No Thanks, Not At This Time by The Elastic Ball is a melancholic electronic journey where melodic synth riffs intertwine with a trippy, atmospheric groove. Read our discussion with the talented producer below!
Describe your sound in 3 words
Eclectic, Elevated, Free
The title suggests a powerful message about boundaries and self-preservation. How did you translate the abstract concepts into concrete musical elements in your composition?
I’m a very generous person that doesn’t like saying ‘No’. When I need to enforce a boundary, my first attempt is usually very gentle and sometimes doesn’t establish that boundary clearly enough. The first half of the track represents this feeling of gently saying ‘no’. The internal feeling I get when I have to be more assertive is tense. I really don’t want to have to say ‘no’ but in order to maintain self respect and to be honest with myself and others, a more blunt refusal is needed. The rhythmic melodic components create that sense of tension and the ominous bass is my determined self hold steady during the inner conflict.
The piece hints at ‘kindness and firm self-protection, love and tough love’ Can you pinpoint particular sections or sonic elements where these nuanced dualities are most evident in the music?
The time signature is not typical for this style of music and establishes a circular feeling, rolling forward in a way. I wrote this in a minor key to convey the dark and conflicting internal struggle I experience. The instrumentation features some organic sounds and a filed recording of a wild elk that invokes a sense of kindness and truth, despite the minor key. As the song builds and the sound of the elk becomes more frequent and escalated, we transition into a build up of intertwining melodies and more frenzied rhythmic approach to represent the feeling of inner conflict I experience when I need to let someone down more bluntly. There’s a frustration involved that sort of transforms me from Mr. Nice Guy to maybe someone who could be interpreted as harsh or tough. The bass increases the tension with some subtle filtering while the staccato organ and flute lines weave over an intentional and driven clavinet rhythm. I think the quick tempo and the relaxed atmosphere also convey the duality of these emotions.
Given the emotional depth, what kind of listening experience do you hope to evoke in your audience with this piece? In which place of piece of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
I hope that listeners derive their own interpretations and enjoy the music on their terms. I imagine a listener feeling like they are in a natural environment, but not too far removed from urbanity. I imagine a listener feeling comfortable, but with a hint of discomfort that they can’t quite put their finger on. The track works very well when listening on headphones, with your eyes closed. It’s a personal experience for the listener and I think everyone who hears it will have similar yet very different experiences and interpretations. I hope it resonates with listeners’ emotions and that its uniqueness provides a peacefulness that means something special to everyone who enjoys it.
Artists and people that have influenced you?
My musical tastes are all over the map. As a keyboard player in dozens of bands over the years I have had the privilege of learning and preforming music across a huge variety of genres. From jam bands, to jazz, to rock, hip-hop, funk, and blues. So, to answer the question, I would say my biggest influences are Hebie Hancock, Grateful Dead, Keith Jarrett, Miles Davis, Frank Zappa, Apex Twin, Boards of Canada, The Orb and the list goes on. I am truly blessed to have an exposure and deep understanding of such a wide range of musical styles. Sometimes it’s a blessing, and other times a curse! It influences me to make music without the thought of genre, which gives me freedom. But at the same time, it can make it difficult to classify and not all audiences like to be surprise!
Which artist drives forward the IDM sound today?
Honestly I couldn’t tell you who is leading the charge. There is so much great music out there. I can say that I’ve really been enjoying u-ziq, Call Super, Tycho, Plaid, Autechre and James Holden lately. I’m just so happy to be constantly delighted by something new, creative and refreshing.
If the music of The Elastic Ball was a film, which film would that be?
That’s a tough questions, but mostly because I have a terrible memory for movies and tv. I can watch something and when it’s over I could barely tell you what happened, lol. That said, maybe a movie like The Wizard of Oz? It’s like a dream, with good and evil elements and other-worldly situations that could only exist in the imagination.
What is the story behind your name?
When I moved into my current house, for some reason I decided to start saving elastic bands from grocery shopping etc. I started balling them up, and now six years later that ball has become quite large and it’s getting more difficult to find a good place for it to live. Musically, I’ve been doing the same thing for years. I’ve been writing and recording, amassing terabytes of ideas and works in progress. That big old ball of music sitting on my hard drive was starting to itch and reminded me of that growing ball of elastic bands. Why am I just accumulating music and not shooting it out into the universe? The connecting of these two concepts led me to naming the project ‘The Elastic Ball’ and to committing myself to finishing the works in progress, releasing it and letting go. Somehow this makes me feel like I can move on and continue piling up more works in progress π
Thank you!
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