Lowercase (music)
| Lowercase | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Typical instruments | Electronic processing, field recordings |
| Derivative forms | Onkyokei |
Lowercase is an extreme form of ambient[1][2] minimalism where very quiet, usually unheard sounds are amplified to extreme levels. Minimal artist Steve Roden popularized the movement with an album entitled Forms of Paper, in which he made recordings of himself handling paper in various ways. These recordings were commissioned by the Hollywood branch of the Los Angeles Public Library.[3]
Definition
Steve Roden stated this about the lowercase tendencies in which he began to develop in his later works: “It bears a certain sense of quiet and humility; it doesn't demand attention, it must be discovered... It’s the opposite of capital letters—loud things which draw attention to themselves.”[4][5]
Examples
Artists that have contributed to the lowercase movement include Richard Chartier and Carsten Nicolai, a.k.a. Alva Noto. [6]
See also
- John Cage - similar in content
- Musique concrete
- Tape music
References
- ^ Cresswell, Nina (September 2, 2014). "10 Bizarrely Specific Music Genres You Won't Believe Actually Exist: 8. Lowercase". What Culture. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ These Are The 50 Weirdest Genres Of Music On Spotify
- ^ Lowercase: The Music GenreThat Should Be a TypefaceBut is Made Out of Paper - VICE
- ^ The "Lowercase Music" Genre is Ambient at Its Most Minimal -Avant Music News
- ^ 15 Most Hilariously Specific (And Often Terrible) Subgenres Of Music - UPROXX
- ^ 10 21st-Century Music Genres Most People Haven't Heard Of - Listverse