When my mind is rushing at a mile a minute, I find that it helps to add more nonsense. The least cohesive music allows me to focus on the things that need my utmost attention, and I know I am not alone in this. Drone, ambient, experimental: call it whatever you want. To me, it’s a relief.
<a href=“http://casparsonnet.bandcamp.com/album/signals”>Signals by Caspar Sonnet / Jean-Paul Jenkins</a>
The newest experimental record on my radar is from the likes of Caspar Sonnet and Jean-Paul Jenkins. Sonnet is an LA-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has an impressive background, though it doesn’t quite paint the full picture. He has performed with YACHT, had a residency at REDCAT Studios, and performed at MOCA, but the best indication of his artistry lies in his previous releases. His eclectic songwriting influences include Native American mythology, pre-war blues, Kabuki theatre, and others. Jean-Paul Jenkins, a recently minted Angeleno, has been around the block as well, as part of groups such as Choobie and the Bubbles, The Gringo Stars, and Cexfucx. With Jenkins’ background in pleasant dissonance, improvisation, music for bikes, sound baths, fake “ethnic” music, real “folk” music, fake “jazz” music, and so much more, this collaborative release is a drone experiment I can get down to.
And by “get down,” I mean quietly enjoy when I need to be alone. The steel guitar is a wondrous instrument that I’ve been enamored with lately, and it is prominent throughout the record, especially on two of my favorites, “Hata-jirushi” and “Saihai.” The latter might be my number one, with rhythms that swell and fade like a sea of drone.
<a href=“http://casparsonnet.bandcamp.com/album/signals”>Signals by Caspar Sonnet / Jean-Paul Jenkins</a>
Pick up this record on Bandcamp and play it when you feel overwhelmed. Multi-tasking is easiest when white noise, or rather, this glorious ambient-drone, can help you through. See also: Drone Day (May 28th!).
Sawdust & Gin 