Cyclone, you need to listen to the recent interview with Mike Banks on Liz Copeland's show in Detroit... He talks for about ten minutes on the whole idea of experimentation with frequencies and their effect on humans, in relation to early UR when both he and Jeff Mills were collaborating in this experimentation. He mentions how he would play a particular jazz chord on the guitar and Jeff would hear it and get excited, asking him what it was - and Mike would say, "That's the chord they play near the end of a funeral service, right before they shut the casket..."
Actually, I got incredibly excited when MB started talking on this subject. I ALWAYS suspected this from when I had first heard some of Mills' music - I was more into experimental jazz than techno at the time. But I got this feeling that there really was something intangible that was interesting about the music, and I began to wonder if different frequencies and rhythms might effect the brain in specific ways. Like it was an update of the techniques that tribal societies used to bring about particular brain states during rituals, but in a more controlled and technological fashion. Also, although I am not a drummer I have had some lessons with jazz drummer Billy Hart, an amazing musician who has performed with Pharoah Sanders and Herbie Hancock, among others. Mr. Hart has some fascinating ideas on the history and genealogy of rhythms, and he is particularly interested in exploring the idea the idea that there might be certain rhythms appropriate to dancing, some that are specifically sexual, some more conducive to spirituality, etc. I've always wondered if this is only cultural or if there might be aspect to this, like the possibility that exposure to different rhythms and tempos can have cause specific brain states. When I started getting into techno, I thought of it as a way to experiment with this idea by exploring particular rhythms for long stretches of time. I still think that is a pretty fascinating idea. ~David ---------- Original Message ------------- Subject: (313) Soundtracks/Off Topicness Date: Fri, 10 Dec 2004 10:08:55 +1100 From: "Cyclone Wehner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: 313 Detroit <[email protected]> I think I am probably one of the main culprits here but I always think my things are somehow relevant. ;) Seriously though many of the DJ/producers listen to (and are so influenced by) a very wide band of music, so it's hard to delineate. This soundtrack topic has been inspired by an excellent Q&A session with Jeff Mills for Three Ages (which I still need to summarise when I can here!) and an excellent interview with Philip Glass on soundtracks in the new ABC magazine Limelight (Aussies should check) which raised some similar issues. One thing I may have mentioned is that before Metropolis Mills recorded a soundtrack of his own for Bladerunner which remains in the Axis vaults but would be fascinating to hear I think. Also he has made a record called The Healing Channel which was inspired by a TV channel in Japan and is calming music. Some may recall many years ago Mike Banks talking of frequencies and their effect on the brain (I can't recall where I read this) and it's something that Mills seems to be exploring with this project. He has played it in a spa to text its affect. I posted my last Mills interview on www.inthemix.com.au if anyone wants to know more about Three Ages (this story was done before I saw the project).
