His Smother EP - Artist Statement
My set up for the recording.
The His Smother EP, was in fact, (like so many great things) a happy accident. A situation created from artist feelings, inspiration, circumstance, technological limitation and adhoc drive. A product of the time. This piece was a drive, not just an exploration. An expression, and full of artist intention.
In October/November 2021, I was in a period of hotel quarantine, after relocating From Canberra (Australia) to Brisbane (Australia). In many ways, I believe this was an unnecessary precaution, laid out by the state government, (but that is another conversation). I was tense. This extra stress was added to the existing pressures of moving, starting new work, and being away from may partner (especially after a period of extended lockdown with her). In the final days of the isolation, I decided to do some recording. I needed to do some recording.
Having only a couple of midi controllers and my computer, I naturally worked with what I had. The decision to only use custom software in my recording sessions, (and not other software packages), was driven from the timbres I wanted to explore. As listeners would know, I have been working with the MAX/MSP Software package (Cycling 74) For many years. This has been majorly a part of my 'LIVE TAKES' series. When I purely need to create, I motion towards those tools. The tools used in this work have had many previous iterations. My Set_Drone patcher is in its peak form. I utilise simple FM synthesis Carrier / Modulator waves through simple synth tones, to make the most of the base building blocks of sound. This revision of the software features many performer niceties, such as in-built FX, fine control over macro parameters & more. The Novation Launch Control XL controller, is a great piece of gear that allows me to explore sound easily. The controller mappings have reached their peak. This sound software has had tablet, phone, gestural, other controller and PC input before; but I believe the mixture of sliders, butters & knobs, of the Launch Control XL suits me well. The Launch Pad controller is a newer facilitator of my Noise_Maker patcher. Switching to simplified button and toggle style 'preset' control over the various experimental sounds; has created nice limitations to how I control these timbres. Sometimes micro/exact control is required, but at the moment, I enjoy the simple on/off style. It allows me not to get too ‘bogged down’ in the details that aren’t important to the emotions I wish to explore. I used a reworking of some multitrack recording concept suite by musician duo Marsona (thank you for the jumping off point); to record.
Unknowingly, I had brought myself to a place I had always worked for & wanted to be in: An EP recorded entirely from MAX/MSP software.
The noise and the drone combined wonderfully on the day of recording. In one of those mythical moments of creative bliss, everything came together. It feels like these moments are that of cliched fiction. It feels like the years of ‘LIVE TAKES' and being used to live mixing through a console/desk, or 'in instrument’ had paid off. After about 15 minutes, recorded the ‘His Smother EP’. My feelings of isolation; thinking of my other half (who has inspired I supported all of my work); fear of the unknown; not knowing how my old home town would suit me and yearning to be out; had mashed and formed into these 15 minutes. I was unsure what I had created. I didn't set out to write an EP. However, I listened to it later; over and over. I couldn't stop listening to it. After a cut and level mixing, I knew I had to release it.
So here we are. Thank you dear reader, for reading my knowingly indulgent & personal artist statement. I had to get this out. If you have not heard it, please free a listen.
Love, and stay safe.
NP
