Derek Piotr’s interview

Second part of the dual interviews collaboration, after he interviewed me, I did it too.
Thanks a lot to him for this intimate interview where we can learn a bit more about this growing artist.

When did all begin ?
In 2006. My friend encouraged me to install audacity on my computer and I began recording and editing sound in this basic way. Still on that program today! I do not believe you need to hide behind fancy programs or filters, you can do the sound work yourself if you know the concept and limits (if any exist!).

What was and is the most inspiring source for you ?
Anything in the background – much like Cage, I detect at all times what sounds are in an environment, the hum of a radiator or crickets or a car or people in the next room or these things, and I can go off of that. When I compose, sometimes it’s whatever I am listening to and that varies literally from minute to minute, Recently Benge’s album 20 Systems and some Tibetan Ritual music, field recordings from temples and such. And Morton Feldman.

Do you use machines or machines & computers ? or does technical things not matter ?
I use just audacity and a microphone to do most of my work. Lot of clicking the mouse! Like I say before if you know how to work with sound you don’t need extras. I’d like to be able to record some more acoustic spaces, like a chapel or cathedral organ, more acoustic instruments.

Which process is the most often used by you for making music ? or maybe, it is each time different.
I think just determining the flow. Choppy edits or smooth? Loud or quiet? Long pauses or a barrage? Drone or beat? All these things maybe, in combination with regard to the source material.

Can you define you music ?
I always call myself a sound composer, I think of my work as sound art more than music. Very rare do I make melody 
But if I was held at gunpoint I’d say something like “minimal electroacoustic”

I read you’re writing an opera. Would you discuss a bit more about that?
All I can say is it is called THERE SHALL BE A NEW EARTH and it will take a few winters to complete. It is my winter project. Bagpipe drones and live electronics, though that’s only a hint.

Can you imagine your music without voice ?
I do some instrumental pieces sometimes. I think this falls under the feel of the material. Sometimes I feel the need to let the tones of the piece be the voice, and sometimes I think there is no room in the piece for a voice. It all depends. I think very heavily I focus on vocals though, I listen to much vocal music.

What do you think about the use of the voice in modern electronic music ?
I appreciate the new ANBB record! and of course there is AGF aka Antye Greie. On the other side now we are getting the Indie acts using more voices, like Dirty Projectors or Grizzly Bear, I do not care so much for these forms of work. A lot of early speech music like Paul Lansky or Gregory Whitehead sticks out big to me. And the experimentalists like Phil Minton or Maja Ratkje, I love.

You seem very sensitive to any forms of art. Do you express yourself with other art than music ?
I am. I write poetry occasionally, and I help run a poetry night one time a week in my state. Words are very important to me, though in my music I focus a lot on wordlessness. Sometimes words are too specific…
And I take hobby in photos. But I need a new camera, so no photo for a while 
But I think visuals are also important, mainly that is an intuitive thing for me, what looks “right”, but I definitely “see” sound in my head. I think they call this synesthesia?

What could be the 3 next projects you’d like to begin & achieve ?
I have some acoustic performances in mind, one with an experimental vocalist and one with a cellist. And I just got the offer from a boy in Beijing to do an EP of Pipa, Voice, and electronics. I see my work braiding in more acoustic-ness lately, and this makes me happy. It is all about the pureness of acoustic sound as shaped by the intensity of electricity. This is what really excites me.

blog: http://derekpiotr.wordpress.com
soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/derek-piotr

Interview of protofuse by Derek Piotr

Derek Piotr made this interview of me: derekpiotr.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/protofuse-interview/

Our collaboration began when he proposed to make 2 crossed-remixes.

I liked to answer because it always made me digging more than usual deep in my mind.
Thanks a lot Derek, I’ll send you my questions today

crossed remixes with Derek Piotr