Dispatches From Unnoted Stations, Book #1: MICROCHIP-ÉCLAIR
Jack W. Stamps
About this work:
This work is a reflection of the inexplicable numbers station phenomenon; an apparent worldwide network of clandestine short-wave radio stations which dispatch cryptic messages that no nation, or other entity, will acknowledge. After a bit of research, I began to imagine cold, low-lit, stark little shacks, littered with antiquated electronic equipment, in various ambiguous settings, and ‘operatives’, bored with their lackluster duties, attempting to make meaningful connections with the outside world. It blends a few scant examples of real numbers stations transmissions with new, scripted ones. Along the way, our giant shortwave radio picks up a random, cheerful song by an alien being using a space-translator who is plotting the destruction of the earth. This work is the first in an indefinite series of like ‘transmission’ concert pieces and features the voices of Yevgeniy Sharlat and the composer.
Text:
1) Ice Cold Regards
Male voice:
Ice cold regards, dispatched from my phantom station.
C to the 21st , H to 22nd. N2. O2.
We implore you to forget what this was in reference to....
2) A Pause for Station Degeneration
3) Interlude #1
(English woman reciting numbers)
synth female voice:
IM IM IM IC
4) MICROCHIP-ÉCLAIR
Russian male voice (in English):
MICROCHIP-YOGURT
LENTIL-OSTRICH-VIRGO-ÉCLAIR
The breath of spring is everywhere…
COSTUME-ARMCHAIR-LENTIL-LITTLETOE
The mimosa casts its delicate shadows…
YOGURT-OSTRICH-UNDERDOG
My dreams are butterflies…
The fragrance of the quince intoxicates like wine…
FISHSTICK-ICARUS-NOZZLE-DOORMAT
I pluck the willow of sorrow…
MICROCHIP-ÉCLAIR
A gulf divides us,
and there is no enchanted bridge of frequency to carry me across….
5) Interlude #2
6) Spacegown
Male alien voice:
I’m donning a spacegown. I go to the window.
I look to the distance, to the round green and blue.
Maintaining a spacefrown, I go to the blaster of Brionmar pride and point it at you.
I’m plotting our spacescheme; the atomic drill.
Your free-thinking oneness doesn't make sense in space.
We have but one spacequest; answer us this, this thing that you call Amway…
Will it bring our world bliss?
Male Voice:
We implore you to forget what this was in reference to....
7) Far Away is He
Female synthesized voice:
I-M I-M I-M I-C I-M I-M I-M GOLDMINE
Last night I saw him in a dream….
Suddenly I awoke to feel again his absence…
I-M PELVIS-SCULPTOR A-KEY
Far, far away is he in unknown lands…
I turn away, unable to see his empty place…
I-M PELVIS-SCULPTOR A-KEY
The withered mulberry knows the cruelty of Heaven’s wind…
[The] ocean knows the bitterness of Heaven’s cold……
U-R U-R RAMSACK-PINCUSHION
The others are happy in the loves of their homes…..
The chilly complacence of this station….
Four walls and a microphone….
And no one to talk with me……
WEEDKNEE-E-DRUTHER
DEFINED-ME-DIUM-WAVE
WEEDKNEE-E-DRUTHER
7) Spacegown (reprise)
Male alien voice:
And now that I spaceknow, I move to my spacefridge.
I take out the Quan-quans, and the salty spaceglaze.
Maintaining a spaceknife, I carve the revenge that I serve to you cold.
It’s very cold in space.
Version: Stereo
Year composed: 2007
Duration: 00:09:35
Ensemble type: Electronic Instruments and Sound Sources:Prerecorded Sound
Instrumentation: