Today we talk about the intersections of sustainability, health, data and sound in drusnoise’s techno composition ‘We are but dust and shadows’. The composition investigates how sonification of air pollution data can be used for modulation of sound, mirroring the ways that unseen particles in the air affect humans and the environment – usually in ways we do not notice or understand. The live experimental techno set features analog and digital modular synthesizers, samplers, FX pedals, iPad granular synths, and analog drum machines. Additional sounds and modulations come from public air pollution data, live sample and loop manipulation, field recordings, and scientific lectures.

Guest host JacqNoise (host of the Hijack show on RBL Radio) interviews drusnoise and we talk about sustainability and sound, data sonfication, improvisation, geek out on gear, and more.

Show notes

Links and references

• Data artist: Lisa Knolle
• Data sources: World Air Quality Index - Graz Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI), https://aqicn.org/city/graz/ | Das Serviceportal des Landes Steiermark, https://app.luis.steiermark.at/luft2/suche.php
• European Environment Agency report on Air quality in Europe https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/air-quality-in-europe-2022
• Link to performance at Institut für Elektronische Musik und Akustik, Kunst Uni Graz 23.11.2023 https://youtu.be/CeQQ7NSPBC0
• Link to artist talk https://youtu.be/EMHHu3v6zIA
• JacqNoise https://jacqnoise.cargo.site/
• Hijack RBL https://rbl.media/programs/hijack/ Every 1st Saturday at 9pm

Gear mentioned

• Eurorack modules
  • Intellijel MIDI – CV interface https://intellijel.com/shop/eurorack/1u/midi-1u/
  • Mystic Circuits 3DVCA https://www.mysticcircuits.com/product/3dvca
  • Worng Electronics Soundstage https://www.worngelectronics.com/
• Elektron Octatrack https://www.elektron.se/en/octratrack-mkii-explorer
• Elektron Analog Rytm https://www.elektron.se/en/analog-rytm-mkii-explorer
• Borderlands granular synth iPad app https://www.borderlands-granular.com/app/
• Eowave Quadrantid Swarm https://www.eowave.com/synthesizers/quadrantid-swarm/
• Bastl Instruments Softpop SP2 https://bastl-instruments.com/instruments/softpop2
• Error instruments Cloud Busting https://www.errorinstruments.com/a-74329068/bricky-format-standalone-box/cloudbusting-gold-xo-brickie/#description
• Ableton Live https://www.ableton.com/en/
• Dust granular synth plugin https://www.soundmorph.com/product/49/dust