Sometimes, finding music that fits the mood turns into a quest for alteration.
After a show, especially a really big show like HIGH END Munich, I tend to yearn for peace, quiet, and thought-distracting noise. Our home in the woods of Hunterdon County and general lifestyle take care of the first two while music provides alteration. And I know of no better thought-distracting noise makers than Canada’s BIG|BRAVE. Their latest, OST released on Thrill Jockey in April, diverges from the band’s usual instrumentation.
From the liner notes:
In addition to forgoing their usual instrumentation, they notably built their own. Ball created a stringed instrument using piano strings simply called “The Instrument”. This instrument ended up becoming a central figure to the OST’s sound. Guitarist/vocalist Robin Wattie adds: “The strings Mathieu used for his instrument came from a discarded piano thatch that had been laying around in the hallway of my tattoo studio for ages.” The Instrument’s presence is felt throughout the record as a conductive element amplifying the album’s earthly, grounded nature.
In addition to The Instrument, we have Wurlitzer, Moog grandmother, piano, voice, electric guitar, bowed vibraphone, whirly tube, electronics, tape loops, and percussion. In addition to regular BIG|BRAVE band members Robin Wattie, Tasy Hudson, and Mat Ball, producer Seth Manchester joined in the music-making fun along with Melissa Guion on flute.
Billed as music for a movie that’s yet to be made, OST is the perfect soundtrack for anyone in search of deep immersion.