The Ropes: Session 1= October, Session 2= November, Session 3= December,
Session 4= January.
At the end of each month, you'll send the the tape to me and I will randomly
select and send a tape to you, ensuring it is one that you have not had yet.
By the end of the project, everyone will have had the chance to work with
each of the 4 tapes. Crazy.

That's how we'll do it. Then, in February, I'll work to fuse our creations.

Q: How will I know when to return my tape & where to send it, etc?
A: That's a good question. As keeper of the monkeyhouse, I will be in touch
with you, as I will be from time to time throughout the course of the
project, and through these correspondence I will cue you on certain actions
to take to move the project along. For example, in late October I will write
or call to give you instructions on when and where to send your tape.

Now, on the subject of tape: 1) make sure your 4-track records in real time.
How do you know if it records in real time: Put in any standard cassette
tape(that old Ratt tape, for instance) and press play and listen. If
everything sounds normal, you're set. If everything sounds like its at
double speed, then you're ready for the chipmunk house project, but not the
monkeyhouse project. 'Normal speed!' cried the monkey.
2) Your master tape should be a 60 minute high-bias cassette. (= 30 minutes
of 4-track record time)
3) I say 'master tape' because you are not committed to recording onto just
one tape. You might record your ideas onto several blank tapes and then at
the end of the month mix down those ideas to your master tape; it is up to
you, that is just one idea, do it however you'd like.
4) Things to keep in mind with the master tape: 3 other people will have
the opportunity to record onto your master tape. To keep your ideas somewhat
intact, you may want to keep your stuff on just one track to free up the
other 3, or maybe just say the hell with it and record onto all 4 and let
the other monkeys do as they will with it- again, it is up to you.
5) Each participant will label their master tape with a designated code:
( Your master tape code is: )

6) The Substance: I don't want to say too much that might contaminate your
creative thinking toward this experiment, so remember that's just what it
is, an experiment. And a learning experience. Don't get hung-up on details
or a need for perfection; this is more about the process of experimentation
than the consequences of it. Invite a friend to play a part. or do it solo.
You are bounded only by your imagination and that string of tape. You don't
have to fill the tape. Or, fill it if you'd like. Do what you will do. Don't
get too attached to an idea, someone could record over it (accidentally or
otherwise and then what? A broken heart?) And conversely, don't jump off a
bridge when you realize you just destroyed something really cool that one of
your monkeycommrades recorded, instead, as atonement, use the disgusted
emotion as fuel for your next idea.
7) If you'd like, include a production flow sheet of your work and forward
it with the tape. What I mean is that maybe you'll want to write down on
paper a commentary on the tape: track listing, notes that might come in
handy for the next person, ar anything else- or skip it, again it's up to
you.
That is all for now my monkeyfriends. Please feel free to contact me
with any questions, technical or otherwise- I'll be glad to help you in any
way I can. I look forward to, ahem, hearing from you all soon.
Take care,
Roger

*** be sure to label your tape with its code***
I'd like to stick as close to the monthly time-frame as possible, we'll mark
each month by the approximate date you receive the new tapes. Some things to
keep in mind as you wrap things up:
*important: Make a copy of your tape if you want to preserve your work.
Once it's out of your hands, there's no guarantee you'll ever hear it that
way again.
* if you have any questions on preparing your tape, feel free to contact me:
xxx-xxx-xxxx
* Consider including a written log of your tape with any explanations you
think will be helpful to the others as the tape is passed along.
* I'm guessing that it will be a challenge to record tracks as the tapes are
passed and smaller bits of physical tape space become available on the
tapes, and within soundscapes,etc. I don't know what everyone else is doing
for their tapes, I plan to limit as much as I can to just one track on the
tape, however I think I will use 2 tracks (stereo) on some pieces and just
leave a note in the log to optionally record over either one of the tracks-
that kind of thing. At the same time I have no expectations as far as how
things will be treated etc...- it is truly up to each person how to develop
the tracks. Or NOT develop tracks, if you choose, etc...
*I'm trying to think of a way to say this that won't come off as bizarre,
but I think it's important for you to understand before we exchange tapes
that the Monkehouse is not a band, but a chaotic experiment, out of control,
not a democracy, but a banana republic. Keep expectations at bay, flow with
the moments, and play along with the mock (default) leadership of simon,
keeper of the monkeyhouse.

