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Hidden Number catalyzes your preferential moments of confusion into a layered
aesthetic of audio. Their dense texture of experimental electronics and
multi-layered vocals draw from the rock genre, while seamlessly fusing
dissonance with harmony, electronica with surf, and film music with ambience in
correspondence to the esoteric mysteries of internal and external paradigms. The
Seattle based five-piece collective creates works influenced by a logical system
whose original inception eludes even the band participants themselves.
After collaborating for over two years, the current configuration of Hidden
Number has recorded, and is recording, a full-length CD in founding
member/engineer/producer Dean Swanson's studio facility Magnets Large & Small.
The topological proximity to studio technology has granted the band the ability
to tirelessly experiment and tediously craft their music, using the studio as a
prosthetic instrument for their innovative narrative. Collectively, Hidden
Number currently exhibits their live music in Seattle venues, having
strategically dualized their studio and stage compositions. In addition to live
guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and synthesizer media, they utilize computer-based
samplers to perform the physical embodiment of careful studio experimentation.
The three founding members of Hidden Number--Dean Swanson, Joseph Stuhff, and
Shawn Diaz--initially assembled in Las Vegas. Joe and Shawn collaborated in
3lbs, a cyclically gigging Vegas punk/metal/funk rock band. Further designation
as trio was achieved through Deans recording of the first 3lbs demo. Upon
momentum achieved through Swanson's five day lemon water fast, the three
proceeded to discover an uncertainly originated logical system, on an expedition
through the surrounding sandy deserts of Las Vegas. This pivotal and
transformative event prompted the trio to form the first incarnation of Hidden
Number, which became the initial impetus for studies based on their surprising
discoveries. Faced with unopened ears and closed minds, and with intuition that
more pieces of the puzzle remained unfound, the three disbanded with the
understanding that research would continue in Seattle. It was there that Swanson
founded the Magnets Large & Small studio headquarters.
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Meanwhile, Kai studied Mathematics at Southern Oregon University and played
drums in a number of local bands--Smidgen, Mono e Mono, Heroin{e} Martyr
Coalition, Boba's Feet, Hamster Basket, and A Million Fingers. Upon graduation,
he translocated to Silicon Valley for further studies relating to puzzling
observations in the sub-fields of chaos theory and strange attractors. This work
eventually directed Kai to relocated operations to Seattle where a mutual
acquaintance, and avid collector of the arcane, introduced him to Dean, Joe, and
Shawn with the expectation that both parties could reconcile their hitherto
unresolved patterns of inquiry. Upon syncretism of both overlapping and discrete
observations, the expanded group subconsciously summoned long time confidante
and childhood Vegas companion, Richie Weisner, who on a whim arrived in Seattle
after a sequence of long, vague journeys in the northern Nevadan mountains. He
promptly disappeared, and his identity was replaced with Josh Anderson.
Climactically, this event marked the appearance of the second incarnation of
Hidden Number in parallel form as an outlet and focus for studies, while
providing the benefit of continued funding.
Hidden Number members bring diverse strengths and abilities to the collective
whole. Dean Swanson, on guitar, synthesizers, samples, vocals, is a freelance
recording engineer and proprietor of Magnets Large & Small--a recording studio,
independent record label, and research facility. Shawn Diaz, on guitar and
vocals, while competent on multiple instruments, was previously lead vocalist
for a number of bands, and is currently visual artist/graphic designer and
co-owner of Olivodoce Art Space. Joseph Stuhff, on bass and backing vocals, has
performed in numerous Las Vegas bands, is a Hip-Hop artist for Beatmasters
Guild, and provides a solid backbone for the bands music. Kai Strandskov,
trained in mathematics and jazz drumming, embodies all acoustic/electronic drums
and percussion, while providing backing live vocals. Rich Weisner, on keyboards
and samples, is currently working as hip-hop producer and founder of Beatmasters
Guild, a record label focused on creative Hip-Hop and electronic beats for hire.
Hidden Numbers full-length release, Burn Alive, is scheduled for release in
Spring of 2007 on Magnets Large & Small. The band has extensive local and area
gigging plans and West Coast tour, in support of their first release. The band
members continue developing their musical dialectic, recording new material,
working with numerous side projects and collaborators, continuing as
participants and supporters of the local independent Seattle arts scene, and
continually revising their exegesis through thoughtful study and peer review. ~
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