Thomas Brett
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On Microthoughts
Autumn by airport, hearing sounds of flight and roar, far away pleasure. Continue reading
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Headphones As Fashion Fetish: A Beats By Dre Exhibit In Times Square
It was here and gone in a day, but I couldn’t quite figure it out: a promotional tent for Beats By Dre headphones for which people were lining up to get inside. What was inside? As far as I could tell, an opportunity to try on headphones in different colors and have your photograph taken… Continue reading
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On Modular Grid Structures: Thinking Through Sol LeWitt’s Cubes
I recently saw a striking cube-based structure by Sol LeWitt (1928-2007) at the MoMa. When you stand in front of it and take it in, the work works on multiple perceptual levels. Here are few things that I noticed: one large (about 5 by 5 foot) and shallow three-dimensional square; twenty-five smaller (1 by 1… Continue reading
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On Flavors, Tastes, Sound And Perception: Thinking Through Ruhlman’s Twenty
“Clear your way. Always be thinking.” – Michael Ruhlman, Ruhlman’s Twenty First, let me say the obvious: if you like to cook and want to know more about the science and craft of cooking, you’ll probably enjoy Michael Ruhlman’s Ruhlman’s Twenty. The book provides much to think about by explaining fundamental techniques and ingredients in a sensible… Continue reading
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On Lessons From Long Distance Activities Which May Also Apply To Making Music
1. It doesn’t feel great at the beginning. 2. Take it slow at first. 3. Have a plan of action. 4. Add a little each week. 5. Allow time between sessions to recover. 6. The activity itself is discipline. 7. If possible, use the activity as an opportunity for exploration and adventure. 8. Alter your… Continue reading
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On Sounding A Bigger Energy: Mumford And Sons
When I first saw Mumford and Sons on Saturday Night Live recently I wasn’t sure what to make of them–which is my fault not theirs. They seem like a throwback to an acoustic bluegrass-folk-rock sound. No synthesizers, sequencers or drum machines, just acoustic guitar and bass, piano/organ, banjo and dobro, a horn section, sing-song group… Continue reading
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From The Archives: “Roadscape”
A few days ago a friend texts me an urgent musical request: “Send me roadscape” So I send it. *** About ten years ago I first tried my hand at sequencing and recording music on a computer. Back then, my Apple desktop machine was a blue- and silver-colored beast running Logic software. I also had… Continue reading
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On Voice, Authenticity, And Not Being Fake
In a recent online interview excerpted in The Guardian, musician and Portishead member Geoff Barrow discusses the idea of singing with a “fake” voice. Leading the pack in Barrow’s view is the late Amy Winehouse, a white singer who sang, some people say disparagingly, like a black jazz or soul singer from an earlier era–or… Continue reading
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On Music In Its Context: Noise Musicians Improvising In The Subway
The Union Square subway station in New York City is a pretty loud place. As the N, R, L, 4, 5, and 6 trains pull into the station there’s some serious, 90-plus decibel metallic screeching happening when the cars hit their breaks and come to a stop. Given this noisy soundscape, I was both surprised… Continue reading
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