Nov 25 - Deep Listening - Afternoon Workshop 3-5pm
'What Is Deep Listening?
Deep Listening is a lifelong practice. The more I listen the more I learn to listen. Deep Listening explores the relationships among any and all sounds whether natural or technological, intended or unintended, real, remembered or imaginary. Thought is also included.
Deep Listening practice consists of listening, sounding, and movement pieces.. The results are processed by group discussions in workshops and retreats. Deep Listening is for musicians as well as participants from other disciplines and interests. Previous musical training is not required.
We open in order to listen to the world as a field of possibilities and we listen with narrowed attention for specific things of vital interest to us in the world. Through accessing many forms of listening we grow and change whether we listen to the sounds of our daily lives, the environment or music. Deep Listening takes us below the surface of our consciousness and helps to change or dissolve limiting boundaries.' - Pauline Oliveros
Dan recently completed Deep Listening Facilitator training through Pauline Oliveros' Centre for Deep Listening at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY , and has led and co-led Deep Listening Workshops at Bristol New Music Festival, Supernormal Festival, the BIMM Institute, D-UNIT Studios, and Strange Brew, Bristol.
Workshop participants are invited to take part in a range of Deep Listening exercises, including those devised by Pauline Oliveros. The workshop is open to everyone - no musical training or advance preparation is required. Instruments will be provided, and participants are welcome to bring their own acoustic instruments / objects - anything that makes a sound!
Nov 25 - 'the Bellflower' - Evening Performance
The Bellflower is part one of a trilogy of solo percussion pieces Dan has been developing since summer 2021. The Bellflower explores the effects of repetition on the listener & performer through linear drumming concepts with the aim of using minimal phrases to generate maximum effects. The Bellflower was composed in real-time on stage at the Lanes, Bristol, October 31st 2021 and has been performed live only four times since. Since its inception almost a year ago it has evolved into what Dan believes is its truest and most powerful form.
“Dan Johnson needs to be seen to be believed. He's an exciting addition to any band's lineup, but as a solo performer his drumming is unparalleled. Capable of keeping an audience engaged for an entire set, and never bowing to the traditional limitations of the instrument, Dan continues to exceed his last, best performance. Just go and watch.”
- Ed Taylor, ‘The Grey Area’, Noods Radio