voices #31
◦ “voices” is the place where we ask, artists reply and you read.
here we got:
Craig aalders
answering some questions. We have already observed his ambient / electroacoustic work here.
[1. IDEA]
■ The A. O.: The track from “After the Slow Fade” that we prefer is “Footprints”. Can you tell us how it came to light?
► Craig Aalders: Footprints came to light in a moment of inspiration based around a particular sound combonation of electric guitar, modulation pedal, and tape delay. Compositionally it began with the opening trem melody that starts the track and continues throughout.
[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?
► Craig Aalders: I almost always start from a moment of sonic inspiration – a sound, a texture, a chain of specifc instrumentation that yeilds an outcome that I find resonanting in some sense. After an initial idea is captured, I listen to it and try to respond to it in a way that continues to develop the inital spark of inspiration.
[3. FEEDBACK]
■ The A. O.: What do you hope listeners feel or experience when engaging with your music?
► Craig Aalders: A sense of space, moment, mood and reflection.
[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?
► Craig Aalders: By continuing to develop and cultivate my own sense of self, process and exploration.
[5. INFLUENCES]
■ The A. O.: Mention 3 albums that you consider relevant to your musical path and why.
► Craig Aalders: ○ Brain Eno – Music for Airports
○ Fennesz and Sakamoto – Cendre
○ Rafael Toral – A Violence of Discovery and a Calm of Acceptance
[6. REGARDS]
■ The A. O.: Leave us with a quote you love.
► Craig Aalders: “As soon as I hear a sound, it always suggests a mood to me” (Brain Eno)