SIP - SoundLAB Interview Project

Jones, Markus

Markus Jones
UK artist

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biography—>

Interview: 10 questions

1. When did you start making music, what is/was your motivation to do it?

Many moons ago I am afraid. My father would sit me down as a young boy and make me listen to all kinds of music, explaining every little detail to me about the piece.

2. Tell me something about your living environment and the musical education.

I live in an extreme old city in the North of England, where interesting sound is plentiful. I am actually from a more classical background, studying composition at university, but this of course was before I eventually heard the sound of electronics.

3.Is making music your profession? What is the context in which you practice music nowadays?

Not really, I work within higher education during the day and work on my various projects in the evening, a little like a superhero.

4. How do you compose or create music or sound? Have you certain principles, use certain styles etc?

I guess when anyone sits down to work, no matter what line of work you happen to be in, you follow your own modus operandi. I myself tend to think about the project for a period of time and depending on the nature of project I may go about it in a completely different way.

5. Tell me something about the instruments, technical equipment or tools you use?

With each project I like to create something new, a little device that serves the projects purpose. But I guess my main arsenal would tend to be Contact Microphones, Electro Magnetic Coils and my trusty Light Reader. When it comes to software I tend to use sound design tools such as Plogue Bidule, AudioMulch, Tapestreator and sound editing software such as Soundforge and a selection of trusty mastering plug-ins.

6. What are the chances of New Media for the music production in general and you personally?

Over the last 15 years or so the way music is produced and distributed has been totally revolutionised, making everything far more accessible.

7. How about producing and financing your musical productions?

Financing can be a problem, sometimes you may have an interesting idea, but the larger struggle maybe receiving some return on your work.

8. Do you work individually as a musician/soundartist or in a group or collaborative? If you have experience in both, what is the difference, what do you prefer?

I tend to work alone. I don’t think any rational person could tolerate my idiosyncrasies, but I would more than welcome a brave soul with a good idea.

9. Is there any group, composer, style or movement, which has a lasting influence on making music?

I am not really sure to be honest; I seem to take my influences from a number of different sources from Art, Architecture, Books and Travels. Also, I am pretty sure the sound and music that surrounds you on a regular basis can hugely influence your final musical harvest, rather than certain groups or individuals.

10. What are your future plans or dreams as a soundartist or musician?

Well, I am really enjoying the kind of work I am currently involved in, I think we live in very exciting times to be involved in sound art, so as long as I still enjoy doing it, that’s all I’ll ever ask for.