FREDRIK NILSEN
LAFMS: The Los Angeles Free Music Society
The Los Angeles Free Music Society, or LAFMS, is an experimental art and sound collective that formally started in 1975 in the San Gabriel Valley. A loose pool of mainly improvising non-musicians who made music emphasizing effect over virtuosity came together as an early exponent of the DIY movement. The LAFMS developed systems of cooperative production, financing and distribution of performances, records and publications.
The Los Angeles Free Music Society, or LAFMS, is an experimental art and sound collective that formally started in 1975 in the San Gabriel Valley. A loose pool of mainly improvising non-musicians who made music emphasizing effect over virtuosity came together as an early exponent of the DIY movement. The LAFMS developed systems of cooperative production, financing and distribution of performances, records and publications.
The aesthetic is elastic and wanders from absurdly chaotic to sublimely beautiful and back again. The collective continues today performing, recording and exhibiting together locally and internationally. There have been music festivals in London, Ghent, and Los Angeles organized around the concept of the LAFMS and a major retrospective art and music exhibition at The Box gallery in Los Angeles.
Takuya Sakaguchi, archivist and representative of the LAFMS in Japan, wrote in his essay called The Miracle Society, “In 1977, Kenichi Takeda, a Japanese music critic and musician, described the LAFMS as ‘more shocking than punk’ in a record review in the Japanese publication Jazz Magazine. What is shocking about them is that they do not know what to be afraid of. They do not have the option of giving up on a challenge because of a lack of performance ability. They are free-minded people who never worship authority. Moreover, it is quite important that their music maintains a perfect balance. I can only be in awe of them.”
Founding members include Tom Recchion, Joe, Tom and Rick Potts, Chip Chapman, Ace Farren Ford, Dennis Duck (Mehaffey), Eric Stewart (aka JuSuk Reet Meate), Harold Schroeder, Juan Gomez, and Fredrik Nilsen, later joined by Vetza Trussell, Paul McCarthy, John Duncan, Kevin Laffey, Rock’n Roll Jackie Stewart (aka Oblivia), Mike Kelley, Joseph Hammer, Mitchell Brown, Elaine Carey and others. Associated ensembles include Le ForteFour, Doo-Dooettes, Ace & Duce, Smegma, Bpeople, Human Hands, Points of Friction, Solid Eye, Extended Organ, and Tenses, among countless other configurations.
FREDRIK NILSEN
Fredrik Nilsen is a photographer specializing in exhibition photography, photography of artworks, and portraiture. He works with major institutions, galleries and artists. He also maintains his own art practice and is a founding member of the DIY experimental art collective known as the Los Angeles Free Music Society (LAFMS), which has formally been active since 1975. He’s been a member of the Extended Organ since 1995 along with Paul McCarthy, Joe Potts, Tom Recchion, and Alex Stevens, as
well as Mike Kelley until his passing.
well as Mike Kelley until his passing.
Frederik Nilsen, LAFMS The Raymond Building 1976 (Rick Potts, Chip Chapman, Tom Recchion, Juan Gomez, Tom Potts (behind Juan), Fredrik Nilsen, Harold Schroeder, Dennis Duck (Mehaffey), Joe Potts (hands), 23.25" x 23.25" (Print Size), 25.5" x 25.5" (Framed), Piezo Pigment Print, $500