January 7–14, 1999
music
Strangers in a Strange Land
Transient Waves just might be North Philly's most unlikely band.
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When you think of North Philadelphia, ambient music probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. Much of the working-class neighborhood located just north of Girard Avenue is known for wily drug dealers, antsy drive-by shooters and aggressive cops. Yet, it's also home to Transient Waves, a band creating music that sounds like it's being transmitted from another planet. Their bowed drones, sizzling white noise and hypnotic, reverb-laden tones grounded by heartbeat-thick drums aren't exactly congruous with North Philly's desolate blocks.
The trio lives together on the top floor of an old converted carriage house. Strands of orange and violet Christmas lights are draped over the exposed beams, lamps and wall sconces, making the living room almost seem like a music video set. The cozy space doubles as the band's practice area and recording studio. A burning Duraflame in the finished brick fireplace adds to the loft's gentle, otherworldly glow.
On the right side of the mantle is Transient Waves' self-effacingly titled "Wall of Fame"—graced with the band's releases to date. For a group that's barely been together three years, Transient Waves has an impressive catalog: They've already produced two albums, a handful of singles and appeared on several compilations. Most of these works have been released by notable independent English labels such as Ché, Rocket Girl and Fat Cat. The band's following overseas is arguably larger than in their own country. Part of the reason may be that space rock is a thriving genre in England's ambient and house scenes while much of America deems a relic of the '70s.
"I read a review of Windy and Carl from when they played in town here and the reviewer wrote 'Isn't space rock dead yet?'" recalls Transient Waves guitarist Loren Jackson, 23. "Is it supposed to just come and go? If it's good, it's good."
The band, originally from San Francisco, moved to Philadelphia on a whim a little over a year ago. They'd been living for a few months in Virginia Beach in a house owned by Jackson's brother.
"We were like strangers in a strange land," recalls Jackson in a long drawl vaguely reminiscent of Crispin Glover. "Most of the people who lived there were Navy families and hicks."
So, in the summer of '97, they decided to pack up and move to the City of Brotherly Love. They'd played their first live gig at The Khyber a few months before and knew members of local band The Asteroid #4. In a town swelling with space rock, Transient Waves just might be its most ethereal combo.
Jackson describes much of their early output as "bedtime/meditation/massage" music. If it weren't for the rich bass sound and big beats, it could almost be New Age. The group's most accessible material is probably from their upcoming album Sonic Narcotic, to be released in the spring by Fat Cat. On these tracks, the group samples and loops itself, creating a brand of sparse, minimalist funk that may have more in common with ambient house than space rock.
Though Transient Waves uses traditional instruments—guitar, bass, cello, timbales, congas and other bits of percussion—its members feel a closer alignment to the world of electronica than space rock.
"I think that's because all of those rave kids take ecstasy and appreciate what we do," jokes Jackson. On a more serious note, cello and bass player Sid Tucker adds that they would like to hear their music mixed by DJs.
The members of the band, self-admitted homebodies, have only played four gigs so far and are still developing their live act.
"It's a challenge to recreate what we do on record, because there's so much layering," says Tucker, 25. But it's a challenge they're embracing with more invigorating grooves.
As for making Philadelphia their permanent home, these, ahem, transient folk may move back west by the end of '99. Not surprisingly, the gruffness of Philadelphia harshes their mellow.
"If you ride too close to someone on your bike, they'll track you down and threaten to beat you up," says Tucker. "It's really weird." Hearing gunshots on a regular basis doesn't help, either.
"We've decided that we should make one album per city," explains Tucker with a smile, referring to the band's three different residences in the past year, "And we've recorded an album here, so…"
Appreciate Transient Waves while they're here. If you see them live, be prepared to bliss out.
Transient Waves will play on Tuesday, January 12, at The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888.
