Fractal Consciousness by Andy Bloyce

It’s been a little while since my last release and I resisted the urge to use another book cover – although it was close and I do have one ready, perhaps next time…?

The next paragraph gets a bit synth nerdy (well, virtually), so feel free to skip it if that’s not your thing.

I’ve been experimenting with my virtual modular synthesiser (Cherry Audio Voltage Modular) and what you hear is many of those experiments butting up against each other. It’s entirely possible to have multiple modular setups and to switch between them, so I did. I also mapped a lot of controllers for real-time manipulation. You’ll hear me switch from some sequencing using a Turing Machine (which I have done before and it’s such fun that I did it again), to sequencing using a handful of generative modules and eventually getting down to it with some basic sequencing with Moog-style modules. There are a lot of ambient sounds linking these up, again mainly from the modular setups, although with quite a bit of ARP 2600 bleeps and bloops (once more, courtesy of Cherry Audio). There are a LOT of effects at play as well and I like to think that I’ve used them to good (ahem) effect. Often, I use the same delay/reverb combination as it just works – this time, I went a little bit crazy.

My apologies for that slightly synth-head explanation. If you skipped it, welcome back. There will be no more. I’ll just say that, as always, I’m playing live to audio here (for everything), so mistakes and crunchy bits get left in. I’ve learned to love them.

Where was my head whilst making this music…? In a good place, enjoying some better health after a period of hard work. I’m not there yet, but I’ll take what’s on offer. The concept of fractal consciousness was one that was floating around in my head. As Benoît Mandelbrot said, “My life seemed to be a series of events and accidents. Yet when I look back, I see a pattern.”

Perhaps if we understand our own minds, and consciousness itself, do we also unlock an understanding of our universe…? I am naturally quite the reductionist and this thinking does offer a route to something bigger than myself whilst also allowing me the thought and admission that this might be all there is. That doesn’t worry me.

My suggestion is to ponder that thought whilst listening to the musical meanderings presented here for just over an hour. What harm can it do…? Worst case, you just enjoy the music. Best case… ah well, now there’s the payoff.

The Soviet Space Dog Project is being manned by Andy Bloyce, a Londoner who has been listening to Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream for over 40 years.
It's nearly time for a sit-down.

sovietspacedogproject.wordpress.com
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