Andrew Dixon – Mind Noise CD Release Party (Oakland)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

Mind Noise, the much anticipated fourth album by Andrew Dixon is here, and is even more Avant Garde than his previous works. And he is going to celebrate his new creation with two big CD Release Parties! The fun begins at the Back Room in Berkeley on July 23rd at 8pm, then there will be an even bigger party at the beautiful Temescal Art Center in Oakland on July 24th at 2pm. Join us for one or both events!

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.

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

Temescal Art Center, 2pm July 24
Suggested Donation – $10 at the door
https://www.temescalartcenter.org
511 48th Street OAKLAND CA 94609

Back Room Berkeley, 8pm July 23
Tickets $15 Adv / $20 door
https://backroommusic.com
1984 Bonita Ave. Berkeley, CA 94704

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.