sonar with David Torn

ProgDay, last September, featured one of my favorite bands, SONAR (aka Sonic Architecture) from Switzerland.  I love their poly-rhythmic compositions and mesmerizing tri-tone tuned guitars (e.g. C / F# / C / F# / C / F#), an interval sometimes called the "devil in music" or "diabolus in musica").

They brought with them for guest appearance, David Torn on guitar.  I understand David's astounding musical background, and the fact that he is producing SONAR's newest release, but his guitar playing was completely incongruous to SONAR's style.  To make matters worse, his amp was turned up to the proverbial "11", thereby drowning out the rest of the band.  Maybe at a much lower volume, his waves of sustained guitar notes would cast an eerie backdrop for the rest of the band, but it simply overwhelmed and was unpleasant (for me).

Was anyone else there?  Did you have the same opinion?

You were not the only PD attendee who did not care for the Sonar/Torn performance. I've heard and read negative comments from other people as well. Personally, I liked them, but not as much as I would have if I had not been feeling the effects of lack of proper sleep - which led me to leaving the field early.

Anyway, glad to see another ProgDay fan here on PA! Next September, if you are planning to come, we should at least try to get introduced to each other .

yeah man.. there is a small but loyal contingent of us that go to Prog Day.

HolyMoly wrote: I was there too, hangin with Nogbad, Raff, Micky, HT and others. I found the combination of Sonar with Torn a bit surprising and wasn’t sure it was going to end well, but I was won over pretty quickly. He was very loud compared to the core band, but it came off as almost a power-ambient performance, with steady rhythmic weirdness backing it up, rather than the reverse which I expected. So it was really like 2 shows in one - Sonar alone was one vibe, then the vibe changed when Torn tore a new one. Overall, my 2nd favorite act of the weekend, after iNFiNiEN. I also really dug that kickbutt Hibachi dinner we all had at the end.

Little Ian was always in control. The kid knows when to say when, that’s more than I could say at his age. Even when plum wine is involved (who drinks that anyway?)

micky wrote: yeah man.. there is a small but loyal contingent of us that go to Prog Day. you might have seen me last year.. I was the damn fool who won the signed guitar raffle.. be sure to look us up.. our after music parties/nights on the town are legendary if you can keep up with H.T's Camero.. SAKE!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I remember that.  Ibanez, wasn't it?  Lucky dude!  I may have gotten a photo... have to check.

Highlights for me were Shylock, Sonar with Torn, & Ephemeral Sun. Infinien was probably the biggest surprise as I knew nothing and loved their set.

wiz_d_kidd wrote: Wow!  I look forward to meeting up with the PA contingent at this year's ProgDay.  I'm not sure I can keep up with your legendary after-hours partying... We'll see!

micky wrote: wiz_d_kidd wrote: Wow!  I look forward to meeting up with the PA contingent at this year's ProgDay.  I'm not sure I can keep up with your legendary after-hours partying... We'll see! more bark than bite.. we are getting old afterall haha.   Sprinters now than marathoners.. both big Ian and me got back Sand took one look at the party going on at the pool and said.. .ehhh...  nah..  our beds look TOO good right now.

i rallied for the pool scene but none of you fkrs showed up. At least I got to talk to Dan for a bit. And I got a refreshing swim in.

I have not met Paul, but I did get to know his wife Debbie this year. Guess Paul couldn’t make it last year.