Space City Gamelan [FPH REPOST]

There are many kinds of music that conjure images of the celestial: Holst's “The Planets”, Pink Floyd's older music, Tangerine Dream, The Flaming Lips, even Houston's Red Krayola. There seems to be an ineffable thread running through space-influenced music but all of it gives listeners a glimpse of a place few of us will ever get to visit. For those looking to make that musical journey, Houston's Space City Gamelan is a good starting point.

The working definition of a gamelan is an Indonesian orchestra. The original purpose of gamelans, said member Rashida Alisha, was “musical wallpaper for dance and martial arts, ceremonies and puppet shows”. However, Space City Gamelan has repurposed their performances so that the music itself is the main attraction.

But what goes into a gamelan? What does it take be called a gamelan? Alisha said the key instruments for this unique outfit include “a myriad of metallaphones: instruments that resemble xylophones (called sarons), kettle gongs (called bonangs), a kempul (small gong) and the "mama" gong and an instrument called a slenthem; there are also drums, bamboo flutes and an instrument called a gambang (all wooden slats played with 2 mallets). Everything listed here would constitute a bare bones gamelan!”

The group's full name, Space City Gamelan Swara Dewa, means Sound of the Gods. SCG has been together for seven years and includes mostly performers from the US trained in the arcane Indonesian musical style. SCG's music relies primarily on tuned metallic percussion and is far off from any standard western scale. “The instruments were custom made for us in West Java to the specifications of our master teacher, Gatot Winandar. The tuning of the instruments is done when the metal is forged, all according to the characteristics of the gong; based on the sound of the gong, all other (metal) instruments in the gamelan are thus tuned. These instruments can never be swapped out with another gamelan set because the tuning is specific for this set. This set is a 7 tone scale, called pelog in Bahasa. The most wonderful thing is that there really is no standard tuning! In terms of notation, we use numbers,” said Alisha.

SCG performs frequently in Texas and has played along such legends as Houston's own Jandek at SXSW. Their next performance will be an outdoor show at Houston's Mandell Park on March 18. The gamelan will be setting the mood for the screening of a feature-length film about the solar system called “Orbit” courtesy of film-making collectives Rooftop Films and Cinemad. “Orbit” is a compendium of short films that includes artistic representations of each planet (which may or may not include Pluto). “[the film will be] preceded by music that takes the crowd from sunset beyond dusk, when it is dark enough to project on the outdoor screen.” Alisha said.

The event will start at 7 p.m. and will include music, film and guided tours through Meredith Gardens. Attendees are welcomed to bring chairs, blankets and picnic supplies. Black Orbit Cafe will provide refreshments.