THE NIGHT STUFF
Noise and chaotic creativity make up 'Radiodelic'

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Thomas Wasson uses a collection of electronica to create sonic chaos in "Radiodelic," happening tonight at thirtyninehotel.

"I like clock radios because they have their own rhythm sets," explains Wasson. "As the clock blinks on and off, it creates little electromagnetic differences that I can play along with if I need background rhythmic structures."

We are in Wasson's steamy concrete box of a workshop, tucked within the depths of the Art Department at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. A collection of electronic flotsam and jetsam — antique electronic keyboards, reel-to-reel tape recorders, amps, drills, chicken wire, a butane torch and still more clock radios — reaches for the rafters around us. Several amps near Wasson pound out a soundtrack of between-station AM and FM gibberish from the radios, while Wasson contorts himself to orchestrate it all into an impromptu performance piece.

"The radios are the only input devices for my sound performances. So each time I perform, I'm completely dependent on what's out there drifting around," says Wasson, looking heavenward. "That makes each performance absolutely unique."

In something of a teaser for a November exhibit of his interactive sound sculptures, Wasson will host a performance of his Octopus Broadcasting Unit's "Radiodelic" at thirtyninehotel gallery tonight. Named after the dexterity required of Wasson to manipulate its array of radio receivers, amps, transmitters and other cast-off electronic equipment, "Radiodelic" combines all of the above as compositional devices for creating otherworldly soundscapes.

After a few more minutes of fiddling — adjusting tuning dials, securing mikes to radio speakers with tape, working the controls of an old mixing board — little snippets of sonic sanity appear.

The ghostly voice of a woman warbling in Korean floats over a series of tones that wavers with the movement of Wasson's hands and arms. A steady electromagnetic pulse mirrors the sound of a jackbooted army on the march, while another background pulse gives the impression of approaching thunder claps. Dispersed within the chaotic din of it all are occasional bits of indecipherable talk-radio chatter.

The volume grows louder with even more pulled-from-the-ether soundtrack ingredients as Wasson's performance crescendos. The narrow workshop becomes a wind tunnel of sound with Wasson frantically creating on one side, and me taking in his full sonic assault on the other.

It's not exactly music. Heck, it's not even consistently rhythmic. But Wasson never promised his work would be either of these.

"It's like an embracing of the chaos," Wasson says of his performances. "It doesn't come from a musical paradigm. It comes from a noise paradigm. Its character is chaos and noise."

A graduate instructor of electronic arts and intermedia at UH, Wasson's background is in sculpture. "I started working with sound as a way to extend sculpture further," said Wasson. "Sound is an interesting thing in that it takes up space like sculpture does, but is intangible." Combined, "sound is almost like a living part of sculpture."

Wasson is simply part artist/part DJ working the boards, "grabbing what I need from the radios and moving it around."

"I'll have a nice big semicircle of equipment on Friday," says Wasson, surveying the smallish confines of his workshop. His plan for the show so far includes 16 clock radios, four amps, a collection of transistor radios, guitar effect pedals and an old Korg keyboard. Wasson will also be toting an FM transmitter capable of sending his performance out to anyone driving past the gallery.

"There's a little bit of disruption involved in what I do, and that's on purpose," said Wasson. "I take the stream, manipulate it, and then put it back out into the stream as my own chaotic mix. The broadcast is as important as the reception."

From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. today at thirtyninehotel. Entry is $5. Call 599-2552.

HYPNOTIZE ME

A potty-mouthed stage hypnotist who performs with a live DJ? Count us in! Internationally touring hypnotist Sailesh promises an improved self-image to audience volunteers and adults-only laughs to everyone else at shows continuing tonight and Saturday at Gussie L'Amour's. Sailesh's Saturday show will also mark Gussie's last stand as the Nimitz Highway club closes its beer-stained doors after 21 years. Shows at 8 p.m.; doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 door. More information at www.onstagehawaii.com.

BURLESQUE B4 SUNRISE

And for folks who can't face going home, Flash Hansen, Matty Hazelgrove and G-Spot launch their Club 301 weekly with two parties at Paradise Showclub, from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday mornings. There'll be burlesque dancers, DJs, pupu (but bar service only after 6 a.m.). At 939 Ke'eaumoku St.; 21+ only.

Reach Derek Paiva at 525-8005 or dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com.