The Atlanta Sessions are a series of five collaborations between Atlanta musicians, Klimchak, Scott Burland, Frank Schultz, Duo for Theremin and Lap Steel, Kevin Haller, Barbara Vesey Johnson and Indianapolis based dRachEmUsiK.
The recordings took place in 2012 between November 9th and November 18th in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Sessions Vol. 1
Immerse yourself in this whimsical, disturbing, soothing, raucous, ethereal universe of organic, alien soundscapes.

Percussionist, composer Klimchak joins forces with dRachEmUsik to bring you The Atlanta Sessions Vol. 1. The four improvisations in this dynamic release are comprised of two abstract modern pieces, alpha wave drone and a pulsing drum kit based tribal romp.
The multiple textures and timbres were created using analog and digital synthesis, processing, loopers and voice along with a multitude of percussion instruments including flutes, didgeridoo, bowed cymbals & gongs, toys, bird calls and kitchenware.

Klimchak and dRachEmUsiK (Charles Shriner) first met at the electro-music festival in 2009. Since then they have been collaborating whenever possible including stints on Shriners long-running streaming music show, Music From Last Thursday & the City Skies festival in Atlanta.

For most of their past collaborations, they have taken a traditional approach where both play various synths, including Charles's EWI & Klimchak's Don Buchla Marimba Lumina. For this project they found a different path.

Klimchak decided to play only acoustic instruments. Charles played only electronics. The interesting angle is that Shriner used Klimchak's sounds as the basis of his improvisations. He set up a series of custom processing patches & manipulated Klimchak's playing in real time. This new set of processed sounds was streamed back into the room for Klimchak to react to. The give & take functioned like a hall of mirrors with Klimchak's solos played, reprocessed, results played to then reprocessed again. etc.

Klimchak's improvisations are heavily rooted in juxtaposition and surprise. An Indian tabla rhythm will be played alongside an Indonesian flute melody. The two will end with the addition of a struck pan lid dipped into water, along with a bunch of tuvan throat singing. A notable part of this type of playful improv is a healthy dose of humor. Klimchak wants his audience to laugh & experience joy that he feels as part of the music making.