Hybrid label and collective, New York.
Cultivated Sound is a hybrid between a collective and label in Brooklyn, New York. We are focusing on showcasing artists locally and internationally. Our mission is constantly evolving as we strive to integrate programs with collaborators and residents. To cultivate music as sound and introduce new music breaking genres.
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CULTIVATED SOUND
CSS070: BOY HARSHER
[DJ Set]
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Text. Chamberlain ZhangCSS070: BOY HARSHER
[DJ Set]
CULTIVATED SOUND 071
CSS070 Boy Harsher the dark wave duo delivered a special mix for Cultivated Sound, we also are pleased to premiere “Invasion” from Augustus Muller (Gus from Boy Harsher) original score for “Hydra” produced by Four Chambers with an interview session. Film has been a very important medium to cross over with electronic music, Gus talked about his approach in scoring the film, how the project was generated, and comment on our current situation under global pandemic as a musician. This mix features cinematic soundscapes that generates visual narratives - sci-fi, dystopian, storytelling by utilizing both ambient and industrial tones and unusual sonic textures, presenting while redefining the boundaries between film and sound.
LISTEN TO
CSS070
WITH
BOY HARSHER
HERE
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BOY HARSHER IS AN AMERICAN ELECTRONIC GROUP BASED IN NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
OUR INTERVIEW WITH
BOY HARSHER
Is this your first time scoring a film? Can you tell us about the
films [Orgone Theory] and [Hydra] and the concept of this collaboration project? What were some instruments you had the most fun experimenting with for this score?
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When Vex approached me about this project, she pitched it as a sci-fi film. She referenced Claire Denis’ High Life as inspiration, which had just come out. We were both big fans.
With writing any kind of music, it’s important for me to try and give myself some restrictions. If I have too many options, I get lost. I limited myself and kept it to a few instruments. My big breakthrough with these films was when I focused on using location sound in as many ways as possible. For example the rythmic sound in ‘Hydra’ is created by looping and distorting the actual sound of the fuck machine.
films [Orgone Theory] and [Hydra] and the concept of this collaboration project? What were some instruments you had the most fun experimenting with for this score?
Image by Caroline Bonarde
BOY HARSHER: I actually got into music through movies. I would make the music and sound design for my video projects in college. I’ve worked on some other short films too.When Vex approached me about this project, she pitched it as a sci-fi film. She referenced Claire Denis’ High Life as inspiration, which had just come out. We were both big fans.
With writing any kind of music, it’s important for me to try and give myself some restrictions. If I have too many options, I get lost. I limited myself and kept it to a few instruments. My big breakthrough with these films was when I focused on using location sound in as many ways as possible. For example the rythmic sound in ‘Hydra’ is created by looping and distorting the actual sound of the fuck machine.
Film is a very interesting medium to cross over with electronic music. Can you describe to our listeners your creative process for this collaboration and what is your approach when scoring these two films that can be helpful for many producers?
BOY HARSHER: My approach is trying to stay as open as possible. It’s important to focus on what is best for the film, not making it sound like a Boy Harsher record.
What is the title “machine learning experiment” related to?
BOY HARSHER: Vex coined the title. I believe it has something to do with both films centering on a machine. Such as the orgone accumulator in “Orgone Theory”, and the fuck machine in “Hydra”.
What do you think is our role as musician under the global pandemic? And how did it influence us?
BOY HARSHER: My approach is trying to stay as open as possible. It’s important to focus on what is best for the film, not making it sound like a Boy Harsher record.
What is the title “machine learning experiment” related to?
BOY HARSHER: Vex coined the title. I believe it has something to do with both films centering on a machine. Such as the orgone accumulator in “Orgone Theory”, and the fuck machine in “Hydra”.
What do you think is our role as musician under the global pandemic? And how did it influence us?
Image by Caroline Bonarde
BOY HARSHER: Honestly, that’s a question I’ve been asking myself a lot lately. I think we’re all just trying to get through this. Even when the world isn’t falling apart, it can feel like being a musician is self indulgent or decadent. I’ve been listening to a lot of music recently and it’s been good to me. It motivates me, or relaxes me, or just helps cut into this constantly growing silence. So I can only hope that my music is helping someone in someway or another.
Boy Harsher just released a solo track R.O.V (New Beat Edit) which is a slow-motion version of R.O.V. (from Careful Deluxe Edition). Can you tell us about the session with Part Time Punks for KXLU 88.9FM in Los Angeles, CA? What instruments did you use and did you experiment with any new techniques?
