William Basinski
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William Basinski (Houston, 1958), a New York-based classically-trained clarinetist and saxophonist, specializes in compositions for loops and drones. He began experimenting with compositions for piano and tape that created a melancholy ambience via looped and overdubbed melodies with Variations - A Movement in Chrome Primitive (1980), released on Variations - A Movement in Chrome Primitive (Durtro, 2002 - Die Stadt, 2004), and A Red Score in Tile (1979), released on A Red Score in Tile (3 Poplars, 2003).
Shortwave Music (1982), some of which appear on Shortwave Music (Noton, 1998), processed and assembled snippets of radio broadcasts to produce atmospheres at the border between musique concrete and ambient music. The River (1983), collected on the double-disc The River (Noton, december 2002), was the most mature expression of “shortwave music”.
Melancholia (Durtro, 2003 - 2062, 2005) collects more loop-based vignettes from the 1980s, closer in feeling and scope to Erik Satie and Brian Eno.
During the 1980s, Basinski often played saxophone during multimedia performances, and was a member of the Gretchen Langheld Ensemble, which later evolved into House Afire. In 1989 he opened his own loft for the creative arts, nicknamed “Arcadia”. Throughout the 1990s he refined his song-cycle Hymns of Oblivion. In 1997, Basinski launched his performance-art act Beautifying America. He also formed the electronic ensemble Life on Mars. Basinski has also created videos and films, notably the “ambient film” Fountain (2000).
Shortwave Music (1982), some of which appear on Shortwave Music (Noton, 1998), processed and assembled snippets of radio broadcasts to produce atmospheres at the border between musique concrete and ambient music. The River (1983), collected on the double-disc The River (Noton, december 2002), was the most mature expression of “shortwave music”.
Melancholia (Durtro, 2003 - 2062, 2005) collects more loop-based vignettes from the 1980s, closer in feeling and scope to Erik Satie and Brian Eno.
During the 1980s, Basinski often played saxophone during multimedia performances, and was a member of the Gretchen Langheld Ensemble, which later evolved into House Afire. In 1989 he opened his own loft for the creative arts, nicknamed “Arcadia”. Throughout the 1990s he refined his song-cycle Hymns of Oblivion. In 1997, Basinski launched his performance-art act Beautifying America. He also formed the electronic ensemble Life on Mars. Basinski has also created videos and films, notably the “ambient film” Fountain (2000).
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Top Albums
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Melancholia
William Basinski
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William Basinski Buy- Download Album
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The Disintegration Loops II
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The Disintegration Loops IV
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Shoutbox
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XXITheWorld wrote:
I believe the time has come for him to find yet another loop under a sofa or something and release a new album with it
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Knifymoloko wrote:
An Ambient God. Yes I said G-d.
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maxson924 wrote:
v I know that's the case for the first album; I'd assume the same is true for the others.
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spongeluke wrote:
i think the loops were some of his old personal recordings. if they weren't im losing my mind.
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Enokii wrote:
willie
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hatredofmusic wrote:
Melancholia would be far more suited to a subtle game like Ico, not one as bombastic as Skyrim which already has a suitable score by Jeremy Soule.
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hatredofmusic wrote:
When I want to read, write or just sleep, this is the music I go to.
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Colton56 wrote:
I feel like Melancholia should be the soundtrack to Skyrim.
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mh_66 wrote:
Schön. Ich fülle gerade meinen Katalog auf. Auf seiner Seite http://www.mmlxii.com/music/music.html kann man sehen was er so alles veröffentlicht hat, und Bestellungen laufen mit Bestandabfrage per mail sowie $20 pro CD über paypal ab. Hat bis jetzt immer geklappt und war meistens auch extra signiert.
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Nibblhans wrote:
Listening to these loops feels like dying inside mothers belly.
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nimrodella wrote:
true love lasts forever *
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pimrupert wrote:
jaaaaa!
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BubbleControl wrote:
Best drone
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gregoryoftours wrote:
a most fascinating character
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mushroomsseason wrote:
perfect for astronomy
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vertsk8er419 wrote:
*is waiting patiently for 'the regeneration loops' or something of the like*
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B-Fay wrote:
Is it strange that I get excited about ambient music? AMBIENT MUSIC AMBIENT MUSIC YEAH YEAH YEAH!!!!!
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XXITheWorld wrote:
I don't think we count as summer anymore
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XXITheWorld wrote:
Hymn of Oblivion was supposed to be "Summer 2011"
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dizoox wrote:
When I'm listening to William Basinski, a part of me dies, which is beautiful.
Videos
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melancholia ii
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Melancholia - William Basinski
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d|p 1.1
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Disintegration Loop 4
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Recent Activity
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cubiform added William Basinski to cubiform’s library. 1 hour ago
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Frongu, Didesith, Esssipi and 10 other people added William Basinski to their libraries. yesterday afternoon
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Roymergu_Roy tagged William Basinski with minimal, drone, experimental and one other tag. Thursday morning
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Giba-G tagged William Basinski with ambient, experimental and drone. Monday evening
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