Is experimental electronica in a rut?

[ethios4]

Yea, Analord just didn't do it for me, although a decent set of work.

[Lazos]

I like some "experimental" stuff, but all multimedia performance gimmicks aside, I'd still rather pay money for a consummate musician(s) to perform sublime music on their real instruments any day or night.

And what if those musicians were playing a classical symphony? Who is the musician there? Is it the people holding the 'real instruments', or is it the dead guy holding a pen 200 years ago? Both?

My point is this : there are all kinds of different musical experiences, all with different strengths/weaknesses. To me, a DJ spinning records made by someone else is every bit as valid as a live band, or a classical symphony. There is an experience to be had with a DJ spinning techno that would be utterly impossible with a live band, or even live electronic musicians. Similarly, there is an experience possible with a live band that a DJ could never accomplish. I don't think either is any more 'real' than another. Similarly, there is an experience possible with multimedia that is not possible any other way.

Yep, I agree. Never once said that DJing or any other form was invalid. I'll go out to the clubs and dance to DJ music occasionally and enjoy myself immensely. I was simply stating my opinion of what I prefer. Yes, they are all REAL musical activities and experiences. They all incorporate different skills (though comparing the skills and time spent at the craft of a classical musician vs. the craft of a DJ is like apples to oranges). Damn. Shouldn't have used the word "real." It gets everyones' panties in a wad!

[ethios4]

Sorry if the tone sounded offended or anything. I was having a bad day and went on a bit of a rant that was rather unrelated to what you were saying!

[Lazos]

No, it's all good. I should probably be more mindful of using a term like "real instruments" in a forum full of electronic musicians and DJs!

[ethios4]

Symphonic poem for 100 metronomes, Ligeti.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8v-uDhcDyg

Nice, had not ever actually heard that before, just read about it.

I've always wanted to do an arrangement of Terry Riley's In C using follow actions in Ableton. Participated in a few performances...a lot of fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjR4QYsa9nE

[aisling]

sorry for the ot, but this thread gave me a flashback to the early/mid 90's when I first was turned on to psychic tv/genesis porridge, FSOL, scorn, helios creed and such (exit planet dust). Being a rock/grunge/metal guitarist at the time, this stuff blew my mind and I was never the same musically.....

For me, thanks to somebody who posted a kraut rock documentary on this forum, my newest experimental electronica, has been a rediscovery of that genre.....

The latest shpongle was my biggest disappointment of the year.

[ethios4]

The latest shpongle was my biggest disappointment of the year.

I still haven't listened all the way through it....some parts I have really enjoyed so far, but it's also surprisingly boring....haven't heard any new ideas really yet, just fancier production. It was only ever supposed to be a trilogy...

[andreX]

http://www.myspace.com/incitefm

[aisling]

The latest shpongle was my biggest disappointment of the year.

I still haven't listened all the way through it....some parts I have really enjoyed so far, but it's also surprisingly boring....haven't heard any new ideas really yet, just fancier production. It was only ever supposed to be a trilogy...

I agree, I'm putting more interest into younger brother from here on out. I also thought a new hallucinogen was in the works, have I missed something?

[ethios4]

There's been mention of it occasionally for the past few years, and I heard several new tracks when I saw him live, but no recent mention. Hallucinogen live gets dissed a lot for being stuck in the past, but I have never danced so hard in my life! Wow, has it really been 14 years since a Hallucinogen release???

[aisling]

There's been mention of it occasionally for the past few years, and I heard several new tracks when I saw him live, but no recent mention. Hallucinogen live gets dissed a lot for being stuck in the past, but I have never danced so hard in my life! Wow, has it really been 14 years since a Hallucinogen release???

not to seem like I am stuck in a time warp, but some of the my most inspirational (tarnce) music goes back that far..... Although there are plenty of amazing new releases out there as well.
I guess I am a sucker for the goa, and such.....
Tragically, newer astral projection releases never hold up to the ones back in the day.
Even 'mindfield' "lets get stoned and watch the freaks", still gets rotation in my play list

[ethios4]

Yes I agree! There is some new stuff I really like, but aside from fancier production, I feel like the goa/psy from the 90's often has more replay value...actual melodies/creativity/journeys. So much of today's psy is a bassline with noises on top. That works for a few listens, but I don't connect emotionally to that sort of thing....I'm not reminded of a certain time or feeling when listening back.

Paul Oakenfold's goa mixes are still to this day some of my favorite music ever, and it's all classic mid-90's goa/psy....incredibly inspirational! What a journey....so much variety, and mixing of genres!

[aisling]

Yes I agree! There is some new stuff I really like, but aside from fancier production, I feel like the goa/psy from the 90's often has more replay value...actual melodies/creativity/journeys. So much of today's psy is a bassline with noises on top. That works for a few listens, but I don't connect emotionally to that sort of thing....I'm not reminded of a certain time or feeling when listening back.

Paul Oakenfold's goa mixes are still to this day some of my favorite music ever, and it's all classic mid-90's goa/psy....incredibly inspirational! What a journey....so much variety, and mixing of genres!

You nailed it with the "not being reminded of a certain feeling or time".
I have tremendous respect for Oakenfold, considering his involvement in the manchester scene, and progression into electronica...

[Donnie]

I love that mid 90s era of Trance. Really good stuff, definitely not the cheddar you get these days.

[keefbaker]

I think the problem with a lot of "experimental electronica" is it isn't really experimental any more. A lot of people just want to re-write Tri Repaetae over and over again to the point now where it's as much a defined genre as bluegrass or punk.

But there is a lot of great stuff out there! Defrag's Lament Element album is a fabulous dubstep/breakcore/idm hybrid just to mention one.

Maybe some of the big guns aren't doing much in the way of exciting work but there are others who are!