In our second to last week of class we started by listening to more electronic genres. This time our focus was on a genre called breakcore. Breakcore music typically features rapid-fire beats, with tempos often exceeding 200 beats per minute. The genre is known for its heavy use of breakbeats, drum patterns sampled from funk, soul, and hip-hop tracks, which are then distorted and chopped up to create a frenetic, chaotic sound.
We listened to a number of artists including Clipping, Sophie, AJA Ireland and Igorrr. Following on from our intellectual discussions on the artists we delved into watching a documentary one the subject of breakcore. The documentary went heavily in depth showcasing a number of artists and their inspirations towards their sound, including how they achieved the tone they were looking for.
After our breakcore sessions we looked into another niche genre called industrial noise listening to Pharmakon and Haus Arafna. Although this music isn’t really my thing I can understand how the music can relate to the listener, really engaging with them on an emotional level. David Toop, the author of the Ocean of Sound book describes it like this:
Their nature was unprecedented – their intensity, volume, texture and shape – and so musical history should come to an end. The slow evolution of musical language had suffered a massive stroke, to be replaced by a vigorously healthy art of noises.
As part of our blog post we have been tasked with analysing a topic discussed during the class that sparked our interest. I have chosen to delve into the underground noise artist ‘House Arafna’.
Haus Arafna are an influential entity in the noise music scene. They are recognised for their unconventional and raw approach to their sound. Their compositions often go into dark, industrial themes, utilising distorted beats, eerie atmospheres, and haunting vocals to create a unique sonic landscape.
Their music utilises a sense of intensity and raw emotion that draws the listeners into a realm that feels both mesmerising and uncomfortable. They explore themes that resonate with the darker aspects of human existence, often evoking a sense of uneasiness and curiosity.
Their work challenges the traditional musical norms, crafting an experience that is both experimental and thought-provoking while heavily appealing to those with an interest in exploring unconventional music.
When listening to Haus Arafna I was reminded of an artist we had researched during a previous class called ‘Throbbing Gristle’. They share a similarity for pushing their sonic boundaries and exploring the dark side of sound. Both Haus Arafna and Throbbing Gristle incorporate unconventional techniques and themes into their music, contributing to the industrial scene.
Toop, David. “The Art of Noise – Tate Etc.” Tate, www.tate.org.uk/tate-etc/issue-3-spring-2005/art-noise. Accessed 23 Nov. 2023.