Esem: there can never be silence
November 11, 2009
- Is life an inspiration to make music or is music inspiration to live?
>Both, no? i doubt that the first sound i’ve produced has been very musical (except maybe to my parents’ ears), so, say life comes first, then comes the music, that brings back some more life to life, and that then brings some more music, and so on….< - What would you do if there wouldn’t be music, starting with tomorrow?
Take photos, write, or draw. i’ve always felt a need to channel my emotions into some form of content, be it sound, text, or picture. i cannot imagine myself stopping. - …and what if you had to produce in a different music genre? What would that be?
>I do this on a regular basis, but always retain a side of electronica to it. if i had to completely do this in a different genre, i’d be a different person altogether.< - The beauty of silence or the chaos of noises?
>Definitely both! There can never be silence, unless noises pause, and for a second it is seemingly quiet.< - What’s your favourite album ever?
>There isn’t just one, since because to get to that place is so incredibly difficult, naturally more than one artist/title has done it. Orblivion by The Orb. I am past caring about what they’ve sampled, and which bits of culture they’ve recycled to get there. Neither am I interested in how successful their later work is. The complexity of Orblivion still dazzles me. I am equally impressed by Autechre’s Chiastic Slide – in my view an underrated and often misunderstood album. But years before that – Violator by Depeche Mode. I didn’t realise it would hold up so well after all the years, or how much influence it would bring to my world. Even now.< - …and your favourite album cover?
>That’s even more difficult. I have a thing for music packaging. From the traditional picture stuff, it would have to be Violator again. But a step further – Autechre’s EP7 CD, Deathprod’s pitch-black 4-disc box-set, and possibly ten others..<
- Is there some music you like – but ashamed to admit it?
>No. I make a point of openly discussing any music I like, regardless of genre and culture. I grew up listening to heavy metal, then went through pop, synth-pop, hip-hop, then had a very focused electronica period, and then began exploring everything else. I can listen to U2 one day, and Huun Huur Tu the next.< - If you could be a rock star, who would you be?
>Don’t know… Prince?< - Do you have a role model?
>My friends are my role models. They don’t know this, but from a bit of each of them I construct this super-being that I secretly wish I could be, but am not. In the process I manage to make them feel unappreciated and come across as a self-centered idiot. How great is that?< - Who would you like to meet the most?
>A man called Walter Murch. I’ve been reading a lot about him.. The way he thinks seems familiar….< - What are your favourite movies?
>Oh no.< - If you had to direct your own movie, how would it look like?
>It would have all this material shot, and it would look boring and quite frankly pointless, until someone re-cut it into a sequence that makes sense.< - What’s your favourite food?
>Food for thought.< - Is there a band/music genre you can’t stand listening to?
>Shakira? Anything sex+cash+throwaway.< - What’s your (original) profession?
>I have no idea, quite honestly. I’ve always pushed for a creative position to do with sound, but it has always given place to something else because of money matters.< - What’s your next plan music-wise?
>It’s all very vague at the moment. I am moving towards a point that I cannot easily define. I know I’ll know when I get there. Hopefully very soon.< - Which language would you like to speak most and why?
>Oh this changes every day. One day it’s something Nordic – it sounds musical. The next day it’s Spanish – now they really sing. The third – Japanese…< - How would you describe yourself in 5 words?
>I would not. You try?< - What are your vices?
>I take things too seriously. I make too much effort. Or none at all.< - What is the most unusual comment anyone has ever made about you?
>I’ve been called an electronic stalwart once…< - The best moment in your life?
>That’s yet to come.< - What does beauty mean to you?
>Cue random Umberto Eco quote. I cannot even begin to express my thoughts on this..< - What would you do today if the world would end tomorrow?
>Panic?< - Which places you love the most?
>I like small places near big cities. I like the insides of giant buildings. And quiet rooms.< - Who’s your favourite superhero and why?
>Not sure about a superhero. If Nils Holgersson was a superhero, then maybe him.< - What’s your favourite flavour?
>Oh no.. baked bread, warm milk, custard, coffee, I could go on…< - Three things you could never get rid of?
>Music records. A computer. Chocolate.< - Your three favourite websites?
>Music of Sound, imdb, and the Gearslutz post-production forum< - What’s your favourite picture about yourself? (click on image for larger size)
- What’s your most favourite picture you made? (click on image for larger size)
- What is the question you always would have liked to be asked but nobody ever did?
>Help me out. I can’t think of any.<
Esem is Bulgarian music artist Georgi Marinov, born in 1979, previously known as “eesn” and “stereoman” during his early demoscene days at NOiSE.
He has so far released one single (Ikae, vinyl-only) and three full length albums: Enveloped (deFocus 2002), Serial Human (m3rck 2003), and Scateren (kahvi 2005). Scateren was released under a Creative Commons license and is available to download for free. Portions of Scateren were licensed for a Nintendo DS game – Theta, produced by Vitei inc.
Pretty much everything he does is electronic music, leaning heavy on the “intelligent electronica” side, and nothing you’re likely to listen to in a club or at a party.Esem is currently working on a new album, which is referred to as LP3, though technically it will be his 4th full-length release. Some of his music can be played on last.fm or downloaded from his website. Find out more details about him by checking out his discography or his soundcloud page.
Pure electronica.. whether idm or ambient. Esem is one of my many favourite electronic artists to have come out of a divided and chaotic world to give some meaning and emotion to his music. he creates sublime awesomeness!!!! How much further will u push yourself Georgi? I am willing to listen all the way…