Tasked Phenomenology
Here’s a piece of sound design/sculpture that I worked on for a dance that went up this past weekend (pictures soon). While the dance was, in theory, about nothing, it was also about attempting and failing to complete a task. Our choreographers didn’t want any pitch or rhythm, so we relied on texture and density to help create a story. My collaborators and I sampled sounds of people performing tasks (scratching, opening a squeaky door, using hand-sanitizer, etc.) from around the city, and modified them until they became unrecognizable. Then we had fun layering and tinkering in Logic until we came up with what you hear above.
The dancers didn’t actually hear this - nor had we seen much of the dance - until the dress-rehearsal, so watching it come together was pleasantly surprising. At the time it might have been a bit stressful, but looking back, I think it was very cool to create things in a vacuum and let the art just work itself out. AND it was nice to get out of the “traditional” composition world I’ve been living in for the past year.
Choreographers: Erika Barbee, Ben Freedman, Carissa M. Landes
Composers: Avi Amon, Nikko Benson, Julia Gytri
Set design: Stephan Moravski
Lighting: Vadim Ledvin
Costumes: Izzy Fields
Performers: Louisa Barta, Stanton Jacinto, Nick Katen, Catherine Kirk, Jayne Paley
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A-Trak at Webster Hall 1.13.12
Last night’s show was easily the most serious thing I’ve ever attended. And I mean that in the best way possible.
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Trizzy remixed by A-Trak - Turnt Up (From Dirty South Dance 2)
Here’s the whole album playlist on YouTube.
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Boys Noize as Mixed by A-Trak - Oh!
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A-Trak & CyHi Da Prynce - Ray Ban Vision
In preparation for the show this friday… Your daily A-Trak song!
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Spike Jonze presents Yo-Yo Ma and Lil Buck
That is some SERIOUS improvisational collaboration. Absolutely beautiful! Anybody know if that style of dancing has a name? I’ve seen it before but I wonder if it’s classified in any way. And I need to start writing more music for the cello; what a dynamic, versatile instrument. It really has a perfect sound.
Unless it’s played by a 5-old that’s not Yo-Yo Ma…
I think the most incredible thing about this performance is NOT their contrasting backgrounds, but rather each artists’ complete mastery of their craft. It’s the kind of mastery that elicits audible responses from an audience (listen closely and you’ll hear it) and seems to just flow out of their bodies like breathing.
Now of course, we’re always impressed with - or jealous of - people who have skills that we don’t have, and we can be biased by that. For example - I can’t juggle, so I think anyone who can juggle is impressive. Or at least a court jester. But there comes a level of talent and perfection where you’re like, “this is the real shit right here.”
And this is the real shit, right here! I could only DREAM of being at this level decades from now.
There is a Daoist concept, wei wu wei, which roughly translates to ‘doing without doing’ or ‘effortless action.’ (Anyone want to dive into a serious discussion on Chinese philosophy right now??) After years of practice and devotion to something, you’re no longer trying to sing, dance, drive, write, act, calculate, etc…. you’re JUST doing it. It’s moving beyond the simple mechanics and onto the purest form of whatever it is that you’re doing. In this case, it’s Yo-Yo Ma playing the cello and Lil’ Buck moving his body like water. And it can’t be forced - you need to achieve the perfect balance between practice and talent.
The real trick is finding your gift. I think that’s the biggest challenge, honestly. Once that happens, though, it’s time to get wu wei all up on that jawns and make the magic happen.
Teach me how to Dubstep.
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Avi Amon | Musician
