extra medium

The Groove of the Extra Medium: A History of Music’s Offbeat Side

From the absurd to the avant-garde, music’s exploration of the unusual has always been groovy.

The Early Days: Sounding Off

The roots of “extra medium” music lie in the playful experiments of early music pioneers. Think of Erik Satie’s minimalist, furniture-inspired furniture music, or the surreal soundscapes of dada artists, who embraced noise and chaos.

Fun Fact: Satie’s “Vexations” is a piano piece that takes over 20 hours to play. It’s been performed in its entirety, but mostly by dedicated masochists… or super-fans.

The Rise of the Avant-Garde: Breaking the Mold

In the 20th century, the “extra medium” got more serious. Composers like John Cage embraced chance music, where musical decisions were left to random chance. Imagine a composer rolling dice to determine the melody!

Fun Fact: Cage’s “4’33” is a piece of silence, where the audience is invited to listen to the sounds of the environment. It’s often described as “the ultimate minimalist composition,” or, “the most challenging piece to perform.”

The Electric Age: Synthesizer Shenanigans

The advent of the synthesizer opened up new possibilities for experimental music. Electronic music pioneers like Kraftwerk and Brian Eno explored soundscapes that were entirely artificial, blurring the lines between music and technology.

Fun Fact: Kraftwerk’s “Autobahn”, an epic, 23-minute long track, was a favorite of race car drivers because it accurately simulated the sound of a car driving on the autobahn.

Beyond the Sounds: Performance Art Takes Center Stage

In the 1980s and 90s, music and performance art merged, creating a truly “extra medium” experience. The “Industrial” scene embraced abrasive noise, disturbing imagery, and provocative performances, often pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable.

Fun Fact: The industrial band Throbbing Gristle once performed a concert where they used a live sheep as a prop. It didn’t go down well with animal rights activists.

The Digital Era: No Limits

Today, the “extra medium” thrives in the digital realm. Musicians like Aphex Twin and Autechre utilize complex computer software to create mind-bending soundscapes, while artists like Björk incorporate cutting-edge technology into their live performances.

Fun Fact: Aphex Twin’s “Windowlicker” music video featured an CGI character that was so realistic that it sparked conspiracy theories about the existence of “window lickers.”

The Groovy Future

From noise to silence, from synthesizers to sheep, “extra medium” music continues to evolve. It’s a genre that challenges conventions, embraces the unconventional, and makes us think about music in entirely new ways. So next time you hear something out of the ordinary, don’t dismiss it as noise. It might just be the next big thing in music.