Bäitoník Configuration balances science, music

As a neuroscientist and musician, graduate student Francisco J. Parada doesn’t write lyrics about neurons and synapses.

Nevertheless, he said science has influenced his band’s music, which fans have dubbed “experimental post-rock.”

“I felt comfortable with the term ‘experimental,’” Parada said. “Since I’m a scientist, I experiment all day.”

His band, Bäitoník Configuration, will perform at 9 p.m. Wednesday at The Bishop with local post-rock band Clouds as Oceans. Admission is $4.

Parada is from Santiago, Chile, where he first studied music. He said he wanted to play flute for an orchestra.

However, even when Parada switched his aspirations to neuroscience, he never stopped playing music, he said.

He has written a musical piece called “Lied Notturna” that spanned 45 to 50 minutes and made use of instruments such as double bass and cello.

“It was like a little chamber music band with a drummer,” Parada said.
At the time, his then-band would play the nonstop, nearly one-hour piece.

“Then science brought me to the United States,” Parada said.

While pursuing his Ph.D., Parada formed his most recent band, Bäitoník Configuration, with developmental psychologists and other musicians.     
“Music is like living a double life,” Parada said.

With his work as a scientist, it can be difficult to find time for music, he said. He writes at night when he has time, and the band rehearses once or twice a week with as many members as can come together.

“We are a new band trying to have fun and create a really nice, quality musical product,” Parada said.

Fellow Bäitoník Configuration member Stephen Harms is a full-time musician who appreciates the dynamic of playing with scientists.

“A lot of my music is informed by psychological concepts,” Harms said.
He said he enjoys talking about these concepts with Parada and psychologist Viridiana Benitez, who is also in the band.

Even so, Parada said the band works well with the little time members have. They hope to have their debut album out sometime in 2012.

For Harms, the band’s music has an interesting dynamic and plays with contrast.

“They’re kind of longer form compositions, elaborately structured and elaborately conceived,” Harms said. “It’s very structured, along with the more free, improv sections.”

Parada has seen local post-rock band Clouds as Oceans before and said he is glad to perform with them.

“They sound really cool,” Parada said. “I’m looking forward to (the concert).”
At Wednesday’s performance, Bäitoník Configuration will play the first piece Parada wrote in the United States.

Parada said the piece reflects the changes he’s gone through as someone who’s come to a new country and has a new life.

“This concert marks the end of an era for our band,” he said, as it will be a farewell event for one member, Lisa Cantrell, who is leaving. “But it is also a start of a new wave of composition.”