The veteran woodwind master joins the podcast to discuss 'Looms & Legends,' his approach to making "ugly and out of tune" multiphonics musically useful, and why curiosity remains essential to both artistic practice and human empathy.
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Ned Rothenberg just released his first solo album in thirteen years, *Looms & Legends*, and it shows why he's been called America's most intimate composer and improviser. Ned’s improvisations and compositions showcase his use of extended techniques such as circular breathing and multiphonics, while others tell stories through melody. He calls it music for an imaginary culture - sounds that feel indigenous to a place that doesn't exist yet.
Ned shared his views on the nature of experimental music, the role of art in society, the importance of personal artistic expression, and his interest in exploring what goes on between jazz musicians during the act of creation. And this summary barely scratches the surface.
(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Ned Rothenberg's album 'Looms & Legends')
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[00:01:28] Why now for a solo record after 13 years
[00:04:28] The prolific vs. the finished: approaches to releasing music
[00:06:39] Looms and Legends: sonic fabric vs. narrative storytelling
[00:10:36] Developing a personal musical language and vocabulary
[00:11:31] Extended techniques: circular breathing and multiphonics
[00:16:41] The indigenous sound of an undiscovered country
[00:17:19] Future primitivism as organizing principle
[00:18:42] Pulse, dance, and grounding experimental music
[00:21:19] Archetypal musical elements and universal expression
[00:23:13] Future primitivism: musical philosophy and political theory
[00:27:00] Can experimental music make political statements?
[00:30:30] Making art in bizarre times: justification and purpose
[00:32:56] Art as spiritual survival and staying sane
[00:35:29] The radical nature of boundary-pushing music
[00:39:16] Audience, limitations, and the boundaryless artist
[00:40:18] Recording and listening to yourself as audience
[00:43:16] Reaching audiences: weirdos up late at night
[00:47:42] Discovery over ranking: the anti-sports model of music
[00:48:37] Lists, rankings, and apples vs. oranges
[00:48:54] What are you curious about now?
[00:49:24] Curiosity as precursor to empathy
[00:51:56] Georgian and Armenian choral music explorations
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Visit Ned Rothenberg at https://www.nedrothenberg.com
and follow him on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/ned.rothenberg
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/nedrothenbergmusic
and Bandcamp → https://nedrothenberg.bandcamp.com
Purchase Ned Rothenberg's 'Looms & Legends' from Pyroclastic Records → https://pyroclasticrecords.com/release/looms-legends
Bandcamp → https://nedrothenberg.bandcamp.com/album/looms-legends
or Qobuz → https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/looms-legends-ned-rothenberg/dx5toj4921lyb
and listen on your[ streaming platform of choice → https://album.link/i/1815354306
For extensive show notes, links, and podcast information, go to https://podcast.thetonearm.com
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