Asthmatic Kitty A&R man Michael Kaufmann is preparing to end his nine year collaboration with Wayne S Feldman as Therefore, an "exploratory sound art duo" that once practiced their peculiar ideas around the Puget Sound. Not only are they ending the band, they are completely "wiping the slate." Kaufmann and Feldman stated that during the upcoming 12 hour final performance of Therefore at the Brooklyn Fireproof performance space on April 28 (noon to midnight), they will be selling all of their instruments and equipment. "Whatever does not sell will be pawned or destroyed the following day," Kaufmann said.

             The performance coincides with the release of Therefore's last recording, The Bomb Grant, available through Long Beach's Sounds Are Active label. "This last document is an audio collage constructed during the process of purging both members' hard drives of all remaining sound files and related data."

             Having incorporated elements of "punk, progressive economics, and sonic graffiti, to analyze the production and distribution of goods and services of art/music in its various guises," the scope of Therefore's productivity in the last decade includes guerrilla and institutional performances, installations (physical, virtual, and conceptual), compositions, and lectures. These include the distribution of 400 plus one-of-a-kind releases (given away on streets, in schools, and malls), several 8 hour performances, 22 and 30 hour continuous performances, and collaborative works for dance, theatre, film and video.

             "Therefore's approach to music and art is calculated yet improvisational, meditative yet simultaneously anxiety-infused," Kaufmann commented. "The physical composition of space and conscious movement through that space positions Therefore in a broader artistic tradition. This is not the noise of youth rebellion or art-damaged power electronics, it is a poetic and painterly cohabitation of the space of music, art and the everyday."

Stop in to check out Therefore's final demonstration in Brooklyn:

April 28, 2006 - Noon to Midnight
Brooklyn Fire Proof
101 Richardson St.
Brooklyn NY 11211
718.302.4702
http://www.brooklynfireproof.com
Admission Free

 

             SHAPES & SIZES DEBUT

             Kaufmann was also involved in signing Asthmatic Kitty Records' latest act, Shapes & Sizes from Victoria/Vancouver BC. The Canadian band's self-titled debut full-length is due out on July 25th, and was co-produced by Frog Eyes engineer Toland McNeil. Reportedly, it was the band's live show that sold Asthmatic Kitty on the band, though it is currently unknown whether Shapes & Sizes plans to tour the US anytime soon.