Name: Dominik Grenzler aka An Moku, Nicolas Streichenberg aka Yes It's Ananias
Occupation: Sound artists, composers, instrumentalists
Nationality: Polish (Dominik), Swiss (Nicholas)
Recent release: An Moku & Yes It's Ananias team up for Fluxus Verve.

If you enjoyed these thoughts by An Moku & Yes It's Ananias and would like to find out more about their work, visit their respective websites: An Moku; Yes It's Ananias. We also recommend our earlier interview with them about “the 70s as Inspiration, Fluxus, and the Return of Disco in 2050.”



The past is mentioned as a source of inspiration specifically in the press release. Why is music such a great tool for traveling towards the heart of the past?

D: Like music, the arts in general, such as literature, gastronomy, painting and the performing arts, are a medium. It is a tool with the help of which “a product” can be created. Depending on how receptive we are or how strong this product is, it has the power to do something with us.

In this case, it is music that can trigger something. Be it memories of conversations, or general events. Images are created in the mind, which in turn can evoke smells and colours in some people. These are very strong connections.

A very close friend of mine sees colours because of the synaptic neural connections in her brain. I always have her listen to my music beforehand to be sure that a desired colour scale has been hit.

For me personally, hearing, followed by tasting, triggers the most intense memories. In my case, even more than the sense of sight.

N: In a very observative and biological way it is nothing but magic. It’s molecules within the air that are crossing towards our eardrums, which in turn vibrates and in a very effective way pours signals into our brain.

Connectionwise in there, we kind of like a supercomputer, calculate these vibrations as electrobiological ones and zeros. It occurs to our senses that certain chemicals will be released and then, only then, our body reacts. Our nervous systems are genuinely thriving for such highs. Many chemicals are being released, and this is what makes our body respond in a certain way mostly.

Each and every nerve in our system genetically reacts to these impulses. Which is why we have learned to deal and systematically put feelings into boxes and live mostly after them. Or else; God is not here to be understood or seen, but felt. It’s a way of purest communication. Music is the way to connect wether we want it or not. It does something to our body.

I was in a rockband once and played a sold out clubshow to a community of deaf people. It was the most cheerful applause and energy within thankfulness they gave towards us artists.

Only vibrations. Pure physical energy.

Why is the past a great reservoire of inspiration for the present and future? Is it just a case of everything old is new again – or is there more at play here?

D: Is there more at play here? That is a good question. In general, we learn from our teachers. We adapt to be able to stand on our own two feet later. That is the way of things. Looking back, we look at hundreds of years of progressive human history. That is a well of knowledge.

But what will come in the future? Do you know? Can you foresee that? It’s a smart move to pick up on the past or the forgotten.

Thanks to sophisticated marketing, the result surprisingly always seems fresh and even sensationally new (with exceptions). In my mid-40s, I always see trends emerging. Time doesn’t pass; it comes back, they say. Only no longer as it used to be, but assimilated. Into the now.

So, yes, I am convinced that we draw fully from the past.

N: Since wheels are constantly recreated and developed, music can be a parallel universe to it. The past and the future are holding hands all the time. The warmth within these paws' collaboration is the present. Music has always been around or among us. Pre-human.

The earth even rotates within it’s massive plates and it’s a very “DRONE” sub-sound around 0-1Hz. It would be awesome if we even could record it and upscale, pitchshift it to hear what mother earth is trying to tell us. Probably “don’t push too hard I’m working here”.

In our live performances, we would like to invite the listener and viewer to do the same. React and observe how we come across and craft our vibrations or sounds.

It can surprise oneself when we try to really connect to the future within time. The body is quicker than our thoughts as our movements are reflections of what our brain tells us to do. Yet we have souls and I certainly believe it can grow.

And when you mix soul and brain together you let each steer and create the momentum which we all feel excited about during a live concert. Something that seems very unique to us yet feels bonding to whoever was in the room or area.

That is what feels so absolutely gorgeous about music. Different perceptions hold a gigantic variety of responding events. Yet everyone heard or saw the same. Artists create stories, stories enrich everyone’s individual lives’.

What do we actually hear when we’re listening to music from the past, what do we actually see when we’re looking at photos or watching films from the past? Is it actually the past or a shifted sense of the present?

N: One of my favourite words is Nostalgia. It brings a smile to my face as it’s something that says “long gone but not forgotten”. It is such a positive word for “things that are no longer yet are being lived or rebrought to today’s reality.”

Nostalgia can be a quick thing, too. Doesn’t need 160 years passing of time or such. Remember the iPhone 3? Nostalgia.

D: Just like Nicolas, I like the word Nostalgia. I describe myself as a rational nostalgic. I don’t know much about the current music scene, but I can tell you what was hot 20 years ago!

Joking aside. I’ve already answered this question. To put it in a nutshell: For me, these are strong memories.

“Time doesn’t pass, it returns” is a great track title from the album. But what does it mean?

N: It is literally something we wanted to represent. The love for George Lucas’ Star Wars Films. Like Return of the Jedi. It’s not the end though. Maybe .

D: “Time doesn’t pass; it returns” - I took that from a book I read last year while recording our album. Nagori - The longing for the season that has passed us by, by Ryoko Sekiguchi.

“Nagori” is the taste of impending farewell and the longing to return. The book is a literary, culinary and cultural journey of 115 pages. I thank the author for the inspiration.