Mr. Haircut is a production company operated by John Daniel Ray, progressive jazz bassist and producer. Projects include Vintage Astronaut, Floraphonics, Noobious, Play Date, Posture, RKIII, and Mr. Haircut, the Podcast.
whale whale whale - Let’s Sea
Flying through the hydrosphere at sub-sonic altitudes, a small pod of humans join together their oceanic electronic voices and sing. They’ve brought with them all of their joy, creativity, synthesizers, upright basses, and concern for their fellow ocean inhabitants, mammal and otherwise. These ambient, watery sounds were improvised in front of a live audience, using acoustic and electronic instruments, and new instruments created using sounds from actual whales.
New Single // Tree Moss by a Snowy Mountain River
Driving through the North Carolina mountains on the way to a gig, I took some time to hike up to a waterfall just after 5 inches of fresh snow had fallen. I sat for a while at the bottom of the waterfall, listening to the white noise of the rushing water and noticing how many different sounds emerge the longer you pay attention to it. Everything was covered in snow, even the little mosses and lichens on the poplar tree beside me. I decided I wanted to hear what the moss sounded like, freezing there in the wet 20° weather, so I set up my laptop and a PlantWave and recorded it.
The recording I take home on my laptop is very raw, I don't know what the piece will sound like until I get home and start building sounds for the plant to play. This tracks features the moss playing 3 different synthesizers, two samplers playing harmonies I've added to the plant's notes, and the recording of the waterfall I was sitting next to.
Star Truk - The Trukening
Don your safety equipment and hop in the Star Truk for the newest adventure, the Trukening. Meet Kraken, fly on a submarine and many many more! This is a supergroup featuring Jovan Chronos on drums, Michael Kinchen on synth(s), and John Daniel Ray on computer and bass.
Floraphonics - new album of plant music
Just released my first album of plant music! I spent the last two years carrying my Plantwave everywhere I’ve traveled, learning how to make music with plants. I’ve started a project called Floraphonics to share some of that work. This first album is all houseplants (and one sequoia tree). You can stream or purchase the album from my website 🌳🌿🌱🪴
Play Date - Birthday Party: Vintage Micro Truk
Play date is a duo collaboration featuring world-famous, six-time All Star champion drummer Chaisaray Schenck (Us the Duo, Noobious, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Cody Wright, Melissa Reaves), and regional-semi-famous bass player and computer guy John Daniel Ray (Mr. Haircut).
On their second release, they invited a couple of friends to John’s birthday party. Michael Kinchen and Kevin Beck came over and brought some toys to play with.
Vintage Astronaut - Now It’s the Future
Vintage Astronaut’s latest release is a 4-part album that was improvised during a week-long residency in Winston-Salem, NC. The album features amazing drumming from Jonathan Greene, a Mr. Haircut Signature artist, and the bass playing of John Daniel Ray, heroic captain of the ensemble.
Posture
Posture is a new project from virtuoso pianist and composer Michael Anderson. Joined by vocalist Tori Elliot from Victoria Victoria, Michael has enlisted the rhythm section from Noobious, Chaisaray and John Daniel Ray, to begin an entirely new musical venture that explores a much different compositional space than Michael’s other recent projects. The full Posture album is out now on all streaming platforms or for purchase here.
-video by the inimitable Stillframe Storytelling
Noobious Live Concert
Want to hear some riveting video game and soundtrack music? Noobious is being featured in the Ramkat's "Home Sweet Home" series. Concert premieres live Sunday, August 16th at 9pm.
Just when you thought you were safe, Mr. Haircut comes out with a brand new episode that will redefine the way you eat sandwiches