Aiming for the Simple and Innocent Things with Alex Paterson of The Orb (2 of 2) [Listen 22:37] S04 Ep06
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Special Guest: Alex Paterson (The Orb) (Part 2 of 2) is a major player in the Electronica genre, splashing on to the scene at a transitional time in the genre's history: the period when European musicians were just starting to pick up on the new Techno revolution happening in Detroit and the Acid House scene from Chicago. The Orb were one of the leading bands playing their own form of Electronica at the beginning of the biggest electronic music explosions--the UK Rave scene in the late 80’s to early 90’s--and were fundamental in the direction that Acid House took; spawning "Ambient House" in the new "come down" or chill-out rooms of the rave clubs.
In this podcast, we continue from where we left off, and get into the details of sampling and all the fuss therein, what he's been doing with Lee Scratch Perry, and what he might like to do next. Have a listen
Chiptune: What's Old is New Again . . . And It's Really Old
As some musicians are striving to get the latest sounds and technology, other musicians are turning to old technology and hacking, modding, and stripping things away to make something new, something better. And they're using technology more than 20 years old.
It can be fairly technical, from adding additional chips, to just ripping some of the parts out haphazardly to see what kind of noises it'll make. It comes from several sources, but most often from old video game technology such as Gameboy and old pc's such as the Commodore 64.
It's another way for artists to create in severely limited confines. The appeal of chiptune music goes worldwide, and some artists have made a big name for themselves by working with pieces this way.
Chiptunes and modding has always had a large place in the computer demoscene, but the exact origins are debatable. They could be attributed to Eno from the days of Roxy Music fiddling at the controls of the board on stage, and with The Yellow Magic Orchestra, more closely with sampling computer game music.
But the interesting thing about it is that it hasn't died. The advancement of technology has only promoted the love and furthered the interest. And to show that everything is circular, it's made it's way back to vinyl. I'm mot talking about converting classic albums to 8 bit chiptunes--although that's been done--I'm saying that the format has gone from being the "new medium" that was going to knock vinyl off it's throne, to being discarded as refuse and come full circle to be revived to earn a place in the history of music on vinyl.
While Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, and Leafcutter John have been known to put elements of hacked and modded synths in their music, the indie artist, Jim Guthrie, might be the one who's been infected to the highest degree of chiptune into his music. You might have to call it "Chipfolktronicatune," if you weren't afraid for another lame subgenre label coming into usage. What a long strange trip it's been for the medium that was to be the killer of vinyl, to the bottom of the technological scrapyard, and back into vinyl again. What's next; videos of astronauts covering Bowie classics in space?
Daniel B. of Nothing But Noise Interview (Part 2 of 2) [Listen 21:45] Dropping the needle anywhere with Daniel B S04 Ep05[21:45]
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S04 Ep05 (Part2 of 2) - Dropping The Needle Anywhere With Daniel B
Special Guest: Daniel Bressanutti (a.k.a. Daniel B.) (Part 2 of 2): is an electronic music pioneer and one of the forefathers of the electronic body music genre. Daniel B was a founding member of the iconic Belgian band, Front 242, and an essential figure in the shaping of Synth-Punk, electronic dance, and post-industrial music. He and his current band, Nothing But Noise, comprises of himself, the other founding member of Front 242, Dirk Bergen, as well as adding Erwin Jadot into the mix. Nothing But Noise have a new Limited edition 300 copy 10” white Vinyl single called “Music For Muted TV 1” released on Record Store Day 2013. In this podcast we talk about about growing up in Belgium and getting inspiration from the Prog-rock bands of the 60’s, his connection to the visual arts, his perspective on music critics, and we get into some of his Front 242 work.
Does technology make a better musician?
There's no doubt about it, technology is advancing beyond all measure. It has been said that technology is advancing beyond mankind itself; our culture, society, mind, civilization, and ethics haven't risen to meet the demands and conundrums such an advancement carries with it. In fact, the latest technology in today's cellphones have more computing power than the Mars Curiosity Rover. The logical conclusion leads to launching cellphones into space to act as satellites now. The unfortunate matter 
on this is that cellphone technology is advancing so quickly that by the time that the phones get equipped and launched into orbit, they're outdated and that no one in the market for a cellphone would buy one. Seems rather a waste when most often cellphones get used for acquaintances of yours to post pics of what they had for dinner, doesn't it?
It has been said that technology is advancing beyond mankind itself
Think of what could be created if we put a fraction of that research and development towards new music machines: new sounds and treatments that could shatter the comprehension of the modern mind! However, as mankind, is conjectured to be behind technology, it could be said that musicians themselves haven't advanced far enough to use the capability of the technology. There still has to be a human application of theory and practice. Pressing one key on a synth that has been programmed to the gills to produce the sounds of an orchestra does not make a better musician. I would say that that doesn't even make a musician at all. A monkey could be pressing the key, or a brick resting on the key could just as well produce the same sounds of the programmed synth. There's a lesson in there for budding musicians in there.
