#3797: Electronic and Electronically-Altered Music

Hear music that incorporates electronic sounds, along with digitally looped and processed acoustic instruments, and purely electronic music on this New Sounds.  Listen to the latest from the band, Battles, who craft intricate music with highly choreographed electronic sounds – their “La Di Da Di.” Ostensibly the trio is guitar, bass, & drums, but has evolved to incorporate plenty of looped effects, created with either analog pedals, or digitally with Abelton. 

There’s also synthesizer music by Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, inspired by Euclidian geometry, written on a the pad-based digital instrument system called a Buchla Music Easel. (See video.) In addition to geometry, Smith cites as inspirational sources things like mbira music, and early electronic music pioneers like Suzanne Ciani, Laurie Spiegel, and Terry Riley. 

Also hear sliced and diced computer music by Carl Stone, partially based on a Mozart opera – “Sonali” (Most titles of his works are named for favorite Asian restaurants.) Stone built this work around software which was designed to intentionally produce glitchy effects not unlike when a CD gets stuck. (Remember that 1990’s sound?)  

Then, there’s music by Squarepusher, the moniker of UK-based Tom Jenkinson, who combines electronic sound sources, live instruments and digital and/or “liquid effects” processing. Plus, hear a work by digital violinist Todd Reynolds with West Coast beatboxer and singer Kid Beyond, from his fabulous record “Outerborough.” And more.

PROGRAM #3797 Electronic and Electronically-Altered Music (First Aired 11-12-2015)