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We're excited to bring you Void Pulse, a new EP from Untiled aka Morgan Smith, a new addition to the Machine roster.
Morgan is based in Wellington, New Zealand, and when we heard these tracks we knew they were a perfect fit for the label. We caught up with Morgan to talk about Untiled and the EP.
Machine: Tell me a bit about these tracks. To me, they evoke opposing ideas like organic/inorganic, evolving/cyclic, a sense of cellular activity and inhuman life.
Morgan: The tracks started with my experimentation as to what could be possible in the ChucK coding environment. When I first began creating the EP, I coded a gesture that played on the idea of "the grid". It would start as a fast, self-oscillation but gradually become more of a rhythmic pulse. This gesture became included in the tracks, and also determined their overall form.
Machine: What drew you to the idea of coding sound as opposed to other ways to make music?
Morgan: I was first introduced to ChucK in my first year of university, and I became absolutely enamoured. What I like about ChucK is that I can design from the ground up without relying too much on what is already made like I would have to in a DAW. You're also using a different sort of language to make music, beyond that of Western notation.
Machine: Had you coded before?
Morgan: Before learning ChucK, I had never coded before in my life.
Machine: You’ve been producing electronic music using ChucK for three years, but you've been doing music much longer.
Morgan: Yes, I used to be in a jazz trio back in Whangarei where I played a lot of bass, though I've always been heavily into progressive metal/rock, as well as virtuosic guitar and bass playing. I play guitar, piano, and a variety of woodwind instruments. I've honed a few skills as a bassist which I'd really like to combine with ChucK one day.
Machine: How did you get into jazz?
Morgan: I was made to play in a high school jazz band. But some friends of mine in the rhythm section formed their own little group, and I asked to tag along one day. Before we played jazz ,we played kraut/progressive rock... I've always been more attracted to the melodic and harmonic language of jazz. I was introduced to the language of jazz through Guthrie Govan's solo album "Erotic Cakes". Still a favourite to this day.
Machine: Void Pulse is quite a long way from Jazz in its tones and timbre! What would you say are key reference points for you?
Morgan: I've been very inspired by Autechre. Their album Untilted taught me a lot about form and structure in electronic music. Their songs feature some of the most nuanced and seamless transitions through different layers I’ve heard. Another influence is Millihertz. His album "Form" had a big impact on me. These albums taught me how you can twist/turn/remould form, but still keep things seamless
Machine: Is "dance music" a thing you identify with? House, techno, jungle?
Morgan: I am much more driven by IDM/breakcore. I was into Pendulum's "Immersion" album at age 12, but then I went full-bore into various metal genres. I've only really slightly come into dance music in these previous years. Groups like The Prodigy and DJ Hyper. I’m interested when other genres are introduced.... Igorrr and Ruby my Dear are two of my absolute favourites for this.
Machine: I see a lot of people on Bandcamp are into experimental metal and electronic music, which reflects a new reconfiguration of scenes compared to what makes sense for me having come to this music in the early 90s. The dividing lines always get redrawn over time, which is great.
Morgan: Absolutely. It's that abrasiveness of both genres. Sounds with strong attacks and harsh edges, fast and chaotic progressions. There's a brilliant band called Car Bomb who have some really interesting inspiration from experimental IDM. They're a mathcore band that make Meshuggah sound like Metallica.
credits
released December 6, 2021
Made by Morgan Smith.
Artwork by Nathaniel Duncan. Mastered by Jack Woodbury.
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