PLATO & the Western Tradition

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PLATO & the Western Tradition is a Postmodern Improvisation Ensemble that has been recording real-time improvisations using electronic and acoustic instruments since 1988. The founders and core members are David K. Barton of South Bend, Indiana, and Boyd Nutting of Niles, Michigan. As of December 4, 2016, we have recorded 4,054 improvisations, and would like to share our music. PLATO & The Western Tradition invites others in the Electronic Music Community to participate in the creation of an on-line compilation called “Weaving Indra’s Net”. Here are the “rules”:1. Download from http://www.soun...

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PLATO & the Western Tradition

Episodes

PLATO No. 11103 Regular Irregularity 11.06.2026 13:00

New Music by David K. Barton, recorded June 10, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 0113, “Peloria” (David, Boyd Nutting, Evie Barton, & Phil Ray 1-29-89) 13:03-26:03, 17:30-30:30.

PLATO No. 11102 Risky Opening 10.06.2026 13:00

New Music by David K. Barton, recorded June 9, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1201a, “The Hierophant, part 1” (David, Boyd Nutting, Scott Hatt, & Tom Mondschein, Arcanum Va, 12-30-02) 00:05-13:05, 19:32-32:32.

PLATO No. 11101 Antique Melodies 09.06.2026 13:06

Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded June 8, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths+Sequence ’16 Scraps’+LAURA; PLATO, No. 0111 “Dead People’s Music” (David, Boyd, & Phil Ray 1-22-89) 00:02–13:08. Boyd: Electronics—›Processors; PLATO, No. 10101, “Day of the Dead” (David, solo, 11-1-23).

PLATO No. 11100 Crackling Jubilation 09.06.2026 12:54

Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded June 8, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths+Accordion Reeds; PLATO, No. 1010, “Harding's Reels & Jigs No. 30” (David, Boyd, & Scott Hatt, with David Harding, viola 7-2-99) 27:31-40:31. Boyd: Electronics—›Processors; PLATO, No. 1001a, “CONCRETE Elipsoidal Alchemy” (Boyd & Andrew Lersten, Michiana Improvisational Mus...

PLATO No. 11099 Abolishing Language 09.06.2026 13:00

Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded June 8, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 2179, “Pardis Rimonim”, (David & Boyd 6-8-11) 00:05-13:05. Boyd: Electronics—›Processors; PLATO, No. 4458, “Original Sin” (David & Boyd 6-8-17) 00:00-13:00.

PLATO No. 11098 Expressive Submission 09.06.2026 13:00

Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded June 8, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths+Accordion Reeds; PLATO, No. 1981, “Nexus of Grace” (David & Boyd 6-30-10) 19:44-32:44. Boyd: Electronics—›Processors; PLATO, No. 1980, “Temporal Nexus” (David & Boyd 6-30-10) 00:00-13:00, 12:00-25:00.

PLATO No. 11097 Phantom Chances 09.06.2026 13:00

Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded June 8, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 1971, “Postmodern Saloon Music” (David & Boyd 6-9-10) 00:07-13:07. Boyd: Electronics—›Processors; PLATO, No. 1790, “In the Dream City” (David & Boyd 8-5-09) 00:00-13:00, 15:00-28:00.

PLATO No. 11096 Sky Omens 09.06.2026 13:00

Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded June 8, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: PLATO, No. 1961, “The Cathedral of Remembrance” (David, solo, Michiana Improvisational Music Festival XX, No. 19, 5-23-10) 00:11-13:11. Boyd: Electronics—›Processors; PLATO, No. 1916, “Walking the Moon-paths” (David & Boyd 4-8-10) 00:00-13:00, 15:00-28:00.

PLATO No. 11095 Creating Weather 08.06.2026 13:00

New Music by David K. Barton, recorded June 7, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1590b, “Storm Masons, part 2” (David, & Boyd Nutting 11-20-07) 13:04- 26:04, 23:30-36:30.

PLATO No. 11094 Divine Attribute 08.06.2026 13:00

New Music by David K. Barton, recorded June 6, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1490, “The Odin Stone” (David, & Boyd Nutting 10-3-06) 07:15-20:15, 20:15- 33:15.

PLATO No. 11093 Commonplace Routines 08.06.2026 13:00

New Music by David K. Barton, recorded June 5, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1390a, “The Ordinary Way, part 1” (David, & Boyd Nutting 9-11-05) 00:04- 13:04, 13:04-26:04.

PLATO No. 11092 Enabling the Apocalypse 05.06.2026 13:00

New Music by David K. Barton, recorded June 4, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1912, “Channeling the Void Beings” (David, & Boyd Nutting 3-31-10) 00:03-13:03, 18:10- 31:10.

