Name: Martina Berther
Occupation: Bass player, composer
Nationality: Swiss
Recent release: Martina Berther's debut solo album Bass Works: As I Venture Into is out now via Martina's bandcamp store.

If you enjoyed this Martina Berther interview and would like to stay up to date with her music, visit her official homepage. She is also on Instagram, and Facebook.  

For a deeper dive, we recommend our earlier interviews with Martina Berther as part of her duo Ester Poly and her collaboration with Philipp Schlotter.



When I listen to music, I see shapes, objects and colours. What happens in your body when you're listening? Do you listen with your eyes open or closed?

When I listen with my eyes open, listening is usually active. I try to capture and enjoy details and nuances like form, dynamics, instrumentation, texture, etc., in the music. I am attentive and focused, reflecting on my emotional reaction to the music.

When I close my eyes, listening often becomes passive. The sounds activate my thoughts and creativity. Images form in my mind, a film unfolds, emotions awaken. A journey begins. I let everything happen.

This type of listening often has an even more positive effect on my emotional and mental well-being than active listening.

How do listening with headphones and listening through a stereo system change your experience of sound and music?

I enjoy listening with both headphones and through a stereo system, but each offers me different experiences.

With headphones, I immerse myself in an isolated world of sound. When I walk through the streets, an interesting mix emerges between my small world inside the headphones and the world outside.

When listening through a stereo system, I particularly enjoy the communal experience. Meeting with friends to listen to an album feels especially nice. It creates a connection between us.

Tell me about some of the albums or artists that you love specifically for their sound, please.

I love musicians such as Eliane Radigue, Annea Lockwood, Kali Malone, and Jessica Ekomane for their sound.



Do you experience strong emotional responses towards certain sounds? If so, what kind of sounds are these and do you have an explanation about the reasons for these responses?

My emotional reaction to a sound is highly dependent on my personal state, current mood, and sensitivity.

It is not always the same. On some days, I love noise, while on others, it can be too intense for me.

There can be sounds which feel highly irritating to us and then there are others we could gladly listen to for hours. Do you have examples for either one or both of these?

For example, I can listen to nature for a long time or to the music of Eliane Radigue.



I also enjoy listening to Lou Reed's Hudson River Wind Meditations because of its length. I think you can hear the composer's intention.



If, as a musician, I want the listeners to hear my music for an hour, I have to play it with that energy.

By the way, this is a task that really interests me as a musician.

Are there everyday places, spaces, or devices which intrigue you by the way they sound? Which are these?

In everyday life, I often seek out forests and bodies of water or other quiet places. I find these places fascinating because their sound calms my nervous system.

Do music and sound feel “material” to you? Does working with sound feel like you're sculpting or shaping something?

I often feel like I am practicing a craft.

Creating a sound on the electric bass can require a lot of energy. I frequently use tools to modulate and shape the sound. This often makes me feel like a sculptor or a painter.

In general, the haptic aspect of my music is very important to me.


Martina Berther Interview Image (c) the artist

How important is sound for our overall well-being and in how far do you feel the "acoustic health" of a society or environment is reflective of its overall health?

I believe that sound affects our emotional, mental, and physical health. I am what I hear, eat, and read. At least, that's how I feel in my body.

That's why I think a pleasant sound environment helps us avoid becoming desensitized, and it would certainly be valuable if we paid more attention to the acoustic space around us.

Sound, song, and rhythm are all around us, from animal noises to the waves of the ocean. What, if any, are some of the most moving experiences you've had with these non-human-made sounds?

The sound of the melting Morteratsch Glacier in Switzerland deeply moved me. Feeling and hearing this body-like mass of snow touched me. There is so much history in every drop.

Tinnitus and developing hyperacusis are very real risks for anyone working with sound. Do you take precautions in this regard and if you're suffering from these or similar issues – how do you cope with them?

When I am tired or stressed, I have more difficulty processing unwanted everyday noise. I try to respect my body's limits by seeking out quiet places in my daily life and, if necessary, using ear protection.

I don't have this problem at concerts, where I can comfortably take in the full experience. I love loud concerts by bands like Sun O)))).



We can surround us with sound every second of the day. The great pianist Glenn Gould even considered this the ultimate delight. How do you see that yourself and what importance does silence hold?

I love creating from silence.

Unfortunately, silence is so rare in our daily lives. But it fascinates me just as much as sound.