Elemental States
by Joe Evans
-
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital AlbumIncludes unlimited streaming of Elemental States via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.ships out within 7 daysedition of 50
£5.99 GBP or more
-
-
Streaming + DownloadIncludes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.Purchasable with gift card
£3.99 GBP or more
-
Full Digital Discography
Get all 11 Runningonair releases available on Bandcamp and save 50%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Ceres, B.A.U., Conspiracy Theory, 4 Track Tapes 85-86 Gold Edition, 4 Track Tapes 85-86, Elemental States, Septimal, Affected Piano, and 3 more.
Purchasable with gift card£22.23 GBP or more (50% OFF)
1. |
Fire - 7 - Plasma
10:29
|
|||
2. |
Earth - 2 - Solid
10:20
|
|||
3. |
Water - 5 - Liquid
10:58
|
|||
4. |
Air - 3 - Gas
10:32
|
|||
5. |
Aether - 11 - Virtual
10:19
|
about
The analogy between the 4 classical elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire) and the 4 states of matter (Solid, Liquid, Gas, Plasma) when highlighted, is fairly clear to see. The idea has always fascinated me, inviting some form of musical response.
At the same time, I have become increasingly interested in the idea that intervals based on the same prime number may have similar characteristics in the way that they are interpreted by the mind. For example 5ths, 4ths and 9ths sound similar, having a structural or even an architectural quality and all share 3 as a common factor. The same can be said of Major and Minor 3rds and 6ths, the classic happy and sad intervals, which share 5. Even to non-musicians the octave, which has the closest relationship of them all, a factor of 2, sounds like the same note even though they are not. The question of whether these relationships are as clear in ratios of 7 or 11 is something I have increasingly wanted to explore.
While considering these two ideas independently, it occurred to me that it might be possible to metaphorically pair numbers and intervals with states and therefore link the character of the intervals with the character of the state, as follows:
Earth 2 Solid, Air 3 Gas, Water 5 Liquid, Fire 7 Plasma.
It should be noted that there is nothing innately linking any one number to a particular state and in the case of “Earth” the timbre of the sounds dictates the harmony of the piece more than the notes themselves but the relationship is stated more obviously through rhythmic devices.
The final 5th element, Ether, is somewhat of an aberration, being supposedly the material making up the “heavens” and having no equivalent as a state of matter in nature. It has however been hugely influential as an idea, lending its name to one of the most widely used communications technologies, Ethernet. This technology forms part of the bedrock of the virtual world we know as the Internet. Whilst the first four elements used only acoustic sounds with no artificial reverberation, the last element is created synthetically, perhaps reflecting an imagined virtual state of matter, hence:
Ether 11 Virtual.
Apart from Ether, all of the pieces consist of two sound sources, household objects made of glass or metal, and environmental field recordings collected over the last 30 years. Quite a few of these recordings were captured on cassette in the 1980s and have not been used since then.
Like the pieces themselves, the title “Elemental States” is an amalgam and, as far as I can tell, not a scientific term. The concept of the classical elements has been explored in many ways artistically and spiritually through the years and has become embedded in mysticism both old and new. While I certainly hope the listener will connect emotionally or even spiritually to the work, it should be made clear that it is not inspired by spiritual ideas.
At the same time, I have become increasingly interested in the idea that intervals based on the same prime number may have similar characteristics in the way that they are interpreted by the mind. For example 5ths, 4ths and 9ths sound similar, having a structural or even an architectural quality and all share 3 as a common factor. The same can be said of Major and Minor 3rds and 6ths, the classic happy and sad intervals, which share 5. Even to non-musicians the octave, which has the closest relationship of them all, a factor of 2, sounds like the same note even though they are not. The question of whether these relationships are as clear in ratios of 7 or 11 is something I have increasingly wanted to explore.
While considering these two ideas independently, it occurred to me that it might be possible to metaphorically pair numbers and intervals with states and therefore link the character of the intervals with the character of the state, as follows:
Earth 2 Solid, Air 3 Gas, Water 5 Liquid, Fire 7 Plasma.
It should be noted that there is nothing innately linking any one number to a particular state and in the case of “Earth” the timbre of the sounds dictates the harmony of the piece more than the notes themselves but the relationship is stated more obviously through rhythmic devices.
The final 5th element, Ether, is somewhat of an aberration, being supposedly the material making up the “heavens” and having no equivalent as a state of matter in nature. It has however been hugely influential as an idea, lending its name to one of the most widely used communications technologies, Ethernet. This technology forms part of the bedrock of the virtual world we know as the Internet. Whilst the first four elements used only acoustic sounds with no artificial reverberation, the last element is created synthetically, perhaps reflecting an imagined virtual state of matter, hence:
Ether 11 Virtual.
Apart from Ether, all of the pieces consist of two sound sources, household objects made of glass or metal, and environmental field recordings collected over the last 30 years. Quite a few of these recordings were captured on cassette in the 1980s and have not been used since then.
Like the pieces themselves, the title “Elemental States” is an amalgam and, as far as I can tell, not a scientific term. The concept of the classical elements has been explored in many ways artistically and spiritually through the years and has become embedded in mysticism both old and new. While I certainly hope the listener will connect emotionally or even spiritually to the work, it should be made clear that it is not inspired by spiritual ideas.
credits
released September 30, 2015
All music composed by Joe Evans
All music composed by Joe Evans
license
all rights reserved
tags
about
Runningonair UK
Outlet for the music of Joe Evans / Runningonair.
discography
-
Sep 2023 -
Jul 2022 -
Jun 2021 -
May 2020 -
May 2020 -
Nov 2017 -
Sep 2015 -
Jul 2010 -
Oct 2009 -
May 2012 -
Mar 2013 -
Oct 2012
contact / help
If you like Elemental States, you may also like:
-
An Unintended Space
by Stijn Hüwels & Danny Claysupported by 8 fans who also own “Elemental States”
go to album -
Sounds of a New Father
by Olan Millsupported by 8 fans who also own “Elemental States”
go to album -
supported by 8 fans who also own “Elemental States”
first listen and I'm blushing at the deep calm and beautiful musicality of this set... will be on repeat for sure...
go to album -
On his latest LP, Buffalo, NY artist Jeff Stadelman creates rippling electronic compositions that crackle and weave.
go to album -
Nightports w/ Tom Herbert
by Nightports w/ Tom HerbertClose listening invites pensive immersion into these abstracted and atmospheric soundscapes created with a double bass.
go to album -
Nightports w/ Betamax
by Nightports w/ BetamaxAdam Martin & Mark Slater team with drummer Betamax of The Comet is Coming for a thrilling, rhythm-intensive workout.
go to album -
Beneath The Bark
by Bamboo Stiltssupported by 8 fans who also own “Elemental States”
go to album
