Pronounced "ooh - SEE - ah"
Horn.Paul
Onnen.Dave
Shapiro.Jason
Teasley.Fred
..Ambient-Noise.Entity..Realizing.Collective.Sounds.Within.An.Anonymous.Environment..
Contact:
Jason Shapiro
fetik3@fetik3.com
Paul Horn
wog@black-hole.com
Dave Onnen
ousia@primenet.com
Ousia Web Page http://www.tt.net/ultramodern/ousia
aesthetic.objective
Originally known as Blue
Shift, Ousia
continues the documentation of ambiEnt.nOisE.dRonE compositions in the
form of both recorded and live mediums. Ousia refers to the synergistic
combination of these styles as "Snowbient". In realizing these documentations,
a criteria has been established with regard to the utilization of technology.
Ousia
focuses on exploiting technology which allows for flux, improvisation,
and control. Thus, the current instrumentation consists of two guitars,
bass, and synthesizers. Sonic structures are constructed around keys and
dynamics; all material recorded is able to be reproduced live, yet the
live performances are not limited to a mere cloning of the recordings.
Live shows are an important aspect to the
Ousia
experience. In an attempt to preserve the surreal, and intimate sound,
a live show has been developed to facilitate a visual experience which
remains faithful to the imagery produced by the music. Costumes and lighting
are integrated with the music in continuously evolving patterns. With each
performance new music is presented to ensure that nothing becomes stagnant
within the Ousia
sound/visual experience.
brief.history
In late September 1996, Jason Shapiro and
Paul Horn collaborated to record a piece which was written for a performance
at Intermedia Arts {"You're My Avant-Guitar Hero" Showcase}. During this
time, Horn was also working with Fred Teasley writing drone-oriented compositions.
As the two separate projects were similar in nature, it was decided that
the three should get together and compose new music. In late October 1996,
the line up expanded with the addition of Dave Onnen, and the name "Blue
Shift" was established by Teasley. Late November
1996 brought the addition of Jason Ducklinsky, as preparations were made
for their first live performance a few weeks later. In March 1997, the
ensemble were informed that there were two other bands currently performing
as Blue Shift,
and thus Shapiro suggested that their name be changed to "Ousia",
inspired from Aristotle's Metaphysics. The change in the name also reflected
an evolution in the structure. Therefore at the end of May 1997, Ousia
trimmed down from a quintet to a quartet.
After a year and a half of performing and recording
together, Ousia
decided to hang up the masks in May of 1998. The project was completed
with a performance at the same show where it all started: "Future Perfect"
Paul Horn
will continue to record in his Trancemitre Studios, developing and expanding
his musical vision. Paul's latest projects can be found at his homepage
Dave Onnen
is focusing on Skye
Klad,
and will also experiment with other side-projects in various genres.
Jason Shapiro
is writing and performing with Ana
Voog, as well as putting together many
side projects and collaborations (Milo Fine,
Mike Larson (ex-PSYKOSONIK), etc). In
addition
to these, Shapiro will also be doing many solo
recordings/projects. Information can be found at his homepage
Fred Teasley
will be working with Mindstorm
, as well as other upcoming musical ventures.
