Lev Lafayette's journal

Yesterday I wrote a remembrance-valediction on Rocknerd for former bassist, record-label owner, vocalist, and lyricist, Dave Allen. It was almost forty years ago that I was initially introduced to his extraordinary acumen with the bass guitar through Shriekback, and further explorations would lead me into his involvement in the punk-funk fusion, Gang of Four. Rather like another famous bassist of the period and postpunk style, Joy Division-New Order's Peter Hook, Allen would often play the bass like a lead guitar and dominate a track. I find myself quite affected by his passing; not just because of because I've loved his music for so long, but also because he spent his last several years living with early-onset dementia, a truly horrible illness. For those unfamiliar with his work, I can recommend three particular tracks which really highlight his style; "Damaged Goods" by Gang of Four, "Lined Up" by Shriekback, and, what I consider his anthem, also by Shriekback, "My Spine Is the Bassline".

Continuing the theme, late last night I finished the University of Edinburgh course on "Fundamentals of Music Theory"; I took a lot longer than expected, but, of course, I have a busy life. The content was quite impressive, but there was something that didn't quite gel with me about the presentation. It was neither as comprehensive as J. Allen's Augsburg University course on Udemy, nor the snappy interest of their introductory "Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers". I rather feel I have enough theory notes to compile my own publication on the matter (educator's secret: which is a form of learning its own right), but for the time being, I'll stick to my beginner's practice. My aim in the next few months is to get some competence with Sakamoto's "Solitude" and Satie's "Gymnopédie No. 1". But baby steps first, of course.

Finally, a few evenings prior, Julie A., Nitul D., Emily R., and I caught up at the Hanson Dyer Hall to see a performance of Schnittke's "String Trio". which also included the world premiere of Australian composer Angie Coffey’s "Draevon" and was introduced by Schubert String Trio no. 1. The performance was very well introduced with a little biography of the composers, a little bit of theory, and a personal story of being in the company with Schnittke. Schnittke was a Soviet composer who, finalising this particular piece, suffered a stroke and was declared clinically dead on three occasions before revival, curiously matching his own fascination with decay. Melancholic, brooding, sometimes dissonant and even aggressive. It's definitely worth a listen or three and a copy, with score, is available on YouTube and with Kenneth Woods providing an excellent and insightful analysis.

For the past two months, I have not been engaged in any study, an itch that my brain cannot tolerate for too long. Some consideration has occurred over the past week about applying for doctoral studies and, hedging my bets, I've put in two applications one in the UK (quickly accepted) and one in Aotearoa New Zealand (several weeks for evaluation). The former is fee-based, the latter there is a fair possibility for a scholarship, although there is normally an expectation that one is actually in New Zealand and not employed full-time. I have, of course, mentioned in my application that I have completed seven postgraduate degrees now on a full-time basis whilst employed so maybe that will weigh in my favour. For the former course, I will probably do studies on quality assurance in information systems using COBOL transitions as a case study, and for the latter, expanding on my previous research on climate impacts and the use of international torts to fund adaption technologies. Meanwhile, on the other side of the divide, I've spent a bit of time marking assignments for the Cluster and Cloud Computing course and next week I have another round of workshops to conduct. I must confess I am a little surprised by the fact there are a few students who, at a master's level, have chosen not to submit a required assignment. There are undoubtedly good reasons for dropping out of a unit at times, but it is an expensive decision these days.

But it is not all work and study for me and at times I do have a pretense of a social life. Over the past two evenings, I've prepard "double faux canard" dinners for Liana F., and Erica H., respectively at Maison de Lafayette. In the first instance, I made a massaman faux canard curry and the latter a Venetian faux canard ragu with pan-fried gnocchi. The third faux canard dish awaits! On the receiving end, Chiara and Adrian C. hosted a dinner with Simon S. and Justine M., which was quite an elaborate spread with such sharp minds around the table. I also apparently made a new friend in the form of Mogwai the tuxedo cat. As an evening out, Martin P., organised a comedy festival event with myself and NinjaDan to see Melanie Bracewell who told quite an amusing story around tracking her missing AirPods - highly recommended. Our delicious dinner prior to the show at Roue Galette; it's nice to have a little bit of Bretagne in Melbourne. Also recommended is the current screening of Deep Sky, the story of the James Webb Space Telescope which I watched with Ruby M., at IMAX. Space documentaries (and realist movies) are so delightful on a massive screen. Finally, I must mention that I attended (thankfully alone) the concert Clocked Out and Myriad which was experimental percussion with a bit of theatrics. I don't mind experimental of course, but the lack of rhythmic consistency put me off. Still, one less-than-perfect event after a week of good events is not bad going.