SAMPLE WORK B
Nous Alpha is Christopher Bono
(Ghost Against Ghost, NOUS) and
Gareth Jones (Depeche Mode, Grizzly Bear, Spiritual Friendship).
A WALK IN THE WOODS
is a collaboration with the natural world through the lens of modern music technology, with natural elements created by performing with found objects in the dense woods of the nearby Catskill Mountains and around the studio. The duo created ‘foraged sounds’ using stones and rocks, sampling trees and birds and other natural sounds - note the sounds of a tranquil pond and the distinctive mechanical sounds of a bicycle.
While meditative walks in the woods provided the impetus for the tracks, the trees surrounding the studio also became a place for spiritual rejuvenation. The result of their ritualistic approach to the project is a body of work steeped in harmony and balance – of beauty and melancholy, of technology and nature, signaling two like-minded spiritual beings in creative lockstep with each other. Over the two weeks, meditation, introspection and connection with nature embodied A Walk In The Woods.
“This is one of three tracks built around vocals. We used one word, “Love”, the wonderful monosyllabic, supreme mental formation and state of being. In the midst of one of our later jams at the top of the mountain, we stood over the edge and started spontaneously chanting words, some of which became essential elements of other tracks. Gareth intuitively chanted “Love” and Christopher echoed him. The spontaneous chanting was followed by self-consciousness judgements about whether the use of this extremely common word was too trite. But the truth is, contemplation on Love is immeasurable, boundless, all-important, and certainly necessary in these times, so we decided to use it.”
— Nous Alpha
“Listening to ‘Golden Lemon’, mental images started flowing. Sky, wind, Christopher and Gareth in the forest, mysterious grounds, running water, funghi, a feeling of connectedness. The multilayered experience of “golden lemon” is hard to describe. High almost angelic notes, deep earthy bass, a lively melody, trickling like a flow of clear consciousness connecting it all. I wanted to recreate these worlds. A physical reality. A magical underground world. Christopher and Gareth, connecting those worlds with their music. I created yet another bridge, between sound and visuals. Everything is connected.”
— Ployz
