Art Metropole

#03600

Busy Signals

Artist

Michael McCormack

Price

$10.00

Date

2003

Publisher

self published

Format

Artists' Books

Details

CD

Size

14 × 12.5 × 1 cm

Genre

CD

Description

The artist places a call to 12 artist-run-centres across Canada to serenade the unsuspecting listener with his own songs and acoustic guitar. The listener’s response, hangup, busy signal and operator recording become part of the composition. The result is a sometimes hostile and sometimes generous and warm exchange between the artist and his surprised collaborators.

All songs recorded over the telephone, tracks 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 from McCormack’s bedroom in Guelph, Ontario, on March 2nd, 2002. Tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 11 and 12 in Kit’s kitchen in Montreal on February 19th, 2002. Track 9 is by the Sadies, track 11 by Palace, track 3 by Magic Baking Powder. All other songs written by McCormack. Kit Malo sings backup vocals and plays clarinet on tracks 5, 6 and 12. Elena Johnson sings backup vocals on track 5. Kit Malo sings lead vocals and plays guitar on track 11.

Liner notes feature unique hand-collaged booklets made from different sections of the phone book and containing a single square of toilet paper printed with the artist’s contact information.

Track Listing:

1. a slice of life: Studio 21, Halifax, NS … 4:03
2. turquoise voice: Eyelevel Gallery, Halifax, NS … 3:44
3. rhythm: Centre Design Contemperains, Montreal, PQ … 3:10
4. fool in me: La Centrale, Montreal, PQ … 3:10
5. walking: Icari, Montreal, PQ … 2:30
6. nonsensical mornings: Galerie 4, Montreal, PQ … 3:22
7. consistent interruptions: In Abstracto, Toronto, ON … 4:39
8. a slice of life: Gallery 44, Toronto, ON … 3:44
9. 120 miles per hour: Nickel Arts Museum, Calgary, AB … 2:59
10. house flies: gallery 83, Vancouver, BC … 2:59
11. new partner: Liane and Danny Taran Gallery, Montreal, PQ … 3:30
12. consistent interruptions: Usine C, Montreal, PQ … 3:47

1.