Assistant and Guapo, he performs with Cyclobe and the Amal Gamal Ensemble.

stargazersassistant.blogspot.com

THE STARGAZER’S ASSISTANT
MIRRORS & TIDES, SHIVERS & VOIDS

Mirrors & Tides Shivers & Voids Double 10" Vinyl

The Stargazer's Assistant artwork fresh off the printing press!!!
Forthcoming album Mirrors & Tides, Shivers & Voids coming soon on Utech Records. Luxurious double 10" vinyl and download. Ltd copies will be available through the Guapo bandcamp site and via:
www.utechrecords.com

The Stargazer

The Other Side Of The Island - Horse Hospital Video

The Other Side Of The Island Soundtrack

Carbunculus 3

Untitled Work In Progress

When The Dust Settles at Rio Cinema

When The Dust Settles installation view from the Rio Cinema, Dalston 30th July 2011.

Live at The Crypt St Pancras Church

At Home With The Ludskis'

David J. Smith will be exhibiting "Carbunculus I & II" and "When The Dust Settles" a joint installation with Amanda Whittle as part of the At Home With The Ludskis' event at the Rio Cinema in Dalston, East London on 30th July.

Steve Beresford + Angharad Davies, The Stargazers Assistant & Disinformation LIVE

Steve Beresford + Angharad Davies, Disinformation, The Stargazers Assistant + David Knight - live at "The Origin of Painting" closing event, Usurp Gallery, Sun 13 March 2011, 3pm to 7pm

Internationally known as a free improviser on piano and electronics, Steve Beresford also composed scores for 3 feature films and numerous TV shows and commercials. Steve has worked with hundreds of musicians, including Usurp Gallery performer Najma Akhtar, and Derek Bailey, Han Bennink, Ivor Cutler, Ray Davies, Christian Marclay, Evan Parker, Adrian Sherwood, Otomo Yoshihide and John Zorn. In 2009 Steve performed "Ephemera" by Christian Marclay, solo at The Louvre, and Steve recently performed "Indeterminacy" by John Cage with comedian Stewart Lee and pianist Tania Chen. Angharad Davies is a violinist active in contemporary, improvised and experimental music, whose freelance projects include work with artists such as Tony Conrad, Kazuko Hohki, Jim Thirwell and Mark Wastell. Since 2002, she has been exploring and expanding sound production on the violin by extending the sounding possibilities of the instrument.

The Stargazer's Assistant is the solo project of artist and Guapo percussionist / founder David J. Smith. Initially born out of the need to incorporate a sound element into David's large-scale sculptural installation "The Other Side Of The Island", since 2007 The Stargazer's Assistant has evolved into a fully formed musical entity, producing a series of highly composed and labour-intensive CD recordings, and live improvisations which focus on eclectic and subtle percussion performances which exude warmth of emotion. David Smith will be joined by David Knight on electric guitar and effects. David and David also perform together in The Amal Gamal Ensemble.

Disinformation is an art project primarily known for pioneering work with electromagnetic induction effects produced by the sun, lightning, the National Grid, and (as currently exhibited at Usurp Gallery) photographic flash equipment etc. Disinformation partly evolved out of its author's involvement (as a ground observer) in the Istochnik-Ariel laser antenna experiment on space station MIR. Since then Disinformation has exhibited in a nuclear bunker, bank vault, trawler and railway tunnel, at The Hayward Gallery (alongside Christian Marclay and Brian Eno), at Palais de Tokyo (Paris) and (for the MTV Awards) in Barcelona's Olympic Stadium, had 12 solo exhibitions, and collaborated with musicians such as Jim O'Rourke (from Sonic Youth) and saxophonist Evan Parker.

