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Splendor & Misery is an °Afrofuturist, dystopian concept album that follows the sole survivor of a slave uprising on an interstellar cargo ship, and the onboard computer that falls in love with him. Thinking he is alone and lost in space, the character discovers music in the ship’s shuddering hull and chirping instrument panels. William and Jonathan’s tracks draw an imaginary sonic map of the ship’s decks, hallways, and quarters, while Daveed’s lyrics ride the rhythms produced by its engines and machinery. In a reversal of H.P. Lovecraft’s concept of cosmic insignificance, the character finds relief in learning that humanity is of no consequence to the vast, uncaring universe. It turns out, pulling the rug out from under anthropocentrism is only horrifying to those who thought they were the center of everything to begin with. Ultimately, the character decides to pilot his ship into the unknown—and possibly into oblivion—instead of continuing on to worlds whose systems of governance and economy have violently oppressed him.
I had not stumbled upon Afrofuturism [...] pictures google throws at me on page one.
TL;DR: I'm intrigued, puzzled and confused.
Futurism“ What distinguishes Detroit Techno from its European variants is the way it more directly works the interface of funk and futurism...but the desire to play up the genre's futuristic side often means the second half of the equation gets dropped. ”— Mike Shallcross, "From Detroit To Deep Space". The Wire (161). July 1997. p. 21.These early Detroit techno artists employed science fiction imagery to articulate their visions of a transformed society.[11] A notable exception to this trend was a single by Derrick May under his pseudonym Rhythim Is Rhythim, called "Strings of Life" (1987). This vibrant dancefloor anthem was filled with rich synthetic string arrangements and took the underground music scene by storm in May 1987. It "hit Britain in an especially big way during the country's 1987-1988 house explosion."[12] It became May's best known track, which, according to Frankie Knuckles, "just exploded. It was like something you can't imagine, the kind of power and energy people got off that record when it was first heard. "[13]The club scene created by techno in Detroit was a way for suburban blacks in Detroit to distance themselves from “jits,” slang for lower class African Americans living in the inner-city. “Prep parties” were obsessed with flaunting wealth and incorporated many aspects of European culture including club names like Plush, Charivari, and GQ Productions, reflecting European fashion and luxury, because Europe signified high class. In addition prep parties were run as private clubs and restricted who could enter based on dress and appearance. Party flyers were also an attempt to restrict and distance lower class individuals from the middle class club scene.[14]AfrofuturismThe three artists all contribute to the discourse of Afrofuturism through their re-purposing of technology to create a new form of music that appealed to a marginalized underground population. Especially within the context of Detroit, where the rise of robotics led to a massive loss of jobs around the time these three were growing up, technology is very relevant. The three friends put together tracks in their basements, making music without access to studios or top-line equipment, manipulating machines and sounds in a unique and experimental way. The process "took technology, and made it a black secret."[15]The sound is both futuristic and extraterrestrial, touching on the 'otherness' central to Afrofuturist content. According to one critic, it was a "deprived sound trying to get out."[15] Tukufu Zuberi explains that electronic music can be multiracial and that critics should pay attention to "not just sound aesthetics but the production process and institutions created by black musicians."[15]
This one soothes my soul:[youtube-preview-stripped]Tell me I'm not alone?
Kevin Smith interviewing Carrie Henn aka 'Newt' from James Cameron's Aliens (1986) at San Diego Comic-Con (2016).
http://tabletopaudio.com provides audio backgrounds for table top role playing games. But because of the quality and length of the ambient sounds it also serves nicely as a soundscape to simply enjoy while doing whatever. See you in the speakeasy.
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