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SENSITIVE CHAOS – interview and video from NoPHEST
www.beatlanta.com – photo by Nathan Honnold
We caught up with Sensitive Chaos after NoPhest a couple weeks back and managed to get an interview with the act. Sensitive Chaos is an IDM DJ act utilizing the latest in mixing tech. He also occasionally has guests playing instruments like saxophone, guitar and syths. I wasn’t able to make it out to NoPhest but our newest photographer addition Nathan Honnold took some great and intimate pics and me and Chris got this interview together.
from myspace.com/sensitivechaos – Sensitive Chaos live at electro-music 2008, Aug 15, in Kingsport, TN. Photos by Hong Waltzer.
Sensitive Chaos mixes ambient and smooth electronic sounds together to produce a soft and laid back concept on IDM. The music soothes and promotes good times, good feelings and inspiration. Some of it reminds me of early Moby and other songs make me think of old Japanese rpg games from the original nintendo; both are equally amazing in their intricacy and simplicity, and Sensitive Chaos incorporates them both. His sound is deep and eloquent…his interview below insightful and wise…
You can catch Sensitive Chaos at Kavarna on Sept 12, Oct 10, and Nov 14 for Kavarna’s City Skies 09 Electronic Music nights. Here is a video…
Here is an interview:
When did Sensitive Chaos form? Tell me a little about Sensitive Chaos and your goals as a band?
I formed Sensitive Chaos back in 2005 when I started creating some chill out music that didn’t fit into the electronic music duo I was performing in at the time. I also had acquired a MIDI sequencer specially designed for live performance (the Sequentix P3) that allowed me to spontaneously compose and improvise this downtempo music in realtime at gigs, then bring the sequences back to the studio to arrange and refine and record. So while alot of bands compose in the studio and play the songs live over and over and over, I compose at the gigs and record in the studio. Each live performance is a brand new piece.
What instruments do you play?
My current live rig for Sensitive Chaos is centered around a nearly vintage Roland JD-800 synthesizer which I run the audio into a Lexicon Jamman 32 second looper and the MIDI into the Sequentix P3 sequencer. The P3 then drives MIDI loops into Roland JV-1080 and Novation Super Nova synth modules. The P3 also clocks to Korg Electribe ER-1 and ESX-1 drum machines. And on occasion, I use a Roland Vintage Synth module with a small MIDI keyboard, a melodica, an electric kalimba, and hand percussion. I’ve got some other vintage keyboards, guitars, and noise makers in my home studio.
What are the names of any current albums? Who produced them?
My most recent release came out in February 2009 on the Subsequent Records label and it’s entitled Emerging Transparency. My first release is called Leak and came out in November 2006. Both releases have received airplay on college, public, and internet radio stations, including WRAS and WREK here in Atlanta, Public Radio International’s syndicated Echoes program, and internet stations Space Station Soma, cliqhop IDM, and Stillstream.com. The albums can be bought on iTunes, Amazon.com, or CD Baby.
How often do you practice?
I have a Fender Rhodes piano right next to my studio chair, so am constantly practicing scales and chords. But I usually only “practice” for a gig by deciding on my sounds and drum machine patterns a day or two before a gig.
What other local bands would you recommend to your fans and fans of local area music?
There are so many! In the electronic vein, reklein, citizenGreen, The Secret Life, Indigovox, Klimchak, Random Rabbit, recompas, Kevin Spears, Duet for Theremin & Lap Steel, Don Hassler & Jason Butcher, The Fabric, Broken Symmetry, Elbo Jones, Suicide Lane, tay0 have all impressed me with their music, but also because they’re just great people. And Richard Devine is probably our most world renowned electronic musician from Atlanta at the moment, and also one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.
How do you find the Atlanta scene? Has it been kind to Sensitive Chaos?
I travel in both electronic and alternative circles, and find the scene very welcoming and supportive in Atlanta. Like anyplace, you have to make your own opportunities and work hard to stand out above the crowd. But Atlanta has been incredibly fertile ground for me to network and grow as a musician. I’ve been lucky to find the right people with open ears and a willingness to try new things and embrace what I’m trying to do. People from other parts of the country have told me they wished their town was as inviting.
What’s your favorite venue to play in Atlanta?
I like them all. I play most often at Kavarna in Decatur and like their living-room vibe. But I also like EyeDrum, Java Monkey, The Earl, and WonderRoot.
How do you advertise your shows?
I’ve gone to a mostly social media promo route; Facebook, MySpace, Twitter. And my sensitivechaos.com website.
How do you feel about the future of the music industry?
There’s a lot of unknowns about the future of the music industry but also a world of opportunity for those that will figure out what the new world order is going to be. I’ve been working in “the business” for 30 years and I’ve never felt better about young or up and coming musicians being able to survive and thrive to get their music heard. But the industry as a whole is in a huge transformation at the moment and how that will shake out is anyone’s guess. The bottomline, as it has always been, is to get as many fans as possible, and to make them as happy as possible doing what makes you as happy as possible.
How do you feel about file sharing? Do you feel that it’s detrimental to the industry or do you find it a good thing – to help more people hear more music?
I believe that copyright holders should determine how their music should be distributed. I have 16 hours of music that folks can download from my website that is available for free or a small donation if they like. But both of my albums are only available through paid venues like iTunes or Amazon. So, as an artist, I advocate file sharing to increase exposure for my work, but I also advocate that some of my music should be paid for. I need both of those things to happen to keep doing music.
How do you feel about the RIAA suing people for file sharing and their new plan to cut off internet service to people file sharing?
Personally, I believe it is an ineffective strategy to combat piracy, but I also understand that the RIAA is an association operating on behalf of record labels, and at this point, they have painted themselves into a corner and have few options besides the legal one left to use. When the business gets transformed, the strategy the RIAA takes will also transform. Until that time, things might get ugly.
Any closing statements?
Thanks for the coverage of local music and appreciate the photos of my set!
Emerging Transparency CD (released February 14, 2009) – Click to stream or buy album
Leak CD cover (released August 14, 2006) – Click to stream or buy album
