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Today I realized that all this time I’ve been making a simple acoustic sonification of a radio… But why would I make a sonification of a sound signal?

Loudspeakers were invented in the late 19th century. Until then all sound sources were more or less acoustic, nonelectric instruments. More than a hundred years later the situation has turned around. We have more electric sound sources (loudspeakers, headphones) acoustic instruments. I believe that our hearing is being redefined by what the current speaker technology. There are incredibly many people who listen a big chunk of their music from the built-in speakers of their cellphone or laptop.

When I hear sound art in a gallery, sounds tend to be produced/reproduced by speakers. At gigs — even when the band plays acoustic instruments — the sounds are amplified and played through speakers. Is it always necessary? What happened to the acoustic sound sources and acoustic bands? The problem is that when we use loudspeakers, high quality mics and all kinds of post-production tricks, the sounds become easily unnaturally lush, wonderful, sonically rich and detailed. I mean, I love that, but what if we get too used to that amplified sound? Do acoustic instruments lose their magic when they sound always so much better on a recording? Do we lose our sensitivity to natural sound textures?

The work also reminds me of some composers, like Leos Janacek, who studied natural rhythms and melodies of speech and tried to incorporate his findings in his compositions.

Anyway, these are some thoughts that I’ve had on my mind when making this piece. It is also some kind of continuation to “In Girum Imus Nocte”. I believe this is also a path that I will continue working with.

Here is a preview from the insides of my new sound piece:

“CATCH” group show opening tomorrow at Forum Box, Helsinki.

My new sound art piece is almost ready. The exhibition opening is next week and I’ll have to work my ass off in the next days, but there should still be enough time to finish the sculpture… I’ll share pictures and more information about the project soon!

When I say I’m working on a sound sculpture, some people will immediately think about cupolas (handpans). Some people call these instruments “sound sculptures”. This echoes Panart’s view about the Hang, that it is not an instrument. Even though I don’t know what Panart think about this these days, some people still think handpans are not instruments, but something “more”, as if “sound sculpture” would mean something finer than a masterfully crafted instrument…

A sculpture is something you look at. A sound sculpture is something you listen to. And an instrument is something you make music with. For me it seems obvious to which category a cupola/handpan/Hang falls.

Leonardo da Vinci thought that visual arts is superior art form compared to music, because of the ephemeral nature of sound. This cultural dominance of sight over hearing is today probably even stronger than during the renaissance. Our newsfeeds are cluttered with images (of cats, mostly) and sound is considered an alternative media, despite its huge potential… I believe this is because the sight is conquered more easily than hearing. We can point our eyes wherever we want, but listening needs practice.

My opinion is that Leonardo was wrong. Music is more permanent than any other art form. It is encoded in our DNA, even deeper than language.

Now, back to work…

On friday I was in the middle of a recording session of my second album, when during a coffee break I opened my Facebook to read the sad news about Dante Bucci’s passing. A friend posted a short status update that contained only Dante’s name, and at first it seemed like a Facebook search written in a wrong text box. Then, after reading the comments, came the disbelief and sadness. While on the train back home, I listened to Dante’s album and remembered how we had jammed together just two months earlier at Hangout USA…

Before and after the jam he was practicing his version of Cohen’s Hallelujah, which someone had versioned earlier the same evening. I got only fragments of Dante’s version on my Zoom, but our whole jam was recorded. While we played, the sun set and fireflies swarmed all around us. One of the truly magical moments of my trip to Hangout, and one of the very few that were documented.

Thank you Dante for your music and inspiration! May your music continue bringing joy and light to our lives! Also, all my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

RIP Dante.