How did you start in making electronic music? What is your favorite gear?
My Roland SH-101 synth! Definitely! It is a vintage monophonic analog synthesizer. It is amazing! It is very intuitive. It can produce a wide range of sound structures and textures when you tweak and play it. Some say that only a few people own a Roland Sh-101 in the Philippines. It is quite rare and hard to find. It is a collector’s item already.
What are your musical abilities?
I compose and arrange all the parts in my tracks, from melody to sound processing, textures and dynamics.
Aside from electronic music production, I also play synth, guitars, bass and drums. Recently, I just bought an esoteric harp called “Suzuki Harp”. I’m learning how to play it. It looks like a typewriter at first glance. But, I really started as a guitar player. Back in the early 90’s, my brother introduced me to trash metal acts like Anthrax. He bought a drum kit and started playing drums for a trash metal band. Shortly after that, I got interested in playing guitars. Then, I also discovered bands like Led Zeppelin, Sonic Youth, Helmet and many others. At the same time I was listening to electronic acts like Orbital.
Right now, I approach the guitar more as timbral source. But I’m focusing on playing and tweaking synth, music programming and sound design. I play with a guitar sessionist who handles the guitar parts during gigs if necessary.
I’m currently looking for a violinist, cello, xylophone and a harp player, preferably based in Cavite also. If anyone is interested and want to join the fun, you can contact me via e-mail. Just send an e-mail to blender_musika@yahoo.com.
Please tell us more about your track entitled “Eudoxia Vervain’s Don’t Take your Life (Blessed the Soul Blend:er Remix)?
The original track was composed and performed by Eudoxia Vervain, a classical piano-trained solo artist. It was a song on the gravity of suicide. She said that one of her friends who heard it believes that it will help not only those who have attempted suicide, but also those who are contemplating suicide. My remix version is a mixture of classical, cinematic tension, experimental electronics, ambient noise and cut-up spoken word.
I heard that it is now being played on a net radio?
On Joko Jun Net Radio, an independent Filipino Internet radio based in Canada. Electronic music is being played every Thursday and Friday. To request the song you may send an e-mail to webmaster@jokojun.com.
By the way, I am open to collaborations and remix projects. It would be interesting to have collab/remix projects with indie pop, hardcore, shoegaze or ethereal bands. If there are also indie film makers who need soundtracks or someone to do the sound design for their film projects, they can contact me via e-mail also.
What do we expect from Blend:er?
Lately, I’ve been doing some personal tracks dedicated to my girlfriend, who is now in California. She just left last January. It is my way of transcending distance and telling how I love her. There is a nice feeling when you create music for a loved one. It is so unique and personal because it is not something that you just buy from a store.
For projects, watch out for an international compilation coming soon. Aside from gigs, I will also work with some film makers, animators and visual artists for studio projects.
I’m also planning to release an EP this year. I am thinking of creating more touching and uplifting music. I remember what some people say about Mozart and Beethoven. They say the Mozart can bring a listener to heaven, while Beethoven can bring down heaven to the listener. It would be nice to create that feeling within the context of electronic music production. It is like creating a divine connection and bringing back all the glory to God. I believe in the Parable of Talents. We are all stewards of talents and skills given to us. We have to unfold, hone it and bring something back. I wish to create tracks that would leave something to a listener, and add more to life. It is similar to a cinematic experience, like bringing in your heart and soul something for the rest of your life after listening to the music.
Thank you Blend:er! Any parting words?
Thank you very much to Overtune Project! Cheers for you! If anyone wants to learn more about electronic music, experimental noise, and sound art or if you want to check out other artists, feel free to join Electronica Manila Yahoo Groups or S.A.B.A.W. Yahoo Groups.
Check out also the gigs and events organized by S.A.B.A.W., New Media Arts Manila (NMAN), Experimentation in Sound Art Tradition (E.X.I.S.T.), Chris Manifesto of Circa 1849 and LOCALl://e! Lastly, let us keep the bayanihan spirit alive. Let us love our country and take care of the environment. Thanks again!
Link Multiply: blend:er
Link Myspace: blend:er
Location: Cavite, Philippines
1 comment:
Panalo! Mabuhay ka Cris (Blend:er)
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