About the author
Whether you went out last weekend to check out an uber-geeky beat magician or a depressingly awesome indie rock band, we all know there’s always some serious musical talents rocking around the Dam. You might not recognize them all yet, but don’t worry, you will soon. In this series of interviews we talk to remarkable artists about their music and their inspirations.
Daniel Schotsborg and I meet in Hutspot and immediately find out that we have something in common: we wish we’d have different lives at the same time (or just more time) so we could take better advantage of the interesting possibilities that life has to offer. He’s a busy man indeed. I asked him about his project where he produces electronic music and performs live as Anthoni Logos. On the side he produces music for commercials and movies, works on his PhD and plays the bass in band Koffie as well. And he sometimes eats and sleeps.
Does the fact that you were schooled at the Conservatorium influence your electronic music?
“Yeah, in a negative way actually. Live music is very different than electronic music, which exists because of technology, not musicians. I used to think my education would help me because I knew a lot about music already but there are different rules and I had to unlearn a lot of things. Like not working with a song structure with an couplet and verse. Electronic music has an intro with just a beat and in the beginning I found this really strange. When I became able to think as DJ everything changed. It’s a different context and it was a huge switch. Rhythm and sound play a bigger role than melody and harmony. I also had to develop my taste. I didn’t know that much about electronic music in the beginning even though I found it really cool.”
Why did you decide to make electronic music besides your band? Was it an economic reason because dance is so big right now?
“No not at all. The bass was my entry to learn to play the piano and music composition and production. I just want to do everything that has to do with music. I didn’t want to limit myself to the bass so I started producing. This movement is developing the most right now; rock, soul and funk are already completed. Electronic music uses elements from those but takes music to another level through technology, it’s the music of the future.”
I believe that if you go back to the natural the listener will return to its natural state as well.
Does the fact that you started with playing bass influence your music?
“Yeah, the bass just has to be right. It’s an important part of it, it happens automatically. I learned that in electronic music the bass doesn’t always have to be complex though.”
You’re researching brainwaves for your PhD. Tell me more.
“My research is about the way sound influences the brain. I want to make an interactive brain sound system where brain activity could be translated to sound, and the sound in turn influences the brain, creating a feedback loop. I measure how sounds can help you focus, meditate and sleep objectively with neurological feedback. In the future, when I have more time, I would like to integrate biosensors at events that let visitors influence the music they hear.”
You produce electronic music on A4 = 432 hertz in natural harmonic tuning. Can you explain what this means for those who aren’t music nerds?
“Nowadays the dominant tuning system in the west is actually an unnatural tuning system. It’s called equal temperament and it was chosen about 100 years ago because it was more practical to work with. Natural harmonic pureness is sacrificed because of this system but because of new technology it’s easier to work with original natural tunings again. Nature didn’t build the attributes of sound on these natural mathematical relations for nothing, so why not work with them and see what effect it has on the listener?”
You use this system because of philosophical reasons right?
“In Equal temperament every sound is equally a little out of tune. Now we’re used to that because it’s the norm. People will have to get used to the natural tuning again. I believe that if you go back to the natural the listener will return to its natural state as well. So many people live outside themselves because of the daily rut and automatism that they don’t even realize they exist.”
Will you test this with your brainwave research as well?
“The equipment to test this is extremely expensive. It could be that there’s no difference in the brain or that it’s like expensive wine. The taste experience is the same as the cheaper wine but the brain enjoys the expensive kind more. I hope I can contribute a little in bringing people back to the center of their being. If it turns out it doesn’t work, I hope that it works at least as a placebo.”
Do you read a lot of philosophy?
“Yeah, from Western to Oriental. I used to be a Rozenkruiser. I was part of a mystical school where they teach you things about everything you can’t see with your bare eyes, such as consciousness and magnetism for example. I think that the synthesis of the spiritual and science world can help us move forward.”
Are you planning on playing live only or are you going to do sets as well?
“I’ll play sets for fun on after parties and stuff. I really like DJing but there are so many DJs out there already. I want to bring something new. Because of my band I’m used to making my own music and performing that and playing live gives me more and deeper creative freedom.”
What kind of electronic music do you listen to?
“Floating Points is my idol. He’s busy with a PhD as well, a really complicated one. He’s so successful with his music and as a composer; I don’t know how he does it. I have nothing but respect for that. I also listen to Life and Death a lot, Mind Against is great and I like Avatism as well.”
Feature image by Tom ten Seldam.
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