Name: Mike Parker
Nationality: American
Occupation: Producer, DJ
Current release: Mike Parker's new album Epilogue is out via Field Records.
Recommendations for Buffalo, New York: A good place to visit is the Albright Knox Art Gallery.

If you enjoyed this Mike Parker interview and would like to stay up to date with his music and live dates, visit him on Instagram, Soundcloud, bandcamp, and Facebook. 



Are there examples of minimalism in music – and outside of music - that impressed you early on?

I spent a good amount of time in my youth seeking out every science fiction and horror movie that I could gain access to. In those days, it was either at the movie theater or on TV (pre-internet). I often learned about these films by reading up on them in magazines such as Famous Monsters and Starlog.

I was always interested in the sound effects, especially if they were electronic. So, good examples of this are the sound effects in Forbidden Planet (1956).



The composers of this soundtrack provided both the sound effects and the music, sometimes blurring the definition between the two.

A single rich tonality can be musical, in my opinion.

Do you tend to find that, as many claim, “less is more?” Are the notes you don't play really as important as the ones you do play?

I probably relate to that idea more in visual art, such as the design of the Vietnam Memorial by Maya Lin.

Do you feel as that making music is a process of adding elements until it is done – or one where you chisel away pieces from something that is already there?

Technically, I use subtractive synthesis, so there are elements that are chiseled, as you say.

But I build the track additively, with a strong foundational base.

Many artists are becoming more minimalist in their music as the years go on, focusing on the “essence.” How is that for yourself and how would you describe your development in this regard?

When I was an undergraduate at Carnegie-Mellon University, I studied painting with Sam Gilliam, who was an abstractionist.

In both the way he taught art and the way he spoke about making it, there was always a focus on the abstract elements; color, form and recognizing the edges of the picture plane. Anything extraneous was to be avoided.

I think I understand his approach better now, as I get older. Also, that kind of focus probably complimented my path in electronic music.

What were some of the starting points for Epilogue?

Epilogue compiles the tracks I recorded during the Prologue years between 2011-2013.

Those were exciting times, when I met other like-minded artists like Cio D'or and I gained a wider audience.

How did a minimalist mindset possibly inform the creative process?

Well, one track called "Ringing Bass" was originally created for a planned DJ mix album (which was not completed.).



I made it with very sparse elements so that it could be layered with other tracks. The minimalism is prominent here, perhaps even more so in "Forward (The 5AM Mix)".



Do you like to set yourself limitations? If so, which were some of those limitations for the new pieces?

I use an 8 channel mixing board in my studio. If I'm using more sounds than that, I need to be careful.

What were some of the most important pieces of gear or instruments for this release?

Korg MS-20, Jomox XBase 09.

Reducing one's options and techniques often implies a different way of working with the materials. Tell me about yours, please.

Well, every sound has to be important, especially the bass line. In fact, I want the bass line to be the focus.

With so much incredible music instantly available, are you finding that you want to take it all in – or that you need to be more selective? How do you pick the music you really want to invest in?

There is so much production now that it's difficult to keep up. I need more time, just to listen.

It helps to have friends who are enthusiastic about new music. Sometimes, artists will send demos.

Would you say that minimalism extends into other parts of your life as well?

You wouldn't think that if you saw the clutter in my house. I need to organize!