There was no intentional relation, but inevitably the devastating Japan Earthquake, and the frightening nuclear disaster following it, somehow found its way into this mix. The result: a rather dark overall atmosphere, which seems to leave little room for hope. But at the same time, in Europe, winter retreats and daylight returns. Nature shows that it can destroy as well as recuperate.
I did not realise that creating a mix-collage based on soundscapes is be more difficult than one based on single tracks.. The original context gets lost, and the result feels like an aural stream of consciousness that may not exactly be “easy on the ears” …. but may prove to be a fascinating exploration of imaginary territories..
A selection from the ‘Neither Speak Nor Remain Silent’ box-set, with haunting songs combined with the extreme minimalist remixes of the bonus versions.
What exactly happens at the moment night changes back into day again, when darkness slowly retreats and light comes back in? Are we aware of what happens outside, at that time of day most of us are still sleeping? What sort of animals or creatures are hiding from the light, and what sort finally dare to come out again? Would we discover “Dawn Secrets” when we’d leave our own safe and familiar surroundings?
Imagine yourself in deep sleep. Very deep sleep. Unaware of your surroundings, unable to control images built from memories, unable to distinguish your dreams from impressions originating from the outside world.
This mix is a bit different: it’s definitely not an “ambient mix”, although there’s quite a lot of ambience involved. Iit features the music of one artist only: Michel Banabila.
A collaborative mix by Muttley (Subversion Weblog) and myself. The mix is divided in ‘sets’ getting shorter each round. In minutes: 20-20-10-10-5-5.
“Was the Constitution written in visible ink? Has everybody here forgotten how to think? Is this great big boat starting to … sink?”
Though the title of Arve Henriksen’s opening track (Stille Veg, Quiet Road) was the working title for this mix, I finally decided to call it “Invisible Ink” – referring to the quote from Laurie Anderson’s track from “Homeland”, which may describe the confused global state (and – if you wish – the political state of Holland in particular):
Was the Constitution written in visible ink?
Has everybody here forgotten how to think?
Is this great big boat starting to … sink?”
But apart from this, this journey along the ‘Stille Veg’ may present some interesting encounters – some dark and mysterious, others enchanting and optimistic…
