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Writer's pictureJosh Markarian

Douglas Lee's Themes for Falling Down Stairs Is An Experimental Sonic Journey

"Multi-Instrumentalist, Performer, Composer and Sound Artist Plunges Head First Into Timeless Aural Solo Album Performing an Array of Unusual Instruments Including Musical Glasses, Koto, Shamisen, Analog Synths, Wild Noisemakers and Various Soundscapes" - It's Alive! Media


"Themes for Falling Down Stairs", released October 23rd, 2020 is a sonic journey into unknown areas. Existing beyond dimensions, the album's experimental approach exposes listeners to otherworldly frequencies.



Douglas Lee manipulates each sound through his use of unconventional and obscure instruments from around the world. His dedication to under-appreciated and lesser known instruments have allowed him to genuinely create art that is outside of the influence.


Within the album he explores sonic barriers through musical glasses, guitar, koto, shamisen, organ, analog synthesizers, melodica, marimba, electric vibraphone, jaw-harps, tuned gongs and chimes, aprés baschet sound sculpture, suikinkutsu, vinyl manipulation, noise and soundscapes.


In a statement from last year musician Douglas Lee noted “I’ve performed around the world on television, been a featured soloist on the glasses and work assisting and developing wild sonic tools and practices, but nothing compared to completing my debut solo album Themes for Falling Down Stairs". He adds “I was able to create my own world using otherworldly music and my love of outré instruments like the glasses, Theremin, the koto, musical saw and shamisen to inhabit a time and space that exists separate from the location of the listener.”



The track listings for Themes for Falling Down Stairs is:

  1. Evening Stars of Cyrangoon

  2. Raid On The Purple River

  3. Jeminor’s Lost Night In Kakarta

  4. Montgomery’s Trek

  5. Zarseilles Lowrider

  6. Emzir’s Ark

  7. Jasmine Hover Blossom

  8. Lucky Money Music

You can pre-order the album here before (or after) it’s released on Oct. 23rd:: https://douglaslee.bandcamp.com/releases



Liner Notes:

Produced by Michael Rozon and Douglas Lee

All selections written and arranged by Douglas Lee (except "Jasmine Hover Blossom" written by Douglas Lee and Paul Pate)


Featuring:

  • Douglas Lee - musical glasses, guitar, koto, shamisen, organ, analog synthesizers, melodica, marimba, electric vibraphone, jaw-harps, tuned gongs and chimes, aprés baschet sound sculpture, suikinkutsu, vinyl manipulation, noise and soundscapes

  • Scott Doherty - rhodes piano

  • Sarah Kramer - trumpet

  • Heather Lockie - violin

  • Paul Pate - clarinets, saxophones and flutes

  • Robert Petersen - double bass

  • Danny Ursetti - drums

  • Danny Gomes - koto on “Jasmine Hover Blossom”

  • Deacon Marrquin - drums on “Evening Stars Of Cyrangoon”, “Montgomery’s Trek” and “Jasmine Hover Blossom”

  • Mike Penny - shamisen on “Lucky Money Music”

  • Artwork and cover design by Mary E. Pagone


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