Q & A with Johnny Chang on Found Sound in LA

Johnny Chang considers his occupation to be an "experimentalist." The 27-year-old Auckland, New Zealand native has been living in LA for 7 years now, currently making Echo Park his home. If experimentalist is a bit too abstract or general for you, Chang freelances as violinist.

No, you generally won't see him playing Bach with the LA Chamber Orchestra or on a soundstage recording music for a film. Rather, that occupational title he gives himself means something, especially if one checks out his show a week from Sunday at Dangerous Curve called Field Recordings/Found Objects.

In this first interview with Chang, we'll cover some basics. More next week.

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Explain what found sounds in contemporary music mean to you.

Field recordings for me mean opportunities and possibilities. I like to think of my engagement with the materials as experiments in sound, leading to the creation of experimental situations in the context of sonic performances.

What's the status of today's LA experimental music scene?

disclaimer: I am only writing about this from a very personal perspective.

Gosh,, I know that since the new & improvised music series, linespaceline, ceased to exist, there have been bands of experimental musicians roaming the streets, and the woodlands of LA. This lot will play anywhere, from ocean view sidewalks, outdoor amphitheaters, to concrete basements, construction sites and even their own vans...

Which LA based performer/composers should we be on the look out for?

The following performer slash composers all have at least this in common: they are captivating performers who are able to make disappear the boundaries between composed thoughts (the composition) and the act of realization (the performance).

Keep an eye out for performance announcements by:
(in no particular order)

Marc Nimoy (construction electronics / guitarist )
Albert Ortega (construction electronics / installation artist)
David Kendall (construction electronics / composer )
Raven Chacon (bassist / composer)
Jeremy Drake (guitarist / electronics)
Laura Steenberge (bassist / composer / performance artist)

Best venues for this type of music?

Short of playing on the street corner, I prefer a space in the City Area with a view onto the street, that way chances are fairly that outside happenings will filter in and blend into the soundscape. Most importantly anywhere you can gather up a collection of friendly ears...

If you were to choose site-specific locations in LA for this type of music, where would you do it and why.

In considering site-specific locations, it is always an opportunity to explore Los Angeles locations you love and sections that demand further attention. Since I am from New Zealand I look for sites and sounds that cannot be found back at home. My personal favourites are the local Mexican eateries, taco trucks and stands. Garment district. And the Warehouse district, more specifically east of Alameda from 4th Street southward.

If you are looking for a space to play out your experiments in found sounds, I highly recommend anyone interested to look up Sandpaper Books. The bookstore faces out onto Figueroa,, with couches set out for a rather cozy listening and performing experience.

Any sound clips to share with us?

The following links to the field recordings prepared for March 4th's Field Recording / Found Sounds concert at Dangerous Curve. They will be used in the premiere of Brooklyn-based composer Jonathan Marmor; scored for violin, trumpet, 5 steel string acoustic guitars and playback devices.

More sounds that will be used at the March 4 concert can be found here.