Voices #3
◦ “voices” is the place where we ask, artists reply and you read.
here we got:
House Of Quiet
answering some questions. We have already observed his experimental / ambient / noise / lo-fi work here.
[1. IDEA]
■ The A. O.: The track from “A Crooked Stick” that we prefer is “Ceterus Paribus“. Can you tell us how it came to light?
► House Of Quiet: That particular track was born out of a feeling to add gradually to a simple framework without overwhelming elements. A single looped chord fed by prepared guitar, radio static, staggered delays and predominantly clean work.
[2. CREATION]
■ The A. O.: How do you usually approach composition? Do you start with a concept, a sound, a state of mind or what else? How do you generally proceed from the initial seed to the complete work?
► House Of Quiet: I try to find space to work first. If I know I have even an hour’s window to create I spend ten minutes to half an hour experimenting with sounds: focusing on a single approach or effect until it provokes me into action. Oftentimes the sound evokes a feeling or scenario I can’t quite place, a story without words, only intent. I always try not to go against the inherent nature of the piece. It’s leading me somewhere for a reason and I trust it.
[3. FEEDBACK]
■ The A. O.: What do you hope listeners feel or experience when engaging with your music?
► House Of Quiet: I make my music for myself to find the other world, in-between places that deserve to be seen but need looking for. If the listener gets even a hint of that from my playing, especially live, that’s all I’d even need.
[4. IDENTITY]
■ The A. O.: In a world saturated with digital music content, how do you try to keep your sound distinct and personally meaningful?
► House Of Quiet: I’ve been making this music for 20 years and I don’t curtail any aspect or apologise for it. Making this style of music particularly with an audience in mind defeats the purpose to me. House Of Quiet is my own self and I’ve got the most out of it when I’ve trusted myself and what I’m doing. It makes sense to tailor your work to others if you’re motivated to do that or the end goal is to perfect a style but in the improvised field hearing a creator untethered is the most exciting aspect. I try and wring as much out of my equipment as possible and don’t limit approach to anything. There’s no wrong way to do it.
[5. INFLUENCES]
■ The A. O.: Name three albums that you consider relevant to your musical path and why.
► House Of Quiet: ○ “Bill Orcutt – A New Way To Pay Old Debts”
Mad beyond measure and the sound of exploding spirit. Bill’s made better records than this and packed them full of poignant moments but this is what turned me on to his demented acoustic work and I had never been more excited.
○ “Sun Ra – Aurora Borealis”
The great man on his own with just a piano. Peerless intent, power, delivery, violence and grace. Ra’s canon inspired me to go further and further out, but hearing this solo record was a watershed. Even on his own he sounds like the universe.
○ “Breach – Venom”
A cornerstone of malice, teeth and clarity, Venom changed the way I looked at guitar forever. Serpentine, ever-shifting, alive without assistance, it made me want to make music my own way and to trust what I did irrespective of any outside perspective.
[6. REGARDS]
■ The A. O.: Leave us with a quote you love.
► House Of Quiet: “Don’t play what you know, play what you don’t know.” (Sun Ra)