About This Archive

This collection of recordings represents the fragmentary and incomplete audio archives of the Triskaidekaphobia (aka TKDF) radio program. The programs were originally broadcast on WXDU-FM college radio at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina between 1996-1999.

In opposition to straightforward music programming, TKDF was conceived as a weekly series of "audio collage" works. Inspired by diverse sources—sound art of the Dada, Futurism, and Fluxus movements; the audio pranks of Negativland/Over the Edge and the Church of the Subgenius; psychological horror movie soundtracks; avant-garde musical terrorism; old time radio theater; mixing and scratching techniques of turntablist DJs; and countless oddball thrift store records—the show was intended to confuse, amuse, and entertain radio listeners by layering, con-fusing, and colliding disparate sounds to form unusual and dynamic juxtapositions and mixes.

TKDF programs were largely improvised, sometimes around pre-arranged, loosely-defined topical themes (Space, The Beatles, Love, Rain, Christmas). A few shows were scored and performed under conceptual instructions (Ouija Shows 1 and 2, Oblique Strategies, 10 Minute Bursts). Overall, all shows were performed live using assorted vinyl records, CDs, cassette tapes, reel-to-reel tapes and tape loops, MiniDiscs, computer audio, and live performance in an improvisational manner.

Ian (Frederick-)Rothwell was the founder and primary instigator of the TKDF program. He participated in several radio programs at WALF-FM at Alfred University in a similar improvisational vein during his undergraduate years, but TKDF was a more controlled and personal project which emphasized layered sounds and long-scale dynamic forms. Crucial participants in the majority of extant recorded shows were Lisa Linn and Jason Sullivan. Others confirmed to have taken part in various shows include Dave Conner, Jeff Stern, Jim Haverkamp, Joyce Ventmiglia, Craig Rothwell, Russ Birch, Cooper B., Andrew Cole, and Steve McClure.

RIYL: Negativland, Nurse With Wound, People Like Us, Halfer Trio, rhizome.org, Christian Marclay, Pierre Schaeffer, John Oswald, Evolution Control Committee, Tape-beatles, Danger Mouse, Merzbow, The Residents.