Rod Modell writes in the liner notes for Waveform Transmissions, “F.Y.I. - Dr. Patrick Flanagan has perfected the Mark XI and Thinkman Model 50 neurophones. It is possible to download taped information directly into long term memory. The U.S. Government will not recognize his work even though he has made a deaf man hear for them, and the CIA utilizes this system daily.” This quote sums up nicely the the ‘attitude’ of Rod Modell’s ambient music. An amazing release, “v1.0-1.9” (released on Silent Records in 1996) is an important gem that has never received the recognition it deserves. Listening to this CD nearly eight years later, I am amazed that it stands the test of time as well as it does. Ironically, “v1.0-1.9” was Rod’s first release and Silent’s (along with Makyo’s “Rasa Bhava”) last release. Luckily, Kim Cascone found the music on this release to be important enough to slip it through just before the label was sold.
The power of the Waveform Transmission release can be glimpsed by looking at the credits in the notes for the CD:
“Rod Modell - Digital audio graphs, granular synthesis (courtesy of M.I.T.), microwave communications, psycho-acoustics
Chris Troy - Analog tone engineering and realization, location recording, para-normal research, recordings of the dead”
Recorded live, just weeks after Rod had met Chris for the first time, in the basement of WSGR FM in Michigan, “v1.0-1.9” is more than drone. It is an exploration into the impact of sound on the human psyche. Similar to what Clock DVA was exploring during this time, this CD focuses on using earth frequencies from NASA, microwave, paranormal recordings, field recordings and both analogue and digital synths to create a masterpiece of dark ambient music.
Two years after his first release, Rod Modell found himself involved with Michael Halcyon (M. Sickinger). Mike was in the process of releasing a compilation CD that included many of the former Silent Records artists. This release is worth noting, not only for it’s wonderful track selection, but for it’s success in re-creating the Silent vibe. Besides the two tracks he provided for the CD (one with Michael Mantra, the other as Waveform Transmission), Rod also did the digital edits and mastering. The CD also included music from Michael Mantra, Pelican Daughters, Transendental Anarchists, and Heavenly Music Corporation, as well as new liner notes from Kim Cascone.
This same year (1998) also saw the first collaboration between Rod Modell and Michael Mantra. “Sonic Continuum”, released on Hypnos Records, contains two long tracks (35 minutes each) featuring brain hemisphere synchronization frequencies, binaural beats, field recordings, 40 HZ tones, and Tibetan gongs. As if that wasn’t enough, Rod Modell also found time to release his masterpiece, “The Autonomous Music Project” on the Soleilmoon imprint Lunar. Included on this CD are seven soundscapes that incorporate “electro-organic, virtual reality audio textures” into an amazing ambient release.
In the year 2000, Rod joined forces with Mike Schommer and started the minimal techno label Deepchord. Quickly becoming a cult favorite, the Deepchord vinyl-only releases sold out worldwide necessitating the need to release a CD compilation in 2001. Reminiscent of Basic Channel, and hailing from Detroit, this is techno at it’s best.
Today, Rod Modell is as busy as ever. Still co-running Deepchord and releasing vinyl, Rod also does audio mastering for Richie Hawtin’s M-NUS label. Rod performed live at the 2002 Detroit Electronic Music Festival and, luckily for us, released his second full-length collaboration with Michael Mantra (titled Radio Fore) as a hand-numbered limited edition release of 500 copies on Amplexus.
This month (January, 2004) will see the third release of his Octal project and it looks as if it won’t stop there. Much respect goes out to Rod Modell for managing to keep the spirit of the classic ambient era alive in his new recordings. I would like to thank him for the time and energy he has put into this site and look forward to hearing more in the future.
Rod Modell Discography
Full-Lengths:
Waveform Transmission - v1.0-1.9, Silent Records, 1996
Rod Modell - Global Systems Silent Moving, Silver Records, 1998
Rod Modell & Michael Mantra - Sonic Continuum, Hypnos Records, 1998
Rod Modell - The Autonomous Music Project, Lunar/Soleilmoon, 1998
Deepchord - DC 1-6, Deepchord, 2001
IMAX - Brush Park, Pacou (Tresour)/Linear Logic, 2001
Theorem - THX, N-Nus Recordings, 2002
Niederflur - ND4, M-Nus Recordings, 2002
Rod Modell & Michael Mantra - Radio Fore, Amplexus Records, 2003
Tracks on other CDs:
Rod Modell & Mike Schommer- “?” on the Six Hours One Week #4 compilation & ‘zine, 1997
Rod Modell & Michael Mantra - "Sonic Continuum [halcyon edit]" (7:16) on the Oscillations compilation, Halcyon Recordings, 1998
Waveform Transmission - “Sonology” on the Oscillations compilation, Halcyon Recordings, 1998
Rod Modell - “Ipperwash Twilight” on the Weightless, Effortless Compilation, Hypnos Records, 1999
Rod Modell - “Cool Watery Depths” (11:03) on Between Sun and Moon compilation, Amplexus / Soleilmoon, 1999
Deepchord - “CD 12-00-01” on TechnoTuner V.0.2 compilation, Technotuner / EMI (Europe), 2003
12” Singles and EPs:
Deepchord - DCV07, Deepchord, 2000
Deepchord - DCV08, Deepchord, 2000
Deepchord - DCV09, Deepchord, 2000
Deepchord - DCV10, Deepchord, 2001
Deepchord - DCV11, Deepchord, 2001
IMAX - DC Trax, Octal, 2001
Deepchord - DC14, Deepchord, 2001
CV - Movement, Octal, 2003
Deepchord - DC16, Deepchord, 2003
Rod Modell - Kettle Point EP, Echocord / Kompakt
Octal #03
Other:
The Discovery Channel Television Network - Produced atmospheric background music for television program on “Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes”, 1999
Deepchord set performed at the Detroit Electronic Music Festival (DEMF) 2002
Von Schommer - Limited Edition Full Length CD release featuring source material provided by Rod Modell, then deconstruced / reconstructed by Mike Schommer.
Rod Modell
Rod Modell
Drop the idea of becoming someone else, because you are already a masterpiece.
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Daniel Logikal
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:-)
Love his stuff on Echocord...must check out some more stuff...will hunt some stuff down later 