12th November 2002 - Hastings to All:
boys, how are ya? Well, by now everyone should have their "phase 2" tapes.
I'm delighted with the one i've got and eagerly anticipate hearing the
others as they come along- that's right, as tempting as it was to be hanging
out in the monkhouse central shipping dept. with all the tapes passing thru,
I resisted listening to any of the tapes (except, of course, the one
designated for mh? in phase 2. So, let's give it about a month and see what
happens...same basic rules: no rules...as you see fit with the tapes, the
process of creation as much as the result of it....so many options, though
maybe a couple fewer than in the first round...there are ways to fit
multiple parts onto 1 track if it's something you're interested in; probably
several ways, the most obvious being to record 2 parts at the same time
going on to one track through some kind of mixing device...also, you can
experiment with listening to the original track on one tape deck while
recording new parts on tradfks 1 &2 of a fresh tape in your 4 track, and
then bounce the new tracks from the new tape on a standard cassete player to
a blank track on the 4 track(hoping the decks are at the same approx.
speed)...there are probably a dozen different ways to achieve similar
things, and each one has its drawbacks...you, of course may just decide to
use an open track to put on a single part, or maybe you'll decide not to add
a part to piece or sections of the tape...whatever you do is fine; I bring
these up just as a couple examples of the many things you might try...well,
I'll be in touch through the month, perhaps with more plot details and
scripts for the project...hope you're Thanksgiving is a nice, relaxing family
affair with all the fixin's. Take care & have fun 4-trackin'!!!
Simondamonkeymanaga

7th March 2003 - Hastings to Renner:
Don, great! I'll let you know as soon as I have any more info on time and
location- somewhere in Fargo, any ideas? Myu place is so messed up right now
in the wake of our move, so I'm hoping for something else, maybe something
different, I don't know, basically a place to hang out and check out the
tapes, drink a brew, etc....anyway, I expect to know more by mid-next week
and I'll update you asap. Have a killer weekend!
Rog

11th March 2003 - Hastings to All:
Monks: It's on! Friday, the 28th of March is set for the tape get-together.
Here's what I have in mind: it would be nice to kick this thing off early in
the evening with a dinner out somewhere just to get acquainted, make small
talk, have a food-fight, and generally build suspense...as far as a time
goes, the earlier the better, like 5 or 6 pm. Then, a bit later- around 8 or
9 (some members may not be able to make it until later, so we'll play the
tapes only after everyone has arrived) we would meet somewhere- it's
undecided so far, but ideas are extremely welcome(my place is out as it's
such a friggin disaster area right now)- and hang out and listen to the
tapes. Please e-mail me as soon as possible on how early each of you could
meet with the rest of the group that Friday, with 5 PM being the goal, but
possibly moving to later depending on your responses.
Other details:
Okay, guess what? You're right/wrong: There ARE more than 4 members of
Monkeyhouse. More on that later, but for the purposes of keeping the tape
party simple and under control, if there are no objections, I would like
that only the 4 outpost characters / tape custodians: Monkeyhouse North, South, East, and West
be present for this event with no guests.
Equipment needed for the listening party:
A basic stereo with rca inputs.
Everyone bring their own 4-track for the playbacks and also all tapes
related to phase 4 of the project(i.e. original tapes & mixdown tapes if
you've made one) I'll collect the tapes at the end of the night to begin
editing for a record related to the project. More on this at the party.
If anyone wants, bring along a tape deck to record our mixes that
night for your own use. Be assured, I will work to get everyone cd's with
all the taped material on them as soon as possible after the party (a matter
of weeks) so you don't have to wait for a release to listen to the material
again.
By now, I have a feeling some of you have pretty good guesses on who
you've been collaborating with over the past months, I've tried to maintain
an element of mystery just for the fun of it...now, in the same vein, or
vain, i suppose , i have some party titles that have been scripted out since
well before the start of the project...a lot of the project has been
scripted out in advance, really, but anyway here are the dubs for characters
in the club:
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx
I welcome anyone who might be interested in posting a website about the
project/band "the truth behind monkeyhouse" "sordid secrets of Monkehouse"
"the monchyhouse scam" "blah blah blah" whatever, anyway, if anyone is
interested, I'll be glad to actually host the page under the 'bands' section
of the coach and 6 website, or link to it from there, just let me know and
i'll be glad to help with any angle on it.
I'm sure i'm missing something, so let me know of any ?'s you
have...otherwise get back to me with your time info, and i'll get back to
everyone with more details a.s.a.p.
Thanks,
Roger

9th July 2003 - Hastings to Remme:
Well, I cracked that PT manual and realized within about
15 minutes that there was no way i would be able to assimiate the info in
the time i've set to have the first m-house disc finished. So, i'm gonna
finish the first one- and prolly at least the 2nd one, too - in windows
using soundforge...in the meanwhile i'm gonna chip away at getting familiar
with the other--really excited about what things may come about on that...
Anyway, things are coming together for the first
record. Today I finished the art layouts for the project. Tomorrow I will
submit them for proofs for the screen-prints. The 3" cd's better fuc*in work
or my name is mud- i know that- but, they will, they will, dammit!!!
So, things are happenin'- AND- i'm putting together
some ideas in my head for our follow-up to the 4 track project.
Keep rockin' the skins, Bri.