2012 – for The Frank Horvat Band (vibraphone, 2 electric basses, 2 electric guitars, optional fixed electronics) – 5:00

Sheet Music

Score (pdf)
Vibraphone Part (pdf)
Electric Bass Parts (pdf)
[please contact me for the fixed electronics sound file]

Recording

Album: Strange Machine
Buy Song: iTunes or CDBaby
Date: March-June 2013
Location: THE FARM, Toronto
Musicians: Frank Horvat, Justin Haynes (guitar), Michael Davidson (vibraphone)
Producer: Frank Horvat and Jean Martin
 

Programme Notes

Strange Machine is an instrumental piece that I had composed and recorded for inclusion on my band’s first album, I Can See You. It did not end up making the cut for that album since it did not compliment the other tracks. But it did have such an impact on me that I decided to make it the lead and title track on the band’s follow-up album. The loops and mechanical quality to it also ended up inspiring the album, Strange Machine, to be a concept album where all the other pieces were in some form or another related to the idea of us using machines or them controlling us.

The composition itself is sort of strange to include as the first piece on album of “pop” music. In essence, it’s very much akin to any of my other contemporary classical chamber compositions with each instrument following a mapped-out part (except for the electric guitar).

I like how the piece conveys a bit of an impersonal, dark feel, especially the bass.

– Frank Horvat

LT#072