The following is an introduction to Translating the Language of Music, a multimedia qualitative examination exploring musical conversations. This four part series was created by Steven Davy for a graduate school thesis project at Michigan State University’s School of Journalism.
Chapter one features multi-instrumentalist and bassist for The Red Sea Pedestrians and The Brothers Kalamazov Jay Gavan. In an in-depth interview Gavan discusses his experiences playing bass backing up several bands and the language of music created as musicians come together from various backgrounds.
An interview with John Campos, a professor of recording theory and techniques at Western Michigan University. Campos discusses the unusual environment of the recording studio where distractions of all shapes manifest and impact musical communication.
I was allowed to observe a practice ahead of a performance later that night in Kalamazoo, Mich. with musicians Seth Bernard and May Erlewine. Also at the practice was percussionist Mike Shimmin and bassist Andrew Kratzat. During the practice, I recorded video and audio focusing attention on Bernard and Erlewine, a duo in a committed personal and creative relationship. Following the practice, we sat down for an interview.
In the final chapter of this examination, I interview with percussionist and trained music therapist Carolyn Koebel. I interviewed Koebel who discusses her engagement not only with her musical collaborators, but also with the audience.
The following is an introduction to Translating the Language of Music, a multimedia qualitative examination exploring musical conversations. This four part series was created by Steven Davy for a graduate school thesis project at Michigan State University’s School of Journalism.
Chapter one features multi-instrumentalist and bassist for The Red Sea Pedestrians and The Brothers Kalamazov Jay Gavan. In an in-depth interview Gavan discusses his experiences playing bass backing up several bands and the language of music created as musicians come together from various backgrounds.
An interview with John Campos, a professor of recording theory and techniques at Western Michigan University. Campos discusses the unusual environment of the recording studio where distractions of all shapes manifest and impact musical communication.
I was allowed to observe a practice ahead of a performance later that night in Kalamazoo, Mich. with musicians Seth Bernard and May Erlewine. Also at the practice was percussionist Mike Shimmin and bassist Andrew Kratzat. During the practice, I recorded video and audio focusing attention on Bernard and Erlewine, a duo in a committed personal and creative relationship. Following the practice, we sat down for an interview.
In the final chapter of this examination, I interview with percussionist and trained music therapist Carolyn Koebel. I interviewed Koebel who discusses her engagement not only with her musical collaborators, but also with the audience.
The Brothers Kalamazov, by and large, only play together in a live setting. It is on stage that some songs are created and take shape. Gavan says the communication in the group is what makes this creative feat possible. He says this live musical conversation is also one of the most fun things he does musically.
Heightened communication requires not only that the musicians engage freely with their songs and with each other, but it also requires a full engagement with the audience. Carolyn Koebel calls this completing the circuit.
While the documentary is being stitched together, here are a few segments from a conversation with Campos where he talks about what a strange environment the recording studio is and how he works with musicians helping them find their natural place where communication can occur.
Exploring Conversations is a platform for examining the language of music. It was created as a graduate thesis project by Steven Davy
