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About String Theory:
String Theory combines the refined elegance of classical music, the clear mood of modern ambient, and the raw energy of rock & roll into a performance experience that is as inspiring as it is unique. The music is designed to engage and entice the listener/audience member to take a sonic journey to places previously unexplored. The invented instruments are the visual and sonic point of departure, and the accompanying instruments transition from support to focal roles as the pieces unfold. Traditional instrumentation such as cello, violin, voice, guitar, bass, percussion, sampler and drums round out the multifaceted sonic line up. Each band member brings different ideas and aesthetics into the mix, culminating in truly enthralling music.
Our Albums:
Blue Sky - This CD represents String Theory's pop song format & persona.
9 White Orchids EP - This limited edition EP contains 6 new tracks devoted to String Theory's rock aesthetic while maintaining the eclectic uniqueness for which they've become known.
About Sonic-Sculpture:
All the invented instruments in the String Theory arsenal were designed and constructed by Luke Rothschild, one of the founding members of the group. Luke learned about long-strings while at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago where he received his BFA in 1992. Drawing on earlier long-string technology, Rothschild created a series of resonators designed to enhance the positive aspects of the inherent long-string tonality, while still delivering a stunning and singular sculptural visual profile. The smaller resonators travel more easily, and have a better time adapting to more intimate environments. The larger resonators allow for much bigger scale long-string installations, and provide enhanced low-end frequency response. String Theory utilizes many different invented percussion instruments as well.
Here is a list of instruments/sonic-sculptures on the String Theory menu.
* The Curve Harp: At 7 feet tall with 24 strings, this is the largest resonator String Theory employs. Made from baltic birch, wenge, maple, red oak, Honduran rosewood and lacewood, its curvilinear profile informs its title.
* The Circle Harps (Wenge Circle Harp and Mahogany Circle Harp) have 12 strings each, were built as twins at the same time, and have stunning copper tops that are 22 inches in diameter. On their pedestals they rise 3.5 feet off the stage. They can be used in tandem, or separately.
* The Ray Harp has 12 strings and is our smallest resonator. This little triangular unit fits well in tight spots, and still sounds great.
* The Cyclodrums are 9 foot tall drum panels that are a gorgeous visual, and can sit off to the side posing as a design element until they are attacked with abandon by the talented String Theory percussion squad. There are two Cyclodrum sculptures, and they can spin on their central access for another visual surprise. Very kinetic and high impact.
* Percussion Droids are futuristic ambulatory drum outfits derived from a Marching Band paradigm. These two Droids function very well for herding large groups os people from one area to another, also for a 'percussion walk by'.
* Crash Staffs are 10 foot high Cymbals on poles, are very visible in a crowd, and work well in tandem with Percussion Droids for guiding groups of guests from one area to another.
* The Skirt Harp is an instrument worn by a dancer, and has a diameter of 10 feet. Its spiny spikes and austere sound summon images of aquatic creatures from the deep.
String Theory's Long-string Harp installations run from the resonating chamber and attach to existing architecture or structure, and allow sound to come off of the bridge of the instrument. The way these instruments work is through a vibration called a compression wave. This is a longitudinal vibration that occurs on the molecular level, and is quite different than a more common elliptical vibration that is utilized by guitar, cello, and piano among many other instruments. A cotton glove coated with rosin dust grasps the brass wire and strokes lengthwise pushing the molecules as they compress up the length of the string to the tuning block. The tuning blocks prevent the vibration from continuing up the string, and therefore dictate the pitch of each string; the further away the block is, the lower the pitch of the note. Each string has its own fixed note, and String Theory almost always chooses to tune their long-string Harps to a C chromatic scale.
Special Events:
String Theory consistently delivers stunning and unique entertainment to the top people in the events industry. String Theory transforms architecture into musical instruments and then ‘plays’ the building. This new concept in performance always fits beautifully when the client has a flare for the unusual and guests who enjoy only the most cutting edge work at their event or party.
Opulent golden musical brass wires envelope the guests in a canopy of sound and attach to existing structure. Choreographed dancers Harpists mesmerize onlookers with kinetic performance as they play the long-strings, generating captivating tones and textures. Either interior or outside to the facades of buildings up to 1000 feet high, String Theory installations and performances garner the highest praise from all who witness. The performances can range in scale from ambient/background trios to shows incorporating a cast of twelve, featuring dancers, aerialists, giant percussion walls and large-scale Harp installations.
String Theory is able to meet and exceed the demands of their clients by providing consistent excellence in their work, as well as flexibility. By providing many performance and installation options, String Theory is able to tailor each performance to meet the needs of the individual client and event. String Theory designers and performers always go out of their way to make sure that the clients needs are understood, and that their expectations are far exceeded by the installation and performance.
At the Vanity Fair 25th Anniversary Party for MOCA Geffen L.A., String Theory created a 360 degree installation that engulfed guests in a golden canopy of sound as they entered the party.
For the PowWow Now Event in Los Angeles, twenty-four strings from the Curve Harp stretched 200 feet to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Guests and event coordinators were enthralled with the scale of the installation and excellence of the performance. The ensemble then delivered a Percussion Procession leading the 3,000 guests to a new area of the event.
For the Opening Festivities of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, String Theory transformed the facade of the beautiful new building into a 200 foot Harp that was open to the public for interaction.
At a private residence in Brentwood, CA, String Theory installed two Circle Harps, which spread out along the entire side of the beautiful home. Attendees were enthralled during cocktails by the celestial sounds of the Harps. After dinner the guests were surprised by a roof performance, which featured 4 dancers performing on a horizontal string installation set up on the roof of the residence as 2 giant Cyclodrums were revealed on a different section of the roof for a high-energy percussion piece, which transitioned the evening into dancing and a DJ.
String Theory Networking Links
iTunes link to String Theory
String Theory's Blog
String Theory on MySpace
Strange and Elegant
performance installations by choreographer,Holly Rothschild
Long String Instrument
official website of Ellen Fullman, performer & inventor of the Long-String Instrument
LACAC
Luke Rothschild
Luke's visual art
Pharmaka
Collective and downtown gallery of L.A. based painters
Cousin Lovers
Our favorite band with which to share multiple members
Tandem Digital
provider of design %26 mulitmedia services for film, broadcast, the internet, %26 live events
The Lighter Side
lighting desiner Keith Brunsmann
Docuvitae
High-Art documentary photography and super 8
Spot Runner
makes local TV advertising accessible for small business
WGOE Radio
out of Richmond, VA; includes internet streaming
| © 2008 String Theory Productions | info@stringtheoryproductions.com | 310.822.6321 |
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| © 2008 String Theory Productions | info@stringtheoryproductions.com | 310.822.6321 |
String Theory emailing listRequired fields are bold... |