User:Divemasterjohn/Self-Medication

Self-Medication is the recording name of a Canadian electro-acoustic outfit comprised of John W. Duncan and Christopher Taylor. The band formed accidentally in the Spring of 2006 with several improptu performances and early works featured strongly on heavily processed guitars as well as effected vocals over looped drum beats and keyboards lines. Over time, the band focused more on the electronic side, paying more attention to beats, synthesizers, and samples, while still maintaining a presence of guitars.

John W. Duncan is trained in both classical and jazz for the bass, and has taught himself guitar, keyboards, and most of the instruments listed above. He performed in his younger years as bassists and vocalist for the punk rock outfit Morning Glory, and also performs solo work under his own name, dubbing it "dark acoustic performance art" in his interactive, occasionally confrontational performances.

Christopher Taylor is self-taught, and contributes beats, synths, and some guitar and bass in earlier works. Both members sing, though instrumental pieces are also frequent by the duo.

Instrumentation and Style
In addition to online synthesizers and samplers, a multitude of acoustic and digital instrumentation has been used by Self-Medication, including:


 * Asian ethnic instruments, such as the khaen, Akhan lachi, Thai wod, VietNamese đàn bầu
 * Melodica
 * Dulcimer
 * Vibraphone
 * Kalimba
 * Casio SK-1
 * Kaossilator
 * Electribe ESX-1

Self-Medication is also known for using numerous effects pedals in their works, often dynamically such that they could be considered 'instruments' and part of their song-creating process. The band's lyrics tend to be minimal and the vocals are often shrouded in effects processing.

Early recordings were offered for free on the internet, which is how Self-Medication gained initial recognition in the online music community. The band is currently finished several projects including their first official release, the Sph1nK EP, a collection of songs made mainly with digitally processed music from a Casio SK-1. They are also working on a collaboration with MC Rumblebasskin, providing guitars and some beat processing to the latter artist's brand of electronic hip-hop.

Discography

 * Tramadol (EP) (Dose Records, 2006)
 * Sph1nK (EP) (Independent, 2011, TBD)
 * Infringed Rights (EP), (Independent, 2011, TBD) -- as MC Rumblebasskin with Self-Medication