Think of what could be created if we put a fraction of that research and development towards new music machines: new sounds and treatments that could shatter the comprehension of the modern mind!
Of course, there is nothing that dates music than outdated sounds, some artists, though, thankfully, manage to escape this limitation; I would use Brian Eno, David Byrne, and the Pixies as examples, but, of course, I'm biased. Although the the reverse is true as well, some musicians sound dated despite using the latest equipment, and no degree of production or equipment tweaking can fix. I'll not name names here; I'll just leave that to your own prejudice.
It's no secret that musicians are an odd lot; some are professed Luddites, some are obsessed to reproduce particular sounds or to use coveted equipment that their heroes used in their impressionable youth to capture the intangible effect.
It's no secret that musicians are an odd lot
There are also musicians/hackers/tinkerers to their equipment to get particular sounds. Richard D. James is one of the most obvious examples.
Theoretically, considering where the most advanced technology is these days, the best audio producing equipment would be a cellphone. Just wait, there's more to come from that direction.
Outdated technology
Of course, there is something to be said about getting the greatest product out of limited resources - to crafting a fine, polished product from within confining boundaries; like the short story is a unique medium in itself with it's own difficulties for writers. And really, so many of the best songs are done with a guitar, drum, and voice. Outdated technology.
But what is there to say except that, of course, there is nothing to show that advanced technology actually adds to the music; the source, the well-spring comes from the mind, and the talent of the musician, and is only limited, or limitless, therein.
So, taking all this in mind I'm going to be the latest to remix Justin Beiber on my cellphone, hurl it to the sky in a ballistic fashion to place it into the atmosphere. It goes on sale upon its return. Who doesn't want the latest limited release remix of Justin Bieber from space? Bidding has already begun on Ebay. Act now!
Harold Budd interview – (Part 2 of 2) Watching Sunlight and Shadows Through Six Windows with Harold Budd S02 Ep11
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S02 Ep11 (Part 2 of 2) - Watching sunlight and shadows through six windows with Harold Budd
Interview Date: May 3, 2012 @8pm EDT
A Highly Recommended Listen!
Special Guest: Harold Budd is an American composer and poet who is known for his soft pedal piano style and his ground-breaking projects. In this podcast we talk about the album "By the Dawn's Early Light", the photo of "The Captive White Boy, Santiago McKinn" (Photo below), the story behind the David Sylvian produced album "Avalon Sutra" and working with his friends, John Foxx (formally of Ultravox), Robin Guthrie, plus his view of the piano and much more.
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-jimmymckinn2.html
Big Noise of Electronica
We wanted to showcase some of the big names of electronica, of course, as is often the case, many of the artists were creating music before the label was invented and applied, and many are rankled by the label, but we're using the term to showcase some of the figures that pushed the frontier using digital instruments and methods. This is, by no means an exhaustive list, but take a look and familiarize yourself if you’re unfamiliar with the names. There’s so much that falls under the electronica banner – whole genres, sub-genres, as well as performers. A lot of it gets derided, sometimes rightfully so; to be fair, there’s bad music everywhere, but electronica sometimes gets attacked with absolute vitriol. Especially with the resurgence in the popularity of folksinger/songwriters, adherents of folk or the like sometimes try to prove their passion and love by attacking what they see as the opposite musical form. Most often it's a mistake, really. Electronica has made a more profound and encompassing impact in music in general than one might think - even in the folksinger/songwriter genre. To realize this, dig into some of the figures under the banner. These performers are icons of the field who shaped the face of music. You might want to explore a few of them, the experience might just be mind expanding. To not do so, and continue to criticise would just be willful ignorance.
Karlheinz Stockhausen
He has to be mentioned. The forefather of electronica. Everyone else mentioned here can trace their roots back to him. Without him, things would be very different. You might say, without him there would have been a great void.
Kraftwerk
The band that launched a thousand ships. Literally, bands that list Kraftwerk as an influence number into the thousands. Kraftwerk has sparked whole genres of music that have an everlasting foundation in the history of music. “Autobahn,” “Computer World,” “Tour de France”
Brian Eno
Another progenitor, simply put. His popularity really seems to be growing exponentially, but he was active since the early 1970`s. Thoughtful and artistic; there`s so much that could be said about him, and so much has already, and in the most glowing praise. His influence is everywhere in music (and meta-music - like computer sounds) Pushing boundries, birthing genres, if you listen to music, you’ve heard his input. If you haven’t taken an active