All posts by paisleyb

Audio, Gear, Live Shows

Theremin Vs. Turntable Part 2

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This is not a Paisley Babylon performance video as such, it’s more of a test of the stripped-down, lean and mean street performance setup for some shows I’ll be doing this year in and around Chicago. The setup includes a Moog Theremin, portable battery operated turntable with some vinyl DJ battle breaks, a MicroKorg, and a couple of echo boxes.

Paisley Babylon is available to do shows with this setup–get in touch by e-mail: jwallace (at) turntabling (dot) Net. Have gear, will travel.



The beats in this video are from DJ battle break beat vinyl LPs, but all other non-percussion sounds are generated by Paisley Babylon. I also have a collection of dub rhythms, reggae-inspired beats, and other sounds I sometimes use for the live performances. While I do enjoy creating and manipulating my own percussion, I love the idea of using the turntable as a live performance instrument and the DJ battle break LPS are perfect in this regard.

–Joe Wallace

Audio, Paisley Babylon news

Paisley Babylon: Sexy Hangover

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Here’s an excerpt from a new, longish Paisley Babylon track called “Sexy Hangover”. Fans of Nurse With Wound, Coil, the more ambient selections from Nine Inch Nails’ The Fragile, and Eno should be able to find something to love about this.




Recorded in Chicago, Illinois, this new Paisley Babylon track is part of a new release that combines soundtrack sounds, electronica, loop-based live performances, 80s industrial, and mid-period Eno. Stay tuned for more–there is PLENTY to come.

DJ Paisley Babylon mixes, Gear

Theremin Vs. Turntable: Paisley Babylon Equipment Test

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Just as with my former fellow bandmates in Crevice, when it’s time to do Paisley Babylon stuff in the rehearsal space, it’s an EQUIPMENT TEST rather than a rehearsal. Well, perhaps that’s not ENTIRELY true–Paisley Babylon does have an improvisational aspect to it but it’s not ALL off-the-cuff…plenty of structure hiding in there.

Here’s one shot recently with the new theremin. Paisley Babylon’s gear list for this video includes a portable, battery operated turntable with a vinyl LP of DJ battle breaks supplying the drum track, all other noises produced by theremin and MicroKorg.

DJ Paisley Babylon mixes

DJ Paisley Babylon Vinyl Mashup Mix

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The very latest DJ Paisley Babylon mix/mashup/curated audio weirdness is available for a limited time on YouTube. This one’s full of insanity including a cut from the Willie Nelson reggae album Countryman, a bit of classic John Trubee and the Ugly Janitors of America, some deliciousness from Marshall McLuhan, KLF remixed, Bowie, much more.



As I always say…have turntables, will travel. Need sounds like these? Get in touch with me about booking and availability: jwallace (at) turntabling (dot) net.

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Paisley Babylon Single: The Phoenix Lights

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Written as a soundtrack piece (hence the repetitive theme that basically tries to pummel you into submission as you listen), the new Paisley Babylon MP3 THE PHOENIX LIGHTS, is a SkinnyPuppy-inspired track which does not yet have a home.

But there is some video work being shot in the Paisley Babylon studio that could act as a vehicle for it soon unless someone scoops it up in the meantime.

This track was inspired by a conversation with Nivek Ogre of Skinny Puppy at a recent horror movie convention (Horror Hound Weekend in Columbus, Ohio) about the nature and origin of the infamous Phoenix Lights unidentified flying object phenomena. After a couple of good chats with Ogre, it seemed like a good time to write something aggressive, analog, and old-school.

This track also marks the first with the new Paisley Babylon theremin, which was added to the gear roster earlier this week.

A video sculpture or similarly-intentioned visuals are pending for this track, it will be posted here when it’s ready…if you’re interested in licensing this track for a film project or other visual art, please feel free to get in touch: jwallace(at) turntabling (dot) net.

–Joe Wallace