Album Cover for "These Hopeful Machines"
Musical artist BT is at the cutting edge of modern-day composition: Creating breath-taking songs with the latest digital sounds and effects, many of which he pioneered and created. A form of music that once might have been reserved for fans of Techno or Electronic has expanded to mainstream music. It’s nearly impossible to find a song on the radio today that doesn’t have some sort of digital effects or instruments. The music on BT’s new album “These Hopeful Machines” takes a step further than most pop music by using technology to stretch the limits of music and advance the art of composition, rather than just recreate what was previously done acoustically. Furthermore, his music combines the best of all worlds: acoustic instruments, strong male and female vocals, as well as digital instruments and effects.
From movie scores to video game soundtracks and several full-length studio albums as well as countless remixes, you’ve probably heard music created by BT, even if you’ve never heard his name. Four years in the making, his new album, “These Hopeful Machines” is an amazing work of musical genius. The album is very smooth and all the components of each song work together. It’s difficult to pick apart any specific sound or effect, let alone realize this all started out as bits and bytes. Each sound has its place and when listening to the album it’s clear that BT has used the array of technology available to him for the better of the music; this is not Electronic for the sake of being Electronic. “These Hopeful Machines” is an advancement of musical composition and represents significant achievement in exploring music that simply couldn’t exist without technology.
As a technologist, BT uses software and hardware to bring the sounds and effects he desires into fruition. One example of technology created by BT is StutterEdit, an editing plugin that is often used in his songs as well as by many other artists. As the name suggests, StutterEdit will manipulate audio to add a stutter effect, resulting in something like converting someone saying “brains” to “bra-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ains”. It’s really quite catchy and can be heard throughout “These Hopeful Machines” and other albums. For every-day music creation, BT has created the iPhone and iPod Touch application Sonifi which allows anyone to use a number of effects and create their own remixes of BT’s music. All of BT’s inventions are created under the business name Sonik Architects and he has plans for a lot more, including updates and enhancements to Sonifi.
Recently, I had the chance to speak with BT and discuss the new album. I was delighted with his candid responses and openness to discuss a variety of topics. One of the things that had BT most excited about this new album was his creative freedom to make a real album. During our discussion, BT explained that in the past, like with the album “Emotional Technology”, he was “encouraged at the time to make that record a collection of songs as opposed to an album.” Working with his new label, Nettwerk, he had the freedom to make a complete album, as he describes it: “a collection of songs that are meant to be ingested as a whole.” Our conversation continued as follows:
Philthy: Did you have any specific intentions with the provocative album title “These Hopeful Machines” or do you want to leave it open to interpretation?
BT: It’s something I would like to remain ambiguous in a way. Some songs that I’ve heard back from fans that are favorite songs of mine are songs that have been left open to a significant amount of interpretation. They are fairly bleak and ambiguous, an array of things to any group of people. I will say this: The title of this album definitely falls in line with my fascination with humans integrating technology effectively into their lives, our design, and how beautifully designed we are. There’s definitely a kind of technological singularity to it. I hope it is thought provocative.
Philthy: Putting four years into an album is a long time, was it really four years of work or was this album on the back-burner at times?
BT: The compositional process for me just takes this long. I have very impatient fans by the end of it. The amount of detail and the kind of molecular way that I compose, these take a long time. I do take breaks; I need the time to be away from it to think clearly.
Philthy: Were any of the tracks more challenging than others? What are you most proud of on this album?
BT: There was a song that was the most challenging and the one I’m most proud of. It is “Every Other Way.” That song, it beat me up. We literally had like a two month sparring match and we finally came to an understanding. It was the bar that I measured everything else on the album by. There were some things in terms of methodology, this idea of incorporating a nano-rhythmic material with acoustic instruments and a vocal, that were very difficult to combine.
Philthy: Did the economic recession have an effect on this album’s content or creation?
BT: Not on the composition process, but I’m not in a sensory deprivation tank. I’m an artist; the exterior world has a profound impact on my creative process. I’ve read that the arts are one of the things that in times of crisis are a go-to cultural thing. It reminds people of their connection and our humanity. I like to think of music ultimately as something that’s very escapist in a way, both takes you out of yourself and reminds you how you’re connected to your fellow person.
Philthy: How would you suggest your fans who are also aspiring artists and composers start to explore the art and create their own music?
BT: I would encourage people to look at things outside of whatever the chosen idiom is that they want to express themselves in. Let’s say you’re a fan of Radiohead, I would encourage you to read every interview you could find with Radiohead, find the music that inspired them and go study it. When I say study, I actually mean copy. One of the greatest exercises I can offer to anyone is to take a song that you love and make a note for note recreation of it. It’s such a tedious process, but it’s an effective learning tool for finding your own voice.
Philthy: Who were your influences?
BT: Some of my influences are not actual composers. From a compositional perspective my big heroes are: Bartok, Debussy, and Stravinsky. I’m very inspired by the break dancing culture, with electronic music, […] Cabaret Voltaire, Depeche Mode, New Order, and The Human League. My real influences are classical music and early 80s electronic music.
Philthy: How has your strong presence in social media changed your relationship with fans?
BT: [It provides] iterative feedback in real time, which I really enjoy. I have amazing, amazing fans. The people that follow what I do are really thoughtful,l bright people and that’s really exciting to see on a daily basis. I typically don’t get people just “hey bro”-ing me. [I get] conscious, altruistic, thought provoking things. It’s so exciting to be composing music now. I think of the long standing motto of first standing artist and benefactor. It’s kind of like how the various religions sold the religion to their people. There was never a direct connection to the divine. It’s sort of like that; it’s really upended that in a way. It’s a direct point of connection without a middle-man.
BT
A formal tour has not yet been announced, but BT was able to confirm that there is one in the works and Seattle will definitely be one of his stops.
The new album is a work of art that stands on its own to be appreciated and experienced. Each song combines instruments and vocals that grip the listener and provoke deep feelings of love, hope, light, life and exploration. Several of the songs also provide a solid beat that you can’t help but dance to. While the music can certainly accompany you while performing other tasks, I find it so complex and engaging that often times, such as while writing this article, I can’t help but sit back and take it all in.
True art inspires art and that’s part of what happens when listening to “These Hopeful Machines.” Each song ignites the imagination with creativity and I think many artists will be quick to incorporate BT’s masterpiece into works of their own (whether it’s remixes, videos, art, dance or other mediums of expression). Even those who are not artists, after hearing this album, can’t help but feel compelled to share it with everyone they meet. Many of BT’s fans on Twitter have been gifting the album to one another or giving away copies. I felt so inspired that I have organized a listening party to share the album with my friends and the local community.
Great music deserves our attention and support; if you find this album as inspiring as I have, show your support to BT. As he has said himself on Twitter, buying the album is more about showing the number of people who appreciate his music than putting money in anyone’s pockets. So go to iTunes, Zune, Amazon or your local record store and take a listen to the new album. If you like it, buy it and show your support. Or, if you’re in the Seattle area come to my listening party where you can hear the new album and have the chance to win a free copy. Once you’ve heard the new album, please post in the comments section of this article with your thoughts! I look forward to reading your reactions.
