... I'd like to take this opportunity and ask you on your opinion on some of my own methods of making music and how I these days relate to the whole ideology of it myself. There has been a lot of talk about "real music" by "real musicians" for "real music lovers" over here at prince.org, and apparently there are a whole lot of individuals frequenting these pages who are very fond of the old, traditional, definitely more "genuine" way of producing and appreciating music. A way that emphasizes the love for the craft itself and is one that will tuly distinguish the talented and inspired artists from the rest of the crop. However my own ways might seem somewhat deviating from that ideal to some and I'd be interest to know your sentiments on such an approach. Here are some tidbits from my very own musical adventures of late - just tell me how you might feel about these few sporadic characterizations on how I myself relate to the activity of music production and feel free to comment on them somehow:

* I just finished a new track that I am considering for a release later this year. Altough I was quite happy with it I thought the piece could really benefit from a saxophone solo, so I sampled a thirty-second solo straight off an Ellery Eskelin record where there was a quiet solo section and just imposed it over my own concoction. I have no intention whatsoever to ask either the artist or his record company a permission to be able to use the sample in question.

* There are ten tracks on my upcoming release (just initially on my own label though), and on two of them I played an actual instrument. I played some chords on the keyboard for the slow cut of the record, and also for the second time reached over to the keyboard to alter the pitch of a Gregorian choir sample. I think the lads sang it really well.

* Yes, my main instrument is a Logitech PS/2 wheel mouse. I far prefer it's delicate touch and solid construction over Microsoft's similiar products.

* I am very fortunate to own a colletible Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, well worth over one-thousand US dollars, and which I just absolutely had to have to myself when I was younger. Now the damn thing hasn't been even tuned up at least in the last two years or so, and I only use it as a sort of a table if I want to eat on the bed sometimes.

* I mostly just press the "play" button on the CD player on my live gigs, and the rest of the time is spend occasionally twiddling some knobs on my Behringer mixer and drinking coke. Sometimes I might also shout in the microphone if I really wanna get into it, but that's already pushing it. I don't think my next gig is scheduled for any sooner than April though. At least I'll have time to practise.

* My last release has compositions that are all in five to nine minutes of length and all consist of just one single sustained note - how's that for profound thematic and compositional consistency? And don't even try to suggest that any substantial effort couldn't have possibly been involved in the making process of those pieces - it took almost two full days for the effect of all the weed I smoked to wear off so that I could finally concentrate on getting back to normal life.

* From time to time I make an occasional buck by working as a recording engineer in a small recording studio, where I also have to take i.e. mixing and vocal coaching duties when my boss doesn't feel like showing up (which is almost always when I am on the payroll). Quite often I find myself playing TETRIS or browsing the internet while the vocalist is in the booth and I have been commissioned to record him / her. I know the kids really expect someone more experienced to guide them through the process of making their very first professional recordings and I am myself very much commited on delivering the quality for the amount of money they are paying for.

Hey, I do take this music thing very seriously afterall.

I'd say you're probably good producer, perhaps. But not a musician. A composer perhaps, but not a musician.

You don't seem to love what you do to any great extent. Maybe I'm wrong with that impression. So many electronic artists seem so dispassionate and removed from what they do. I actually find it sad when there is a lot of talent around and people like you get the jobs real musicians should get if you want my honest opinion!

However, I think the work of a good decks wizard/producer/sequencer type can work wonders INTO a live act, just don't call it a live act on its own unless it's really interesting like Matmos. Like you said, you mostly put a CD on right and that's it?

I hope I'm not being too harsh here, because there is work some of you guys do which is great in its own field.

Understand I am not against hecknology in music, but it isn't music itself, of course. Am I stating the obvious again?

Sounds like a glorified DJ role, unless you're downplaying your skill... but in all honesty you're not a musician from this description. Certainly I classify what you do as "music" but it is not played by a musician, but created by a producer. The world of the tech soundscaper/producer is more aligned with engineering/sound design in my opinion... all due respect to your skills, but I'm not fond of a lot of you blokes infiltrating the charts because of your high production values alone. The "producer" is the new "DJ" who in turn was the new musician. But the muso/s will always get the crowd going better in the end! People just respond better to humans emoting and banging on real things and giving on the spot skill demonstrations more than pressing buttons on machines alone. I'm sure they always will, to some degree.

my


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[Edited 3/5/06 5:01am]

JPW said:

Very much the contrary. See - what, and especially how, we love greatly varies from one individual to another (there's no universality to be found there). I just realized years ago that I didn't love jamming on the guitar or playing with other musicians live and I didn't want to cheat otheres or myself that this would have been the case. I realized that what I loved about the creative process is the fiddling, programming, electronic sound manipulation. It's enjoyable, it's the process



Matmos is a great band. Project, whatever...



Haha. Don't worry, None of my bands look like they'd be entering the charts anytime soon.

No, never.
[Edited 3/5/06 5:08am]

tongue planted firmly in cheeck