June 11, 2010

David Byrne: The Venue Makes The Music - Creation In Reverse

David Byrne took part in the long running TED series. His February lecture was entitled "The Venue Makes The Music - Creation In Reverse".

"I was honored to do a TED talk this year - back in February. It's about 16 minutes long and now, today, they are posting it online. It is also available as a video podcast, downloadable free from the iTunes store. I am hooked on watching these podcast versions of their famous talks, which they've had available for a few years now. You can carry them with you and watch a short talk from an array of incredible thinkers (many of whom are pretty well known) whenever you feel like it. Inspiring stuff.

My own talk (it wasn't a musical performance) was based on the idea that the acoustic properties of the clubs, theaters and concert halls where our music might get performed determines to a large extent the kind of music we write. We semi unconsciously create music that will be appropriate to the places in which it will most likely be heard. Put that way it sounds obvious...but most people are surprised that creativity might be steered and molded by such mundane forces. I go further - it seems humans aren't the only ones who do this, who adapt our music to sonic circumstances - birds do it too. I play lots of sound snippets as examples, with images of the venues accompanying them... Enjoy."

» ted.com (also has a free download option)
» davidbyrne.com

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