Niblock's Sound Spectrums − Within Invisible Rivers

American composer and filmmaker Phill Niblock (1933) is one of minimal music’s key figures. His hypnotic, visceral music – often consisting of a single, constant tone with minimal variations – makes him a drone music pioneer. His compositions are simultaneously subtle and overwhelming. At his live performances in factories, concert halls and art institutions, the audience are bowled over by the sound.

Niblock's Sound Spectrums features many, mainly young, musicians and composers for whom the self-taught Niblock is an inspiring example. He was one of the first audio-visual artists, and as the director of the Experimental Intermedia Foundation he is still pushing new developments forward today. This film is also the result of experimental cooperation. Young filmmaker Thomas Maury’s images enter into a dialogue with Niblock’s work, in the same way a film does with its audience. Part of EarWORM.

Introduction by Sonia de Jager (Buenos Aires, 1988) on sonic media, modes of listening, (socio)political alienation and recent technological revolutions, through the lens of contemporary (popular) music.