A collated series of pieces thematically constructed as textural sound sculptures as portrayed by a fictional broken tape machine focussing on ideas of surface noise, mechanical friction and failing media. This piece sees an analogy drawn between the tape machine and the entropic recall of human memory.
Having previously worked with vintage and faulty tape machines, I set about trying to capture the spirit of the medium. The physical, rhythmic movement of mechanical components, motor noise, scrapes made by the tape as it passes the playheads all play a part in in the overall sound image in addition to the actual displacement of oxide particles on aging tape itself.
The pieces have been constructed in digital modular synthesis with particular attention paid to textural depth and organic qualities not traditionally associated with the medium. The musical elements contained are all mournful, minor heavy sequences in an attempt to capture an autumnal requiem to the format.
a short video treatment for one of the movements