artist feature 037- Randy Raine-Reusch & Michael Red

November 13th, 2023

Embark on a journey through the soundscape of "ERAS" as we sit down for an insightful interview with Randy Raine-Reusch and Michael Red. The duo takes us behind the scenes of their collaborative improvisations, sharing the nuances of their 'call and response' sessions that gave life to this unique album. We'll explore the eclectic mix of instruments, the spontaneous creative process, and the subtle touches that preserved the raw authenticity of their work. Join us as we uncover the stories and inspirations that shaped "ERAS," offering an insightful and captivating glimpse into the artistic minds behind the music.

What inspired the concept and title 'ERAS' for your collaborative project? How does it encapsulate the essence of the album's journey?

Michael: There are many eras coming together and interacting. In ways, Randy and I are from different eras. And the instruments are from different eras and our techniques are also from arguably their own separate eras as well. But in another way, all those things are co-existing within the same moment in time. The concept of eras, to me, is also very subjective and elastic. So there is conflict and contradiction in using that word. The word is physical sounds so smooth and fluid to say and also looks balanced and beautiful, to me. This all starts to zone in on the overall energy of the project. There is also something about the word that very quickly loses it’s literal meaning and feels a bit amorphous and hard-to-pin-down to me. it feels like it holds mystery and un-namable things. It holds many things and also nothing at the same time - which relates to how i feel this music. …The fact that it’s kinda hard to explain also relates directly to the music too, heh. But letting go to it in a simple way, detacting from the meaning - ther just feels a depth and just feels and looks good to me.

Can you describe the dynamic between live improvisation and post-processing techniques used in crafting the sonic landscapes of 'ERAS'? 
Randy: From my memory, we started recording live with real-time processing from Michael, so I could respond to how Michael was interacting with my sounds. Improvisation permeates sound with creative energy and a precarious immediacy. . As we are both very experienced improvisors, intensive listening was key, with an extensive exploration of subtlety and nuance. For me, any post work was minimal,  just subtle adjustments to clarify what was already there.
Michael: Like with all good improv - it’s also about when *not* to react. Leaving a lot of the work as is, in post, is way to fold in and preserve that “live” and alive feeling.

The album marinated for years before its release. How did this duration of incubation shape the final version of the tracks and the overall album?
Randy: It just wasn't the right time. Although, most of the work I record seems to be released 10 years too early with no audience for it at the time. But we didn't intentionally let it incubate, it just happened by some external flow, and now is the time to bring it into the world. 
Michael: More and more I understand, all my musical projects are very much connected all other aspects of my life. And my collaborative musical projects are tied to the non-musical elements of those relationships as well. The process of completing musical work is a reflection and a symbol of the process of healing and learning and understanding within myself (ourselves) and the relationship(s) with others. Certain things needed to happen first, within our selves and our relationship. The work was completed actually several years ago. Our relationships to the work and ourselves needed to move through some process first. And now we are here. …This is very much my individual take on it though - I have to say! ..Also Daniel, from the releasing label ISLA, is very much part of this release, as I see it. If it weren’t for him and his enthusiasm about the music - this work would not be coming out in this way, and on vinyl!

'ERAS' merges a wide array of instruments and sonic elements. How did you navigate the selection and interweaving of these diverse sounds throughout the album's creation?
Randy: All in the moment as Miichael set up in my studio of 1000 world instruments. An instrument just called Michael or I, so I would play it and Micheal would respond. Some pieces are multi-tracked and that happened without much planning, We would just hear something on top, I would just grab another instrument and place it in. It was both listening and feeling, we often decided by how it felt. Michael: Yup. Just following the flow.

The project delves into a dance between 'light and shadow worlds.' How did you balance these contrasting elements in your collaborative creation?
Randy: Maybe I am the shadow? Many record labels over the years would reject my music saying it was "too deep or too dark" which I always took as a compliment. Part of my sound is the instruments I choose, and part are the echoes of how I survived my life. Michael: I think Randy and I could both take turns at being the shadow. Randy also brings the light too. Come on now Randy! I feel like the balance we achieved was very natural and not really thought about. Randy would bring some conflict and I would reply with some peace, and totally vice versa as well.

