Andrew Dixon “Mind Noise” CD Release Party at Black Cat (SF)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

Mind Noise, the fourth album by composer and musician Andrew Dixon was just released, and is even more avant-garde than his previous works. He is celebrating this new creation with two more big CD release parties. The first one happens on August 31st at the Black Cat in San Francisco, with the second show at the beautiful Stow Lake Boat House on September 3rd. Join us for one or both events, and give it a listen at the bandcamp page below.

Mind Noise is lean, raw, and hauntingly beautiful, vacillating between incredibly delicate ballads and more intense electronic pieces. Showcasing two different bands, each with their own style, the songs move back and forth from electric to acoustic. This reflect the events we have dealt with in the 2020’s, filled with up and downs, hard hitting, yet with a sweet side that allows us to relax.

Reaching beyond the sounds of the previous album Renegade, Mind Noise begins with a bang, or rather with a scream, as a homage to John Zorn. The intro song, “Pesadilla”, which means Nightmare in Spanish, says Wake Up! and Here you are! The challenges we all faced these past couple of years proved to be pure inspiration for Andrew Dixon. For example, the song “Depression Episode” spells out what was happening for him during the pandemic. The value of family is also illustrated, with “Lament for a Father” as a tribute to Andrew’s recently deceased father, as well as songs that Dixon composed for his children and one for his wife. The suite “Head Hand Heart” was written for David Liebman, at the time that Andrew was blessed to study with David during the pandemic. “This is very interesting. as well as passionate, cutting-edge music—get it out there!!” says David Liebman about Mind Noise.

For this fourth album, Andrew has limited the instruments he plays to Alto and Tenor Saxophone, giving it a lamenting, earnest quality which comes from this unique instrument that is both brass and woodwind. Taking inspiration from groups like The Stooges, Yes, Ornette Coleman, Pharaoh Sanders, John Zorn, Bjork and the Charles Lloyd Quartet for the acoustic portion, Andrew has composed a series of original tunes that go against your typical jazz fare, while tapping into his eclectic musical roots.

Featuring Justin Rock on guitar, Mike Quigg on drums, Ian McArdle on keys and Andrew Dixon on sax, the evening is guaranteed to bring you a different perspective about how we hear the noise in our heads, how those sounds play out to become music, and how we identify with it. Andrew Dixon’s new album lets us review and define what is needed so that the music can come to us, inviting us to be in a state of temporal oscillation.
https://www.ragedixon.com & https://andrewdixonrage.bandcamp.com

Black Cat SF
Two Seatings, 7:00pm & 8:30pm, August 31
Tickets: Premium $35 / Bar-partial view $25
https://blackcatsf.com/event/andrew-dixon-2022-08-31/
400 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA, 94109

Stow Lake Boat House
7:30pm, September 3
Tickets: $35
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lakehouse-jazz-tickets-74499918261
50 Stow Lake Dr E
San Francisco, CA 94118

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.