track listing
Human Capital 21:26
Assembly 25:49
Palpably Excited 13:56
credits
released March 8, 2024
Recorded telematically on December 11, 2020 (3), December 18, 2020 (1), and February 25, 2021 (2) in Otsego, MN, Wilmington, DE, and Los Angeles, CA
Edited, Mixed (1 & 3), and Mastered by Scott L. Miller
Mixed (2) by Sam Wells
Liner Notes by Adam Vidiksis
℗© 2024 Scott L. Miller (BMI), Adam Vidiksis (ASCAP),
and Sam Wells (ASCAP)
Artwork and Graphic Design by Sam Wells
© all rights reserved
about
The second album from Miller, Vidiksis, and Wells marks a deeper, more reflective phase in the trio's journey through the realm of telematic free music. While their debut album resonated with dynamic rhythms and energetic textures, this new collection shifts focus, embracing a darker contemplative ambiance that is rich in depth and nuance. Despite this change in tone, an undercurrent of tension remains, lending a compelling complexity to their soundscapes.
Recorded from their homes spread across the country, the trio has skillfully adapted their musical approach to overcome the challenges of distance. They have fine-tuned their collaboration over more than two years, accommodating the subtle latencies of long-distance music-making, while also preserving the immediacy and unified characteristic of live performance. This album is a testament to their ability to create a harmonious and seamless musical dialogue across miles, blending the immediacy of local play with the thoughtful response required by telematic interaction.
From the downcast opening trumpet sounds of 'Human Capital,' the first track on the album, there is an immediate sense of depth and melancholy. Slow and imbued with an air of unease, this piece thoughtfully reflects on the complexities of the modern human condition. As it unfolds, each note and gesture is carefully placed, evoking a sense of introspection. The drums, employing friction-based techniques innovated by Vidiksis to mimic the electronic sound world, seamlessly match Wells's mournful tones and Miller's brooding electronics. The line between the three voices is often blurred to the point where each element becomes part of a unified, intricate whole, creating an immersive and indistinguishable blend. This unique approach adds a textured, almost tactile quality to the track, enhancing the overall atmosphere of reflection and emotional depth. The interplay between these elements creates a soundscape that is both haunting and beautiful, inviting the listener into a world of nuanced expression and profound resonance.
"Assembly," the second track, stands out as a compelling exploration of drive, characterized by its glitchy texture, gestural richness, and unrelenting energy. The track carves a pathway that oscillates between fitful bursts and mesmerizing patterns, navigating a pathway that is erratic and engaging. Its gestural elements add a sense of dynamism, while the insistent intensity of the work mirrors the often needlessly unyielding and frenetic pace expected in our society.
"Palpably Excited," the third track, is propelled by an undercurrent of jittery, relentless rhythms from the drums and electronics, instilling a sense of unending motion and urgency. This ceaseless dynamism is further amplified by Miller’s electronics, which oscillate between moments of epic grandeur and understated simplicity via a constant, undulating rhythm, creating a rich and varied auditory experience. Amid this vibrant soundscape, the trumpet introduces a poignant contrast with its melancholic melodies, starkly differing from the track's overall vivacity. The interplay between the trumpet's melancholic melodies and the fluid shifts between the splendor and simplicity of the electronics and drums deepens the emotional texture, emphasizing the track’s captivating complexity.
The seamless fusion of their diverse styles and approaches culminates in an album that exemplifies how technology can transcend physical distances, fostering a creative realm where artists, though miles apart, converge to craft a unique musical space that embodies and transcends their separate locations. This album, blending introspection, dynamism, and complexity, offers listeners an enriching and immersive auditory experience, inviting them into this space between time.
in the media
Relevant Tones Podcast – #433 Human Capital: A Telecollaboration between Scott Miller, Sam Wells, and Adam Vidiksis (July 8, 2024)
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Austin Williams speaks with Sam Wells and Adam Vidiksis about their recent collaboration with composer Scott Miller.
Through speaking with Adam and Sam, Austin learned that the process used to create the album was rather strange. All of the tracks that are heard on the album are a result of ‘Zoom Jam Sessions’ where the performers in the height of the lockdown figured out a meaningful way to host virtual jams with one another.
The music was compelling enough for them to create an album of what was created. Listen to the interview to find out more details about how this process went and what it meant to the performers in the moment.