Band releases album as kernel module

9 years ago

Cycles Per Instruction - The Kernel Module Edition

Welcome to the most unnecessarily complicated netcat album release format yet.

In this repository, you will be able to compile your own kernel module, create a /dev/netcat device and redirect its output into an audio player.

ogg123 - < /dev/netcat

This repository contains the album's track data in source files, that (for complexity's sake) came from .ogg files that were encoded from .wav files that were created from .mp3 files that were encoded from the mastered .wav files which were generated from ProTools final mix .wav files that were created from 24-track analog tape.

Track information will show up in the output of dmesg.

Tags: computers, linux, mad science, music, pranks

6 Responses:

1. Rob Hanlon says:

   9 years ago at 1:54 pm

   You might be interested in some of the things they do in their music with custom software. It's cool stuff.

   The concept is to create music out of the chaotic web of communication that our smartphones transmit. Anyone who wishes to participate can join the wireless network at the installation. Any time you receive an email or browse a website, our software will add a part to an ongoing piece of music. Here, the computer is the improviser - netcat has instructed it how to make certain sounds, but ultimately the computer, based on your smartphone interactions, will decide what to play and when.

   http://blog.tableandchairsmusic.com/post/81593891423/do-computers-improvise-netcats-installation-at-the

2. bq Mackintosh says:

   9 years ago at 7:00 pm

   There's a man page for this, I assume.

   • Rob Hanlon says:

     9 years ago at 8:45 am

     There's one for the band, at least:

     NETCAT(1) General Commands Manual NETCAT(1)

     NAME
     netcat - a free improvising computer music band

     SYNOPSIS
     netcat - Cycles Per Instruction [April 18th 2014]

     DESCRIPTION
     As netcat, Brandon Lucia (drums, Chango, computers), David Balatero (cello,
     computers), and Andrew Olmstead (synthesizer, computers) explore the
     intersection between technology, complexity, and free improvisation. netcat's
     music brings together seasoned performance on conventional instruments --
     cello, synthesizers, and drums -- combining it with computer generated sounds
     and computer instruments, like the Chango, a novel synthesizer that is played
     with light.

     The mixture of these ingredients is textural, long-form structured
     improvisations. netcat's music is the kind that calls for laying down on the
     floor with expensive headphones on and enjoying the solipsism. The flow of the
     round, sinusoidal bass of the Chango and synthesizer carry the listener on an
     electric current, through a confluence of sweeping, dramatic arcs on the
     cello and tympanic drumming. Among it all manifests speaking computers
     attempting, with futility, to master spoken langugage and a sonic embodiment of
     the flurry of bits and bytes traversing a computer network.

     netcat's music is soothing and human, even as it careens through esoteric
     electric soundscapes. As if despite the technology and complexity, netcat's
     sound is organic and approachable. It affords structure and cohesion to the
     listener, alluding to the profusion of technology and its relationship with
     humanity in the world today.

     AUTHOR
     brandon lucia - drums, chango, computers
     david balatero - cello, computers
     andrew olmstead - synthesizer, computers

     SEE ALSO
vangelis
tangerine dream
paul lansky

3. Jon says:

   9 years ago at 12:39 am

   And lo, there's already an issue filed for "unclear source license" and a flamewar about non-GPL kernel modules.

   • jwz says:

     9 years ago at 11:36 am

     I did notice the lack of license, and the Michael Jackson Eating Popcorn GIF immediately began playing in my mind.

   • Nate says:

     9 years ago at 4:51 pm

     Maybe the RIAA was never the true enemy? All you are cleared to listen on Linux is the RMS song.