JOIN USFinding rhythm in the streets
Martin Lutz is no stranger to Bengaluru. He has been streaming in and out of the city for the last couple of years.
He is now here to put together the music for ‘Bhinna Vinyasa – Multiple Assemblages’, a production of Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts which will preview on October 27.
He has no complaints about his rushed existence and enjoys his role as composer, musician and sound artist for dance, performances, theatre, installations and films.
In an interview with Nina C George, Martin throws light on his work and interests.
How has your childhood influenced your career?
I come from a family of musicians. My grandfather used to arrange and perform Western classical compositions and my father regularly played the piano. I began my musical journey by learning how to play the violin and then moved on to learning other forms. There was also a time when I was influenced by the punk culture. I was an integral part of it for a while.
What is your inspiration to make music?
I find a certain rhythm in the noisy streets of cities. There’s a melody in the sound of horns, in people’s chatter, the barking of dogs and sounds of other animals. I try and capture these sounds and incorporate them in my work. This reflects the character and changing landscapes of cities as opposed to the lingering quietness of the countryside.
Most of your work has field recordings. Why?
I like bringing in a lot of abstract elements into my compositions such as pieces of metal, sound of water and wood... I find a certain movement and music in them. Field recordings and experimental sound production are the basis for my compositions. I take sounds and soundscapes out of their natural context to give them a new content-related and
spatial sense.
Tell us about your projects using sound installations.
Sound installations have a wide spectrum. I had earlier worked on a project where I lined up a couple of loudspeakers in a room and switched them on together to capture their sound. I was inspired to work on this project after witnessing a temple festival of which loudspeakers are an indispensable part. The sound is annoying but it makes for a good project.
What kind of music interests you?
I listen to all genres, including pop, contemporary beats, rock music and Indian classical music which I don’t really comprehend. I absorb all these sounds like a child and give it my own interpretation. I find a certain discipline and rhythm even in the music and dance performed on the streets in India.
Do you think making original music is the way forward?
Making original music is the way forward. Having said that, I also know that it is extremely challenging to come up with something original every time one starts something new but it has a long-standing market.
Your thoughts on Bengaluru...
I keeping visiting the city and I think it’s growing by the day. Bengaluru has become very crowded and is developing at a fast pace but the infrastructure doesn’t support this rapid growth.