Interstellar Outness

Course Description

Summary

Interstellar is defined as a vast region within galaxies and between stars. How do we as musicians connect to this interstellar region metaphorically, spiritually, or sonically through our music? Many musicians, such as John Coltrane, David Bowie, Sun Ra, Pink Floyd, Kraft Work, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Winwood and many others, have explored this idea of interstellar space through their practice of pushing the extremes of electro-acoustic limitations beyond traditional means through using unconventional techniques on their instruments, exploring psychedelic musical concepts, and manual manipulation of sound recordings in a studio setting. All of these approaches have been used as a springboard to jettison into interstellar space. Students will select works from this genre as well as compose collectively in class using some of the concepts that many artists used in their explorations of psychedelia sans drugs. Musicians should be skilled and able to communicate on their instrument or their voice some facsimile of their understanding of psychedelic music. Genres this course will explore  include, but not limited to; trance, electronic, noise, minimalism, metal, acid, stoner, and rage to name a few.