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Pan Demons' Band
Paul Cutlan
Label: Self Produced
Released: 2026
Duration: 1:40:00
Views: 32
Tracks
PDB 1/1; PDB 1/2; PDB 1/3; PDB 1/4; PDB 1/5; PDB 1/6; PDB 1/7; PDB 1/8; PDB 1/9; PDB 2/1; PDB 2/2; PDB 2/3; PDB 2/4; PDB 2/5; PDB 2/6; PDB 2/7; PDB 2/8; PDB 2/9; PDB 2/10
Personnel
Paul Cutlan
woodwinds
Sandy Evans
saxophoneAndrew Robson
saxophone, alto
Phillip Johnston
saxophone
Sam Gill
saxophone
Lloyd Swanton
bass, acousticSteve Elphick
bass, acousticChloe Kim
drumsNic Cecire
drumsGary Daley
accordionOliver Miller
celloPhillippa Murphy-Haste
clarinetJames Greening
sousaphoneAdditional Personnel / Information
JAMES GREENING TROMBONE; PHILLIPPA MURPHY-HASTE VIOLA.
Album Description
A common joke about the quixotic climate in Tasmania, where I grew up, ran: 'if you don't like the weather, just wait a minute'. Perhaps the same jibe could be applied to the musical flow of Pan Demons' Band: this 50 minute piece proceeds in continuous one minute increments, each detailing different combinations of one to five players, chosen from a group of 13 improvising musicians. In some sections of the piece, the addition and subtraction of players from the ensemble is gradual, while others feature complete changes of personnel (sometimes cutting the ensemble from five to one). No other parameters are specified on the score. This approach enabled a balance of continuity and contrast, creating a narrative in which uncontrolled pandemonium never lasts too long, while surprisingly sustained periods of evolution also resulted from an almost telepathic sense of cooperation from one combination to the next.
As well as alluding to the historical name for Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), the word ‘demon’ conjures images of an evil, devilish spirit, while ‘pandemonium’ is a common term for utter chaos and noisy disorder. However, Britannica online clarifies the ancient Greek origin of the word daimōn, as referring to a spirit or supernatural being. So in this context, ‘pandemonium' means ‘every spirit’. Pan Demons’ Band represents a performance forum where every spirit is heard. The five-player active ensemble limit was designed to minimise the potential for actual pandemonium among thirteen performers negotiating music of minimal specificity.
As part of my Creative Practice PhD, I wanted to document my musical relationships with a group of these spirits —my special friends—built up over many years. Many of these extraordinary musicians also share histories in a variety of past and present iconic Australian bands, including Ten Part Invention, The Catholics, Clarion Fracture Zone, The Greasy Chicken Orchestra, Bungarribee, SNAP, MARA!, Microfiche, Scattered, and the Andrew Robson Trio. I curated the evolving groups of Pan Demons' Band in a way which references several of these bands, while allowing for some novel 'blind date' groupings. The opportunity to make this project happen was presented by the extraordinary community organisation Johnston Street Jazz (now Eight O'Clock Sharp). Two renditions of Pan Demons' Band were performed and recorded on 10 October 2024 for JSJ by Peter McCracken, and later mixed by Oliver Miller. Each 50 minute performance felt engaging and their contrasting character led to the decision to release them both.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to develop this work as part of my creative practice research, with the support of an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.
Album uploaded by Paul Cutlan
