I recall listening to composer Brian Eno speak at a Red Bull Music Academy lecture one afternoon.
Not unlike his pragmatic and practical approach to composition, Eno was resolutely calm in his convictions. This was a thoughtful and considered musician with a forthright approach to ideas and modes of creation. In an industry where most seemingly still avoid lending their voice or honest opinion, his is especially refreshing.
No longer satisfied or interested in discussing the history of his work, nor its distinguished place in popular culture (for good reason), he engaged in discussion on how we might use music in a more deliberate capacity; on its multifaceted application within society. He was considering a valuable and powerful concept: how music affects mood, output and productivity in an active sense.
Having previously ‘updated’ the muzak of NYC’s LaGuardia Airport with an ambient soundtrack (he also created the Windows 95 start-up sound), Eno had gone on to unveil stunning new therapeutic installations at Sussex’s Montefiore Hospital. These ambient healing environments aimed to create a “three-dimensional, all-embracing means of treating patients”, exploring the potential for music to affect therapy and the hospital’s overall atmosphere. It was an immensely interesting and successful idea, and I highly recommend listening to the full, freely available lecture on Red Bull Music Academy’s lecture page.
Ambient, classical and electronic music (among countless other genres) present such wonderful opportunities in our ability to improve, recover, and progress. The Australian Music Therapy Association, for example, advocates research-based practice in supporting improvement of health and well-being through music therapy. Sydney’s The Indigo Project, a boutique mindfulness, psychology and yoga studio, recently discussed its creative approach to psychological practice, supplementing therapy with music and creative avenues. Similarly, Randwick’s Royal Children’s Hospital approaches music as a key part of coping with pain following surgery, among other applications. In our daily lives, we might engage it in meditation.
We engage with music in any number of contexts, and it in turn activates our neural networks like nothing else. Whether playing, dancing or listening, there will always be something special about that.
This week’s playlist:
Tangerine Dream’s Risky Business soundtrack is pretty golden, if only for the inclusion of the magical ‘Love On A Real Train’ (which has since seen a very good 2008 re-recording). I’ve also returned to Erlend Øye’sDJ-Kicks, considered one of the best by many and a genuine insight into the artist’s mind. Consistently fun and upbeat, he lays down a whole lot of unexpected a cappellas, which, awkward as they may seem to some, distinctly flavor the mix. And check out what is without a doubt one of the most special musical experiences committed to tape: Parliament-Funkadelic’s full three-hour show at New Jersey’s Capitol Theatre in 1978, which you can appreciate on YouTube in all its glorious, otherworldly funkiness.
Recommended
SATURDAY APRIL 8
Damiano Von Erckert & Oskar Offermann @Club 77
THURSDAY APRIL 13
Jayda G @Civic Underground
Dusty Fingers 7th Birthday Feat. Andras, Tyson Koh @Cake Wines
FRIDAY APRIL 21
Cake Wines Presents Keep It Disco @Cake Wines
FRIDAY MAY 26
Karizma [below], Ben Fester @Sydney Opera House
SATURDAY JUNE 3
Close – Spontaniety & Synchronicity (Audio-Visual Show) @Sydney Opera House
