The first glimmers of electronic music can arguably be traced all the way back to the 1600s (and perhaps even earlier), but electronica as we know it today has its roots in the innovative 1950s and 1960s. With the help of computers, the experimental scene has swelled to popularity in recent years. And now, if artists like Surrounded By Ninjas and kooken & hoomen are any indication, the genre is at the dawn of a new era, where live electronica catapults experimental sounds to a new level.
Both groups are similar in that each creates eclectic, electric aural treats. They do it live, which is somewhat of an oddity considering electronica’s usual extensive production regiment. The groups have each released a new album recently, and they will both perform on Friday at the Wild Duck Music Hall. Beyond this, kooken & hoomen and Surrounded By Ninjas differ wildly in their choices of noise and style.
The term “electronica” cannot encompass all the elements kooken & hoomen cram into their music — jazz, punk and dance are just a few. However, the sound is orderly, rather than jumbled.
The band released “escuela” in 2001, and “gopal to starwin: live in san francisco 2002” is the newest release. Manipulations and loops make for a slightly more homogenous sound than Surrounded By Ninjas. However, the tracks are nowhere near boring, and they offer ample, spacey relaxation.
Portland-based duo Surrounded By Ninjas is listed second on 4th Rail Productions’ press materials, but this group is really the shining star of the two. The duo released “Real Time Modify” in February. The CD is a conglomeration of snippets extracted from more than 30 hours of music group members Asher Fulero and Joel Barber created during a six-month residency at Portland’s Goodfoot Lounge.
It’s unlikely that audiences will ever hear the same combinations played live again, given the fact that Surrounded By Ninjas doesn’t have a single set piece of music. Each song is completely improvised. According to the CD liner notes, “all music contained herein was 100 percent improvised with no prearranged notions or arrangements of any kind, and was created 100 percent live with no overdubs or post production.” This aspect comes through even in recorded form.
The sound, produced with the aid of 14 different machines, is metallic, fresh and infused with emotion — another rarity for electronic grooves. The tracks where Barber and Fulero utilized voice recordings, from television and other sources, are most adept at drawing the listener in. “several.things.in.one,” and “out.of.the.loop” are notable for this. Another exceptional track, “sleepytime.music.for.robots” is a soothing, slow expanse of noise capable of inducing sleepytime even for humans.
Surrounded By Ninjas and kooken & hoomen will do what they do best at 9 p.m. Friday. Wild Duck Music Hall is located at 169 W. Sixth Ave., and tickets are $7 at the door.