I’m incredibly saddened to learn that Charlie Cooper, half of Telefon Tel Aviv, has died at age 31. His death on January 22 was revealed by Josh Eustis on the Telefon Tel Aviv MySpace page.

We have been so fortunate to tour the world together, while at the same time having a massive amount of laughs at one another’s expense.

Aside from Charlie’s singular genius and musical gifts, I can tell you that he was a total sweetheart of a guy, and a loving friend and confidant to people everywhere. His musicianship was surpassed only by his greater gift to the world – his warmth, his generosity, his unquenchable humor, and his undying loyalty to those whom he loved. In the spirit of honorable mention, however, I should mention that he had a shoe collection that was marvelous, knowledge of hip-hop that was profound, and knowledge of wine that was subtle.

He is survived by a sister, a neice, a nephew, his mother, his stepfather, me, and more adoring friends than the Universe has dark matter. As such, his family and I ask for your discretion and consideration of our privacy during these extremely turbulent waters.

Reflections on the news from CDM contributor Liz McLean Knight:

Fairenheit Far Away: Charlie Cooper of Telefon Tel Aviv will be missed [Liz Revision]

I certainly wish to respect the privacy of his family and friends, but I suspect that his musical celebrity is such that some of the details of this tragedy may inevitably become public. XLR8R.com points to a CBS Chicago report that he went missing last Wednesday night; an autopsy is scheduled.

RIP Telefon Tel Aviv’s Charlie Cooper [XLR8R.com]

Elsewhere:

Our friend Charlie Cooper from Telefon Tel Aviv has passed away. An unstable time caused by concrete facts and when it is decided that things have settled – it is we who have changed.

A Friend Passes [TRASH_AUDIO]

My heartfelt condolences to Charlie’s family and friends. The musical world will miss one of its great innovators and creative spirits.

I’d certainly welcome thoughts and memories from readers and ways in which we can honor his memory. Feel free to leave ideas in comments.

I’m Chicago-bound this week, and really excited about the events I’m part of, in case you’re in the area:

Wednesday – Re:vivify audiovisual social: Eco-conscious setting and cocktails, all live audiovisual sets. I don’t know these folks, but looking forward to meeting them! “Alexander Bassett going away party, plus live sets by Release, Lokua, Radius, Unkle Garo, with Glen Stephani visuals, Nikki Magdalena readings, Zac Franzoni painting + more.” Expect to spot CDM’s Mike Una making a cameo. I’ll be doing a full live audiovisual set. And Moment Sound, the powerful musical collective, will be showcasing.

Wed., 9p-2a, Grand Blue Line Stop (722 W. Grand Ave. Chicago, Butterfly Social Club)

[ Re:vivify @ Psymbolic + rsvp | going.com ]

Thursday – Andy Vaz meets CDM’s Peter and Liz at Ramp Chicago: The legendary Andy Vaz, the man largely credited with spearheading minimal techno, meets CDM’s own Liz Revision, largely credited with spearheading amazing parties in Chicago, meets me, largely credited with spearheading CDM and distracting you with shiny gadgets in time you should be spearheading some new musical movement. I’m obscenely excited for this one. Eat your heart out, Berlin. And it’s free. I’d say, hey, if you’re in Rockford, Milwaukee, Gary, Indiana, perhaps even Madison or Champaign-Urbana, change those Thursday night plans and come toast with us!

Thurs. 9p-2a, Damen Blue Line stop (1575 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Debonair Social Club)

[ going.com | facebook | rampchicago.com ]

Flyers and more details …

CDM contributor, mic flag fabricator, beat bicyclist, and sound artist extraordinaire Michael Una has been up to more sonic magic-making in Chicago. He showed two recent creations at MGFest 2008 — that’s MG as in “Motion Graphics”, not, sadly, the car, though I think sound art would also go deliciously with MG automobiles.

On display in Chi-town: giant pods to fill rooms with sound, and a man in a sound-induced, hypnotic blizzard of milk. (Yes, they have winter in northern Illinois.)

Snowy Day at MGFest 2008 from Michael Una on Vimeo.

Octophonopod at MGFest 2008 from Michael Una on Vimeo.

Behind-the-scenes commentary is available on Mike’s site, not to be confused with the domain-squatting personals site that you get if you leave out the hyphen. (Will, someday, an entire romantic community be devoted to Una Love? I wouldn’t rule it out.)

One lesson learned: milk can be incompatible with electronics.

Any CDM readers who live in Chicago should check this out- it’s a weeklong festival exploring/celebrating sound design, motion graphics, and the overlapping regions occupied by both.

In addition to the week’s worth of discussions and skillsharing classes, there will be two “showcase” nights, Saturday Jan. 19th and Sunday Jan. 20th. For those interested, I will be exhibiting two audiosculptural pieces, Octophonopod and Snowy Day during the event on Saturday. There’s a riduculous amount of talent on both nights, amounting to some of the most fresh and innovative people working in sound and motion graphics today.

[- Michael Una]

CDM contributors Liz McLean-Knight and Michael Una will be presenting at Dorkbot Chicago this month, which falls on Wednesday, November 28th.
As always, it will take place at the excellent Deadtech, 3321 W. Fullerton Ave. in Chicago.

Here’s what you’ll see:

A self-proclaimed “multi-hyphenate,” Liz McLean Knight–the sole woman behind Quantazelle–is thoroughly immersed in technology, fashion, music, and the often-surprising overlaps between. She will be demonstrating and discussing the art of “micro-sampling” and other swell digital music production techniques. Once she gets going, this whole thing might turn into a dance party.

Michael Una, an audiovisual artist whose work “investigates how vibrating waves of energy and human consciousness interact” will present simple-but-effective techniques for controlling audio software and hardware with inexpensive, commonly found devices like QWERTY Keyboards, video game joysticks, and bicycles.

In addition to the knowledge we’ll be droppin’, beer and pizza will be served. W3rd.