IDM Mailing Archive

Fredrik Idestam-Almquist <f91-fid@nada.kth.se> wrote:

quoted 4 lines This genre would be absolutely *nothing* without the producers. Nothing.

>This genre would be absolutely *nothing* without the producers. Nothing. >If you have some other criteria for what makes a song good to you, like for >instance complex melodies and harmonies played on any arbitrary instrument, >fine, listen to some other genre.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Actually, for "complex melodies and harmonies being played on any arbitrary instrument", I listen to William Orbit, Black Dog Productions, and early 808 state, just off the top of my head. You make a very good point about the importance of producers, but I think you're wrong about the musical aspect. It is called _music_, after all.. Hey, lest we forget, many times the funky bass lines that the Orb administers so supremely are played by.. bassists. On a bass guitar. (for but one example.)

quoted 2 lines I get bored very easily with music made by people who are not both

>I get bored very easily with music made by people who are not both >musicians *and* producers.

Now I agree with this completely. But earlier you said... *grin*

quoted 3 lines Being able to play an instrument very well is IMHO *not* a very good thing in

>Being able to play an instrument very well is IMHO *not* a very good thing in >this genre, as I think that it somehow lessens the feeling for other ways of >listening to the music.

Well, I get bored very easily with music made by people who are not both musicians *and* producers.

quoted 3 lines My experience is that people who are too involved with one part of the music -

>My experience is that people who are too involved with one part of the music - >whether it be harmonies or timbres - will miss out on some other essential >part.

I couldn't care less about 90% of the 'techno' being made, because I don't listen for anything BUT harmonies, timbres, rhythmic anarchy (BDP!), etc. And there are very few electronic musicians that produce truly genuine material. For the record, I consider anyone with a record out (and alot of people without- like me) to be electronic musicians. It doesn't matter whether your instrument is a synth, sampler, mixing board, cigar boxes, bits of frayed wire, or african talking drums triggered by your cat's litter box. The point is, I feel like you (Fredrick) are selling producers short by segregating them from music and the musical process. What if Dougans and Cobain (sp?) were _just_ producers? All those digital effects, dynamic pans, and layers would sound rather empty without the musical ears that selected Lisa's voice for "Papua New Guinea", Pete's synth for "Fat Cat", and that killer killer acoustic guitar loop for "Mountain Goat". Brad. Awaiting that review of "Lifeforms".. :) (Liz and all!)