BOY HARSHER: Funny story. R.O.V. is a bonus track on Careful, the deluxe edition vinyl, which is a 45. First time we listened to it, the player was accidently set at 33rpm. We were kinda blown away - it sounded cool. So, for our Part Time Punks session we brought the instrumental in, recorded it on tape, and then bounced it back slowed down to emulate that quality.
BOY HARSHER: Funny story. R.O.V. is a bonus track on Careful, the deluxe edition vinyl, which is a 45. First time we listened to it, the player was accidently set at 33rpm. We were kinda blown away - it sounded cool. So, for our Part Time Punks session we brought the instrumental in, recorded it on tape, and then bounced it back slowed down to emulate that quality.
BOY HARSHER: I think playing a million shows has had the biggest impact on us. We love to play and tour, so it was easy. We met so many people and bands and artists along the way that have become friends and collaborators. We remain inspired by our peers.
Next plans for Boy Harsher that you can share with fans?
BOY HARSHER: Studio, Studio, Studio.
CSS070 TRACKLIST
Rectum - Tom Bangalter (Irreversible)
Dying City - Jóhann Jóhannsson (And In The Endless Pause There Came The Sound Of Bees)
Lipstick to Void - Mica Levi (Under the Skin)
Driving Home - Charles Wain (The Last Wave)
P.T.O - Klaus Schulze (Body Love)
Bus Station - Tangerine Dream (Near Dark)
Main Title - Wendy Carlos & Rachel Elkind (The Shining)
Die Kathedrale der Bucher - Jürgen Knieper (Wings of Desire)
The Myth - Giorgio Moroder (Cat People)
Street War-In The Line of Duty Remix - Mark Snow (The X Files)
Black-Blue-White - Wang Chung (To Live and Die in LA)
The Imps Song - Bobby Prince (DOOM)
Assault on Precinct 13 - John Carpenter (Assault on Precinct 13)
Put Your Love In Me (Fade) - Tindersticks (Les Salauds)
Rectum - Tom Bangalter (Irreversible)
Dying City - Jóhann Jóhannsson (And In The Endless Pause There Came The Sound Of Bees)
Lipstick to Void - Mica Levi (Under the Skin)
Driving Home - Charles Wain (The Last Wave)
P.T.O - Klaus Schulze (Body Love)
Bus Station - Tangerine Dream (Near Dark)
Main Title - Wendy Carlos & Rachel Elkind (The Shining)
Die Kathedrale der Bucher - Jürgen Knieper (Wings of Desire)
The Myth - Giorgio Moroder (Cat People)
Street War-In The Line of Duty Remix - Mark Snow (The X Files)
Black-Blue-White - Wang Chung (To Live and Die in LA)
The Imps Song - Bobby Prince (DOOM)
Assault on Precinct 13 - John Carpenter (Assault on Precinct 13)
Put Your Love In Me (Fade) - Tindersticks (Les Salauds)
LISTEN TO MORE FROM BOY HARSHER
Careful Remixes, etc.
LISTEN HERE
Come Closer (Marcel Dettmann Acappella Remix) / Come Closer (Marcel Dettmann Remix) / Come Closer (Bonaventure Remix) / Come Closer (Original Mix) / Come Closer (Instrumental) / Tears (Silent Servant Remix) / Tears (Minimal Violence Remix) / Tears (Original Mix) / Tears (Instrumental) / LA (Rabit Remix) / LA (Original Mix) / LA (Instrumental)
R.O.V. (New Beat Edit)
LISTEN HERE
Unreleased track from the Part Time Punks session for KXLU 88.9FM in Los Angeles, CA. This song is a slow motion version of R.O.V. (from 'Careful Deluxe Edition'). Recorded by Be Hussey in his studio Comp-NY, in Glendale, CA, November 14th 2018.
MACHINE LEARNING EXPERIMENTS - LISTEN HEREAugustus Muller (AKA Gus from Boy Harsher) scored the movies ‘Orgone Theory’ and ‘Hydra’ as part of ‘Machine Learning Experiments’, a collaboration with Four Chambers, a collective self-described as “magical realism porn”, that pushes the boundries of art and pornographic material.
LATEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM BOY HARSHER
04282020.
Graphics by Emily Grant
CULTIVATED SOUND.