Blake Edwards is a name that thorough readers of this medium have encountered more than once. Blake runs a label in Chicago called ballast, and he has a musical outlet (okay, he has more, but this is his best known) called Vertonen. I’ve had the opportunity to write about his works a few times, and I am mesmerized and puzzled each time. Please note that both feelings are positive. Music, sound art, experiments… No matter what you call it, it should invite you to start thinking about what you’re hearing. Okay, okay, maybe that’s a bit too strong, but at least it offers possibilities to ask questions.
And guess what, “She would have made such a lovely bride” is a piece where you will ask whether you want it. Reading the title, you already wondered who the ‘she’ is, am I right? Well, ‘she’ in this case is Miss Taylor Swift. And no, Blake is not married to her, and as far as I could find out, he has no plans. But Taylor is, of course, considered to be America’s perfect daughter-in-law, or outlaw or whatever. She had a massive tour through North America, and from that tour, the audience’s reaction was used for the Lathe and one of the CDRs. A whole different approach to noise if you consider the request by many artists to start ‘make some noise’. It’s not what Blake wanted to say with this release, but I leave it up to you to find answers to the questions this release raises.
The second CDR, however, is something different altogether. It’s a single piece entitled “The idea you had of me—who was she?” And it’s so, so beautiful. It ‘is the most traditional musical component of the release: a continuation of my [Blake’s] interest in piano—specifically the work of Conlon Nancarrow and Steven Reich’. So that gives you a direction in what to expect. Built on two two-second Swift piano loops on loads of layers and some additional drones… It is an absolute masterpiece in its minimality and atmosphere, and I have tried not to say it this year, but yes,it is A contender for the top list of 2024. And only 30 copies are available.
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