Could you shed light on the thematic or emotional narrative that you aimed to convey through the tracks on 'ERAS'?
Randy: for me it is just beauty, in the smallest nuance, in the microcosm that mirrors the macrocosm, in the complexity of emotions within a note, in the joy to communicate deeply in sound with another musical voice, in the freedom to say everything that needs to be said in the moment. 
Michael: Again, I feel like a lot of the process and the resulting music is just simple and intuitive response. No thoughts of “aims” really, except to just follow flow and also to be ourselves. The conversation already began just by being in the same place at the same time, with all our instruments, and us just being our honest selves (with all our emotions and stories we both carry). Our first sounds, and maybe all the sounds, were a response to that.

Collaborative dynamics often lead to both challenges and revelations. What were some significant moments or insights that emerged during your creative process?
Randy: for me it was just the respect and admiration for each other's work, Micheal's sensitivity is profound. There was an excitement to be able to explore these traditional instruments that each voice a very specific world, and take them somewhere else. Whereas many might want to manipulate these sounds beyond recognition, or just use them as exotica, Michael listened to what my instruments were saying and heightened those voices, allowing them to weave their magic, as he expanded that magic adding more nuance and dimensions.
Michael: Thank you Randy, sincerely. ..Being very honest, and I feel like some folks might roll their eyes at this or take offence - there are a fair amount of people that I feel don’t understand what i do, and even less so with some of things Randy referenced. If someone demonstrates to me that they see me, in the less visible ways i work - then i feel a sort of obligation to respond. I know I will learn. i know there will be something worth while. Randy simply showed me he saw me and told me maybe a few stories and, heh, maybe he also told me he had a treasure trove of rare instruments too (!!) - and then I suggested we record and jumped in. ….I have many other things i could say in response to this question though. The answers will find their way if they are meant to, some of them have become embodied and will show up in other work, and also I just love this question. Thank you.

How does 'ERAS' represent a synthesis of your individual styles and musical backgrounds? What unique contributions did each of you bring to the table?
Randy: As I play a large number of instruments from a wide range of cultures, I have many styles, which ERAS is a window on. I wanted to play with Michael for the vast number of dimensions that he works in. So it felt like we were balancing each other, as a single pluck of an ancient gut string would spin into the universe, exploring untold galaxies, and then return to earth to feed the next string pluck. 

'ERAS' is a collection of deep and sprawling sonic meditations. Can you elaborate on the intention behind this musical journey and the feelings you aimed to evoke in your listeners?
Randy: just to be deeply in the moment with each note and ride the small changes of sound as they slowly reveal hidden worlds of expression to explore and immerse yourself in. That's how I feel in the moment of creation and how to bring other folks to.
Michael: I think a lot of that is up to the listeners and time and setting. Through this music being honest and open and also eager to explore - i would hope that sets up a similar context for others, and bring to the surface what it will. I also understand this work less than I do other work i’ve been involved in. It’s not even my place, in ways, to comment. It is what it is, so you tell me! :) I just hope that it’s useful and serves people well. I’ve listened through to the album many times actually, front to back, and I feel it has served me in some very obvious ways - like i’ve traveled very far and deeply sometimes. Other times it feels like actually no time has passed at all and i sense of nothingness (which does feel good, and also feels like something happened that I don’t understand). So maybe I also hope that it works similarly for others in that way. That there is some sort of deep travel and a feeling like it’s been worth it after, that some work has been done even though it might not be felt on a conscience level.

As the album is set to meet its audience, what lasting impact or message do you hope 'ERAS' imparts within the realm of experimental music and sonic exploration?
Randy: The world surrounds us with sound and if we listen and feel all the subtleties that are within each moment of our life, we can find ecstasy everywhere, from the sound of our breath, to the placement of a cup on a table, to a plane overhead, or a pluck of a single string. Sounds are sounds, ecstasy comes from how deeply you experience them.
Michael: Part of my intention from the beginning was to document and preserve certain sounds. Randy’s collection of instruments and how he plays them. It’s also my intent to just show possibility and ideas, hopefully something new, something subtle.

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