”Ideological” reasons in noise making

[FreakAnimalFinland]

I was reading one Finnish deep ecological magazine, with latest issue being critique of machines.

This made me think of how many have "ideological" motivations or reasons in SOUND they make and tools they use? I am not talking about lyrics or concepts, but actual sound.

As examples, Con-Dom indeed had songs such as "New Luddities" and so on, but as a noise marker, he was not "musician" at all and only gear he was using was that same old vocal effect with flanger and phaser build in one device. That, plus couple walkmen with tape loops. It seemed to be a conscious choice. When the effect broke, he took it to electrician to fix it. Not getting something new. Even if project advanced over the years, it was certainly not tech oriented.

As opposite, you got the guys who are devoted to be on frontline of new tech. Not even need of something really, but wanting to work with latest advanced technology. Ready to reject any nostalgia, just to move on to new. Even to point where the new isn't sounding good or looking good, but is just something new to try out.

There are guys like Nuori Veri, who wrote manifest of rural noise, where usage of magnetic tape, old technology and tools that were not "meant to be" instruments, became instruments for... ideological reasons. Standing in opposition of certain things and seeing value in tools that were around.

. . .

If I look what I do, I don't know do I have something that constitutes "ideological" reasons, but there are indeed conscious decisions that go beyond "whatever man"! Some sort of ways of doing things, preferences of tools. I can't see myself working with AI. I am not using virtual instruments - beyond some effects in mixing. I like tactile and physical. I don't feel comfortable taking source sounds from youtube or something. Even if there would be sonically brilliant source right there, it just doesn't feel something I'd want to do. That is said with exceptions! I have done couple of times. Needed something very specific and that's where the sound appears. Do I need to go and find moment where I get the sound of welding on tape.. or do I just search video of someone welding and use it? Despite ideally, I'd do all the work myself, but not feeling as if I betrayed my ideals while doing so, hah..





 

[murderous_vision]

I was reading one Finnish deep ecological magazine, with latest issue being critique of machines.

This made me think of how many have "ideological" motivations or reasons in SOUND they make and tools they use? I am not talking about lyrics or concepts, but actual sound.

As examples, Con-Dom indeed had songs such as "New Luddities" and so on, but as a noise marker, he was not "musician" at all and only gear he was using was that same old vocal effect with flanger and phaser build in one device. That, plus couple walkmen with tape loops. It seemed to be a conscious choice. When the effect broke, he took it to electrician to fix it. Not getting something new. Even if project advanced over the years, it was certainly not tech oriented.

As opposite, you got the guys who are devoted to be on frontline of new tech. Not even need of something really, but wanting to work with latest advanced technology. Ready to reject any nostalgia, just to move on to new. Even to point where the new isn't sounding good or looking good, but is just something new to try out.

There are guys like Nuori Veri, who wrote manifest of rural noise, where usage of magnetic tape, old technology and tools that were not "meant to be" instruments, became instruments for... ideological reasons. Standing in opposition of certain things and seeing value in tools that were around.

. . .

If I look what I do, I don't know do I have something that constitutes "ideological" reasons, but there are indeed conscious decisions that go beyond "whatever man"! Some sort of ways of doing things, preferences of tools. I can't see myself working with AI. I am not using virtual instruments - beyond some effects in mixing. I like tactile and physical. I don't feel comfortable taking source sounds from youtube or something. Even if there would be sonically brilliant source right there, it just doesn't feel something I'd want to do. That is said with exceptions! I have done couple of times. Needed something very specific and that's where the sound appears. Do I need to go and find moment where I get the sound of welding on tape.. or do I just search video of someone welding and use it? Despite ideally, I'd do all the work myself, but not feeling as if I betrayed my ideals while doing so, hah..





 

Shit, if you need authentic welding sounds, or mechanical devastation of any kind, just send me a message. I am surrounded in it every day. It can be heard all over Murderous Vision work.

[k.p.g]

As opposite, you got the guys who are devoted to be on frontline of new tech. Not even need of something really, but wanting to work with latest advanced technology. Ready to reject any nostalgia, just to move on to new. Even to point where the new isn't sounding good or looking good, but is just something new to try out.

The most apt. example of this would be Merzbow.  I know Masami claims A.I. has not made noise for him on record, but I only see that being a matter of time.  Whatever has been the newest in art or sound tech, it seems he has tried it. I am actually surprised he isn't just full modular at this point. 

how many have "ideological" motivations or reasons in SOUND they make and tools they use? I am not talking about lyrics or concepts, but actual sound.

To return to the question at hand though, part of what has drawn me to the tools in my arsenal as that they can capture life's happenings just as easily as they can generate noise.  Walkman and field recorder are always present in my car in case of a sudden burst of inspiration; perhaps some chance encounter on the side of the road needs to be told.  While the origin of tracks, sounds, etc. will mostly be kept in the dark, the intent to document a personal point of view has always been the point of Dead Door Unit; the electronics of life.  Adding traditional noise gear (mics, synth, etc.) is just the true sound of love.

In side project settings, some "ideology" behind sound can be applied, other cases is more of picking gear to best service the relationship I have with the specific individual involved.

[Balor/SS1535]

Looking at the earlier periods of Merzbow's work, however, is also a great example for this thread.  Pursuing the "lowest music and art" through recordings literally made from trash (both literal and metaphorical), packaged with trash, etc.

I wonder sometimes whether his use of AI is a deliberate commentary on the whole "AI slop" epidemic (and therefore a continuation of prior ideological stances about noise), but I think that is just wishful thinking on my end.