Part 2
From very deep/high/loud/quiet sounds to very long/short/simple/complex compositions - are there extremes in music you feel drawn to and what response do they elicit?
As a sound artist, I am deeply fascinated by the exploration of the diverse parameters of sound and music.
My interest lies in both production and contemplation, as every sonic aspect, whether it's frequency, duration, or texture, holds unique significance to me.
Could you describe your creative process on the basis of one of your pieces, live performances or albums that's particularly dear to you, please?
Vexillology is an album that delves deeply into tribalisms with dismantled rhythms whirring at the senses. It explores themes such as Afrofuturism, spirituality, and space through a polyrhythmic conversation across thirteen parts.
To me, this album is dear to my heart due to its ability to create a temporal and spatial realm for an imagined utopian equality across societies. By zooming in on phenomenological cultural practices and seeking the universal, it reflects a cosmology where music is a driving force for everything and everyone locked in a celestial dance.
My creative process for this album began with a profound exploration of tribal rhythms and cultural practices, especially those from sub-Saharan Africa and the Amazigh cultures of North Africa. I aimed to reappropriate often stereotyped images associated with the African continent by using percussive response as a means of deconstruction and reinterpretation.
A significant part of my approach was to explore the connections between tribal practices and sounds originating from the human body itself. I was inspired by the notion that early musical instruments were extensions of the body, and I delved into how tools developed from this organic origin. Body percussion, such as hand claps and foot stomps, reminded me of the experimental power of the human body and fueled the creation of musical instruments.
Drawing inspiration from Gnawa ceremonies and their musical-spiritual practices, I crafted the track "Purple Ambergis." I used samples of hypnotic and low-toned rhythms to capture the essence of Gnawa ceremonies, which employ music and dance as magico-spiritual therapies to invoke ancestral saints and spirits.
The creative process for Vexillology also led me to explore Amazigh cultural practices, notably the Ahwash. I sought to celebrate and reclaim these traditions in my music, acknowledging their significance in the history and culture of North Africa.
Do you conduct “experiments” or make use of scientific insights when you're making music?
My background as an engineer in new technologies, with a solid foundation in mathematics and physics, deeply influences my artistic practice. While this might not be directly evident in my Guedra Guedra project, which leans more towards anthropological work than hard science, my personal artistic projects under my name, Abdellah M. Hassak, often integrate computer science, mathematics, and physics.
I've undertaken various projects, such as installations or research, that explore the relationship between science and culture, such as science fiction in Arab and African imaginaries.
How does the way you make music reflect the way you live your life? Can we learn lessons about life by understanding music on a deeper level?
Music transcends linguistic and cultural barriers to evoke universal emotions and experiences. For me, music paves the way for new dialogues between cultures and countries around the world. It creates shared spaces where differences can be explored and celebrated.
A fundamental and essential lesson: music provides an opportunity to build bridges and strengthen human connections despite diversity.
The way I make music also reflects how I live. Just as in my artistic approach, I am open to experimentation and exploration in my everyday life. I approach challenges with curiosity and creativity, seeking to discover new perspectives and establish meaningful connections.
Do you feel as though writing or performing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?
I'm not particularly a coffee enthusiast, but I do enjoy drinking the one recommended by friends. On the other hand, for me, art lies in the way we accomplish things. I imagine that music embodies this artistic approach by allowing us to communicate with meaning and poetry.
Music provides a space for pure creativity, where emotions and thoughts can blend harmoniously. It allows us to convey things that words alone couldn't translate as deeply. In this way, it stands apart from more ordinary activities, as it is an artistic path for communicating feelings, stories, and experiences in a way that resonates deeply with listeners.
Every time I listen to "Albedo 0.39" by Vangelis, I choke up. But the lyrics are made up of nothing but numbers and values. Do you, too, have a song or piece of music that affects you in a way that you can't explain?
I believe that behind every song or musical composition, there are codes sent by the artist. I greatly appreciate it when an artist creates music with deep meaning and an underlying message. Every note, rhythm, and melody is carefully crafted to evoke specific emotions and communicate ideas.
Personally, I feel a strong emotional connection when I immerse myself in musical works that have been created with clear intention and artistic depth. This is what makes certain songs or compositions have such a powerful impact on me, even if their meaning may not be immediately obvious.
It's this mysterious and captivating aspect of music that can touch our souls in an inexplicable way.
If you could make a wish for the future – what are developments in music you would like to see and hear?
To be honest, if I could envision a piece for the future of music, it would be focused on rhythm. I believe there's still much to explore in the realm of rhythm, especially considering that current technology doesn't fully encompass the diversity of cultural rhythmic patterns. I envision a thorough exploration of rhythm that could not only help technology and machines adapt more nuancedly but also diversify further. This would contribute to igniting an even more fascinating and captivating musical revolution.
My hope would be that future developments in music incorporate a deeper understanding of rhythm and its cultural richness. Exploring these rhythmic nuances could open new pathways for musical creativity, enabling artists to authentically and innovatively blend traditional and modern elements.
