
This Track Contains Politics
The Culture of Sampling in Experimental Electronica
Hannes Liechti(Author)
Norient (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 22. September 2022
Book
354 pages
978-3-9525444-2-6 (ISBN)
Description
What does it mean to process field recordings from the Ukrainian war in an electronic music track? How can the sampling of an Armenian keyboard melody be read as a critique of traditional gender roles? And what does it say about voyeurism in our culture when a techno producer uses viral YouTube videos as the basic material of his compositions?
Across five detailed case studies, Hannes Liechti discusses the culture and politics of musical sampling from a new perspective. Giving particular attention to the reasons behind sampling processes, Liechti's in-depth analysis of sampling strategies by artists such as COOL FOR YOU and Lara Sarkissian shows that sampling political material, and sampling with political intentions reveals a complex net of contexts, meanings, and often deeply personal choices and creative decisions.
Offering tangible tools and concepts for further exploration of sample-based music, the book illustrates the potential of popular music to tell stories about the world, and it describes the habits, thoughts, and realities of the laptop producer, one of the core actors in 21st century music-making.
Reviews / Votes
Liechti's careful study is a welcome and needed contribution to our understanding of sampling as a central practice in the production of music - and of meaning. Grounded in ethnographic fieldwork and focusing on poetics rather than reception, this book steers clear of interpretive speculation about what certain samples might mean. With analytical rigor and nuance, and a laudable focus on non-commercial productions spanning various styles, Liechti foregrounds producers' perspectives as he examines a range of approaches to "political" sampling. Going beyond questions of what is being sampled and how it has been processed, Liechti's work crucially addresses why certain producers deliberately link sampling to politics. Wayne Marshall, Berklee College of MusicMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Switzerland
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Laien, Wissenschaflter*innen und Kulturschaffende, interessiert an Themen der Musikproduktion sowie kulturellen/politischen Hintergründen und Kontexten von aktueller Popmusik
Product notice
Klappenbroschur
Illustrations
57
Dimensions
Height: 23.5 cm
Width: 16.5 cm
Weight
633 gr
ISBN-13
978-3-9525444-2-6 (9783952544426)
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Author
Musikwissenschaftler
Hannes Liechti lebt als Musikwissenschaftler, Kurator, Kulturschaffender und Musikjournalist in Bern. Seit 2013 arbeitet er in verschiedenen Funktionen bei der Plattform für Musikrecherche Norient. 2015 vero¨ffentlichte er als Co-Autor das zweite Norient-Buch «Seismographic Sounds: Visionen einer neuen Welt». Liechti studierte Musikethnologie, -wissenschaft und Geschichte in Bern und Mu¨nchen.
Hannes Liechti lebt als Musikwissenschaftler, Kurator, Kulturschaffender und Musikjournalist in Bern. Seit 2013 arbeitet er in verschiedenen Funktionen bei der Plattform für Musikrecherche Norient. 2015 vero¨ffentlichte er als Co-Autor das zweite Norient-Buch «Seismographic Sounds: Visionen einer neuen Welt». Liechti studierte Musikethnologie, -wissenschaft und Geschichte in Bern und Mu¨nchen.
Content
Lists of Tables and Figures: 4
Acknowledgements: 6
-
1 Introduction: 9
-
Part I: Tools and Theory
2 Terminology and Methods: 35
3 The Analysis of Sample-Based Music: 83
4 The Fader of Visibility (FOV): 101
5 The Spider of Sampling Reasons (SSR): 109
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Part II: Case Studies
Introduction:
Five Sampling Strategies in Experimental Electronica: 146
6 "STABILIZED, YES!" by COOL FOR YOU: a Political Message: 149
7 "kenats" by Lara Sarkissian: a Political Signature: 177
8 "Libres" by Moro: Politicizing Sound: 201
9 "Perversas" by Eomac: Depoliticizing Sound: 223
10 "Methy Imbiß" by M.E.S.H.: Concealed Politics: 245
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Interlude: Field Notes
11 Inside the Factory: Observing Musical Production: 275
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12 Conclusions and Outlook: 297
-
Appendix
Glossary: 316
Interviews and Personal Communication: 319
List of References: 320
Sampling Definitions: 340
Index: 348