James Ilgenfritz continues pushing boundaries through his compositions and approach. “Almostness,” the opening piece of his Stay Logged In On This Trusted Device album. Musically it moves between haunting passages and joyful, almost whimsical phrasings. Ilgenfritz combines traditional forms and technological tools to create an almost meditative, unforgettable performance piece.
“I developed ‘Almostness’ (2023) during the four years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, integrating the just intonation scordatura I’ve been using for my 5-string contrabass (which I call the Alien Generator tuning), with the Autonomous Mechanical Instrument Array (AMIA),” Ilgenfritz explains. “Using Arduino-controlled motors that respond to data transmitted from MAX/MSP programs on my computer, the six mechanical “characters” respond to motion tracking via Mari Kimura’s MUGICTM motion sensor.”
The video by Suzana Lașcu brings this piece to life. Using footage shot by René Pierre Allain at Scholes St Studio, and adding additional footage and digital processing, creates a visual representation heightening those ghostly and capricious sonics and how we emotionally interact with them. It’s surreal and inviting.
“Almostness” appears on Stay Logged In On This Trusted Device, which is available now via Infrequent Seams.
Foxy Digitalis depends on our awesome readers to keep things rolling. Pledge your support today via our Patreon or subscribe to The Jewel Garden. You can also make a one-time donation via Ko-fi.
