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.

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