selected.performances
-
"FUTURE PERFECT" - First
Avenue {main-room} - December 9, 1996
-
w/SAVAGE AURAL HOTBED - 7th
St. Entry - December 27, 1996
-
"BEST NEW BANDS OF ‘97" {Headlining
Gig} - 7th St. Entry - February
5, 1997
-
"FUTURE PERFECT II" - First
Avenue {main-room} - February 13, 1997
-
"MOON MOUNTAIN" {Headlining
Gig} - The Laughing Cup Theater - March
1, 1997
-
w/LAIBACH - First
Avenue {main-room} - March 15, 1997
-
"DEPTH PROBE" {Featured
Cameo} - First Avenue {main-room} -
March 27, 1997
-
"ESP EXHIBITION" - Illinois
State University - May 2, 1997
-
OUSIA/THIRD EYE FOUNDATION/ROD SMITH et. al. {Headlining
Gig} - The Fine Line - June
18, 1997
-
OUSIA/NECTAR/HOSPITAL PEOPLE {Headlining
Gig} - The Norshore Theater - July
11, 1997
-
"TC MUZIQUE" {Featured
Artists} - Ch. 33, hosted by Mark Wheat
- July 24, 1997
-
OUSIA/DJ ROD SMITH/DJ WIX {Headlining
Gig} - The Twilight Lounge - August
1, 1997
-
w/SKYE KLAD - 7th
St. Entry - September 8, 1997
-
"UNIQUE TECHNIQUES" {Headlining
Gig} -The Laughing Cup - September
13, 1997
-
"THE POLAR BEAR CLUB" {Featured
Cameo}- The Loring Bar - October
5, 1997
-
"THE NEW ATLANTIS" {Headlining
Gig} - The Twilight Lounge - October
10, 1997
-
w/WINDY & CARL - Rathskeller
- Madison - October 17, 1997
-
w/WINDY & CARL/COLFAX ABBEY - 400
Bar - October 18, 1997
-
PAKUDAITIS HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA -
The Frog Pond
- October 31, 1997
-
"FUTURE PERFECT IV" {Headlining
Gig}- The Walker Art Center - November
8, 1997
-
w/SAVAGE AURAL HOTBED - 7th
St. Entry - November 15th, 1997
-
"PULSE/ZONE 105 PARTY" {Headlining
Gig} - Turf Club - November
19th, 1997
-
w/SKYE KLAD {Headlining
Gig} - First Ave., Fargo - December
13th, 1997
-
"THE NEW ATLANTIS"
{Headlining Gig}
- The Twilight Lounge
- December 26, 1997
-
"BEST NEW BANDS OF '97"
- 7th St. Entry
- December 31, 1997
-
"SNOWBIENT" {Headlining
Gig} - 7th St.
Entry - January 25, 1998
-
"THE NEW ATLANTIS"
{Headlining Gig}
- The Twilight Lounge
- February 27, 1998
-
"THE BUZZ" {Featured
Artists} - UPN Ch. 9 News - March
26, 1998
-
w/SAVAGE AURAL HOTBED
{Co-Headlining Gig}- The
Walker Art Center - March 28, 1998
-
w/FLAMING LIPS EXPERIMENT -
First Avenue {main-room} - April 20, 1998
-
"FUTURE PERFECT V"
{Headlining Gig}
- The Weisman Art Museum
- May 30, 1998
awards
BEST NOISE BAND - Winner
(City Pages - May 13, 1998)
BEST ELECTRONIC GROUP/DJ OF 1997 - Nominated
(Minnesota Music Awards - April 23, 1998)
BEST ELECTRONIC MUSIC CD OF 1997 - Nominated
(Minnesota Music Awards - April 23, 1998)
BEST NEW BAND POLL 1998 - Top
10 (City Pages
- April 22, 1998)
BEST NEW BANDS OF 1997 - 2nd
Place (Industry Poll Conducted by First Avenue
- Minneapolis)
BEST LOCAL BANDS OF 1997 - 1st
Division (Readers/Listeners Poll - Pulse Weekly
& L.S.D. on KFAI 90.3FM)
TOP 20 LOCAL BANDS OF 1997 - (Local
Music Critics from City Pages, Star Trib, Pioneer Press, Radio K, Pulse
- in L.S.D. Newsletter)
BEST LOCAL CD'S OF 1997
- (Star Tribune - Jim Meyer - December 26, 1997)
BEST LOCAL CD'S OF 1997 - (Pioneer
Press - Rod Smith - December, 1997)
recordings
Ousia - "Why
is That a Four?" (UltraModern/TRG)
{Release Date: Sept 23, 1997}
Various Artists
- "Future Perfect" (UltraModern/TRG)
{Release Date: Oct 21, 1997}
Various Artists - "Yearbook
1997-98" (Pulse
Magazine) {Release Date: January, 1998}