PLATO No. 11091 Barbie & Ken 04.06.2026 13:00

New Music by David K. Barton, recorded June 3, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1190a, “Unnatural Beauty, part 1” (David, & Boyd Nutting 9-20-02) 00:04-13:04, 15:10-28:10.

PLATO No. 11090 Eyeing Time 03.06.2026 13:00

New Music by David K. Barton, recorded June 2, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1090a, “Tricephalic Eagle ,part 1” (David, & ‘Vid Grande, Laboratorium IX. 12-17-00) 00:03- 13:03, 13:03-25:19 Tr -1.

PLATO No. 11089 Unfolding Flowers of Time 02.06.2026 13:10

Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded June 1, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: PLATO, No. 1168b. “PLATO & The BopAnts” (David, Boyd, Katt Hernandez, Jon Voight, Marc Brisson, & Walter Wright, Michiana Improvisational Music Festival XII, No. 8b, 6-1-02) 00:01-13:00. Boyd: SEERGE+VCV Rack; PLATO, No. 1890, “Hidden Deities Beckoning” (David & Boyd 6-30-10) 13:00- 2...

PLATO No. 11088 Disembodied Spaces 02.06.2026 12:50

Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded June 1, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 1168a. “The BopAnts” (Katt Hernandez, Jon Voight, Marc Brisson, & Walter Wright Michiana Improvisational Music Festival XII, No. 8b, 6-1-02) 00:01-13:00. Boyd: SEERGE—›VCV Sampler; PLATO, No. 1881, “…in omnem terram” (David & Boyd 2-3-10) 00:00-13:00,08:00-21:...

PLATO No. 11087 Abyss of Transience 02.06.2026 13:00

Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded June 1, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Voice+Accordion Reeds; PLATO, No. 1167. “Georgian Soul Music” (David, Boyd, Andrew Lersten, ‘Vid Grande, Scott Hatt, John Richez, Mike Hoover, Keith Meire, Kyle Paulk Tim Backer, Katt Hernandez, Jon Voight, Marc Brisson, Walter Wright, & Dato Machavariani, Michiana Improvisational Mus...

PLATO No. 11086 Maelstrom of Mysteries 02.06.2026 13:00

Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded June 1, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Melodeon; PLATO, No. 1166. “Spurious Divinity” (David, Boyd, Andrew Lersten, ‘Vid Grande, Scott Hatt, John Richez, Mike Hoover, Keith Meire, Kyle Paulk & Marc Brisson, Michiana Improvisational Music Festival XII, No. 6, 6-1-02) 00:04-13:04. Boyd: SERGE+VCV Rack; PLATO, No. 1068, “Clos...

PLATO No. 11085 Unacknowledged Potential 02.06.2026 13:00

Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded June 1, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 1165. “Soaring Rhetoric” (David, ‘Vid Grande, Scott Hatt, John Richez, Mike Hoover, & Keith Meire, Michiana Improvisational Music Festival XII, No. 5, 6-1-02) 05:17-18:17. Boyd: SERGE+ VCV Rack; PLATO, No. 9085, “Stirring the Particles of the Universe” (David...

PLATO No. 11084 Incommensurate Expressions 02.06.2026 13:00

Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded June 1, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 1164. “Confounded Wisdom” (David, ‘Vid Grande, Scott Hatt, John Richez, & Mike Hoover, Michiana Improvisational Music Festival XII, No. 4, 6-1-02) 00:09-13:09. Boyd: SERGE+VCV Rack; PLATO, No. 1048, “MM Music” (David & Boyd 1-1-00)13:00-26:00, 39:00-52:00.

PLATO No. 11083 Spiritual Road Trip 01.06.2026 13:00

New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 31, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1380, “Transcendental Journey, part 1” (David, solo, Michiana Improvisational Music Festival XV, No. 4, 6-4-05) 00:02-13:02, 27:16-40:16.

PLATO No. 11082 Seeing Within 31.05.2026 13:00

New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 30, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1812, “Subliminal Horizon” (David, & Boyd Nutting 9-30-09) 00:05-13:05, 13:05-26:05.

PLATO No. 11081 Foundation 30.05.2026 13:00

New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 29, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1081, “Plinth: The Earth upon which the Work is Founded” (David, Boyd Nutting, ‘Vid Grande, Evie Barton, & Scott Hatt, Laboratorium III, 9-16-00) 13:02-26:02, 14:52-27:52.

PLATO No. 11080 Ancient Beginning 29.05.2026 13:00

New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 28, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1080, “Introit” (David, Boyd Nutting, & ‘Vid Grande 9-15-00) 13:08-26:08, 21:01-34:01.

PLATO No. 11079 Invoking the World-Spirit 28.05.2026 13:00

New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 27, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1079, “Spiritus Mundi” (David, & ‘Vid Grande 9-15-00) 00:05-13:05, 21:16- 34:15.