Usurp Art Gallery & Studios

140 Vaughan Road

London HA1 4EB

http://www.usurp.org.uk

Admission Free

Usurp Gallery is 2 mins walk turning right out of West Harrow tube, West Harrow is 20 mins from Baker Street by Met Line towards Uxbridge. Usurp Gallery is open Thursdays to Sundays 2pm to 7pm. Please note 3pm start time for the March 13 concert.

http://instituteformodern.co.uk/2011/live-musical-accompaniments-at-usurp-art-gallery-24th-feb-and-13th-march

http://stargazersassistant.blogspot.com

http://www.angharaddavies.com/

http://www.youtube.com/C4eye

When The Dust Settles Archive

Beneath a car park, behind the shopping precinct in Dalston lies a disused World War II bunker, a mysterious, damp, dark labyrinth.

From the 7th to 10th october 2010 this subterranian world will be home to David J. Smith & Amanda Whittle's sculptural installations along with the sound installation "National Grid" by Disinformation.

In conjunction with the exhibition Smith and Whittle have curated a programme of music performances and short films by several prominent London based musicians and artists.

Ltd Edition Mothbox

Ltd edition of one only.

Record box for the Mothlite album Flax of Reverie 2008

Price £850.00

Inquirys via: stargazersassistant@yahoo.co.uk

Carbunculus 2

Carbunculus

A new piece is born.

Shivers and Voids

The Stargazer's Assistant - Shivers and Voids >Utech Records 018 > URSK4

Available September 13th 2008

David J. Smith (Guapo, Miasma & the Carousel of Headless Horses) releases a second set of recordings as The Stargazer's Assistant. Following The Other Side Of The Island on Aurora Borealis, Shivers and Voids is a union of instrument, voice and tape. A soundtrack left waiting for the right film to accompany it through the dark. Sweeping, intricate, sometimes ominous, yet always exuding a warmth of emotion. Ancient forests, vast plains, billowing clouds, rusted metal hulks, wet rock walls, lights flickering in darkness. The Stargazer's Assistant reveals all this to us.

The Other Side Of The Island: Exhibition Archive

This series of images documents the Horse Hospital Gallery show 18.06.07 to 07.07.07

Press release: DAVID J. SMITH : THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISLAND

“We find no vestige of a beginning, no prospect of an end" James Hutton, Theory of the Earth, 1795

Deep underground, life moves slowly. Once teeming with insect and amphibian life, the great swamps of the Carboniferous era were buried under the weight of 300 million years, eventually returning to the surface as coal. In this new form they would be consumed in fires and furnaces for three thousand years before blackening the lungs of Empire and driving the Industrial Revolution. It was then that James Hutton, the first geologist, began to consider the depths beneath our feet and the unimaginable abyss of time that they represent.

This is the world that David Smith’s imposing, unsettling, yet somehow sympathetic sculptures inhabit. Entering their domain, we are submerged in a fully-formed environment that is very much alive – not life frozen in time, but life moving so slowly, so imperceptibly, that, were we to watch and wait for years, even centuries, we might never see it in motion. This is the forge of the Earth. This is deep time. Whether we read his creations as extrusions from the id, some entirely alien life form, Northern European kobolds or perhaps, given Smith’s native lands, Welsh coblynau, these beings embody lives devoted to and consumed by eternal, elemental labour.

Such notions reflect the two years of work sunk into bringing his visions to life; life that emerged slowly, painstakingly, out of wax, coal, copper and lead. On considering Smith’s visual style, as well as his own stated influences – Edward Kienholz, Malcolm Poynter, Jan Švankmajer – we might also pick up echoes of HR Giger, René Laloux’s La Planete Sauvage, Jean Giroud (aka Moebius), Philippe Druillet and other contributors to the pages of Métal Hurlant magazine; fitting enough given Smith’s parallel existence as a rock musician.

The current work is Smith’s first to combine both visual and musical disciplines: for the piece he has composed an original soundtrack in collaboration with longstanding musical cohort Daniel O'Sullivan and audio engineer Antti Uusumaki. Welcome, then to The Other Side of The Island. It may feel like an alien land, but really, it’s not so very far from home.

Mark Pilkington. London, June 2007