Radio Lear Podcast 012 – Generative Synthetics
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At Radio Lear we have a passion for the exploration of the fusion of natural and artificial elements in the world of music. This podcast is my journey through and within that intersection, where the acoustic and the synthetic merge to create something new and unique.
In this episode, I’m sharing tracks that exemplify this synthetic aesthetic experience, drawing upon the principles and techniques used by innovative artists in the field. I’m captivated by the way artists like Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith use unique instruments like the Buchla Music Easel as an extension of their voice, finding a balance between the human and the machine that results in a sound that is both familiar and foreign.
You’ll experience the interplay of the old and the new, as artists draw upon their classical training while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with modern and vintage synthesizers. And yet, amidst the electronic sounds and textures, there remains a place for the human voice and real strings, grounding us in the familiar even as we venture into the unknown. This auditory voyage takes us on a metamodernist exploration of the paradoxical dance between the natural and the synthetic, bridging the chasm between traditional musical sensibilities and the bold sounds of the digital age.
Our first offering is Marcello Liverani’s “Another Fragment of Stillness”. The track is a haunting synthesis of organic soundscapes and mechanical tones, encapsulating the artist’s ability to straddle both worlds. Liverani’s piece embodies the stillness in motion, a juxtaposition that will set the tone for our journey.
Following Liverani, J Albert’s “Before I Go” ushers in a darker, more introspective tone. The track’s sparse percussive elements merge seamlessly with ethereal synth lines, evoking a sense of departure that is both melancholic and liberating.
The partnership between JakoJako & Rødhåd bears fruit in “Helonias”, a track that embodies their collective exploration of the interplay between electronic and acoustic elements. Their knack for capturing the tactile textures of modular synthesizers evokes an image of hands-on interaction with the buttons and knobs of their instruments, much like Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith’s relationship with the Buchla Music Easel.
The journey continues with Forgivness’s “Dying in Eden”, a track that exhibits a blend of the old and the new. Here we find the artist’s classical training manifested in orchestral strings, merged with the pulsating heartbeat of electronic percussion.
Joseph Shabason’s “Donna Lee” and Denis Stelmakh’s “Ambedo” resonate with a similar fusion, where the human voice weaves in and out of a synthetic soundscape. The result is a haunting harmony between the human and the machine, akin to Smith’s description of the Buchla Music Easel as an extension of her voice.
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith herself joins forces with Emile Mosseri in “Shim Sham”, a testament to the power of collaboration. Their collective musical intelligence radiates through the playful interaction of their electronic and acoustic elements.
Klais Nomi’s “Simple Man AGar Agar Remix”, Four Tet’s “Aerial”, and Feel Fly’s “Optical Bells” all carry forward the theme of the fusion of organic and synthetic elements, each artist adding their unique sonic signature to the mix.
With “Power of Grace”, Fort Romeau delves deeper into the electronic realm, showcasing a mesmerising blend of rhythm and synth. Joakim’s “Nothing Gold (Le Loup Remix)”, too, demonstrates a similar metamodernist approach, where the traditional and the experimental coexist.
Finally, Kangding Ray’s “Bitter Keylime” concludes our journey, a track that captures the essence of our voyage: the exploration of the symbiotic relationship between the synthetic and the natural.
These synthetic aesthetic experiences take us to the heart of metamodernism, where the boundaries between the synthetic and the natural blur to create something truly unique. Join me on this voyage as we retune our sensibilities to appreciate the interplay of these seemingly disparate realms.
Note: This is a fictional post that bears no relation to any person or organisation. It was generated using ChatGPT and the image was created using Midjourney.
