Guidance Counselor
Bill Crowley /// Portland
Armed with dream catchers, a microphone, keyboard and (if you’re lucky) a guitar, Guidance Counselor is a convulsing dancing shaman. Never boring or running out of ideas Guidance Counselor is first a performer, second a musician. In this time of laptops and ipod dj’s, witnessing a Guidance Counselor show let’s the performance become exciting through the spontaneity missing with perfect beats and seamless mixes. In endless bouts of new projects he is conceiving new ways to communicate and express himself.
The Dream Catcher Tape® - A cassette tape recording of a month’s dreams. Every morning, first thing he would turn on his tape recorder and start talking. What came out, was recorded. A free associating recap that would wind backward in recalling the dreams while the dream itself would be running forward with time. Confusing and amusing ramblings.
Chanting his lyrics while caught up in his electronic music his show comes across like an intense sermon. Snappy electric beats and primitive keyboard are the trademark of Guidance Counselor. Apt considering his Native American imagery. Playing constantly he has his show down, but never letting himself become predictable, he now incorporates an electric guitar. Adding choppy riffs he is going in the direction that Starfucker is going. A fusion of electronic with the tangible analog.
Moving closer to total live instrumentation, he is adding a live drummer to add another layer of complexity and energy. In addition to a great show he usually has a fun time. As I’m publishing this I’m listening to his appearance on KPSU’s Live Friday. His growling voice is relaying his dream tapes while he jams and gets noise-y with some others in the studio for a jam freak out.
