I have read an interesting interview with composer/artist Bjoerk:
Some extracts:
"I needed rythms that are a new country and adventure for myself. First, we have programmed tons of complicated beats. You needed 3 weeks to make them, but only 1 minute to listen to them. Then, we have thrown them all away, it was too ambitious. I needed more wood, more beats from real drums, tribal sounds."
"Making music is like doing research. It is like you need to solve a mysterious murder. As you do in the stories of Agatha Christie."
"There are so many parts in my music that will never change. ... Oh yes, people say: Your music changes with every album! ... but in my opinion, most elements in my albums stay the same. Some elements change, but some things will never change, and this is true for everyone. ... "
"Vespertine was the most difficult album I have worked on. Most songs consists of 120 layers and used up to 40 different beats, then there was a chorus, and orchestra, a harpe, ... You work on this for 3 years! I enjoyed the working process but afterwards everything seems very easy ... Then you don't care to throw some beats away afterwards. At least you have gained some experience while working on it. And you are happy, that you are a bit closer to the solution of your puzzle. It is cowardous to be satisfied with what you have. But sometimes, it is also courageous. The same is true for every adventure: Sometimes it is expression of braveness and sometimes of cowardice. You need to reflect on yourself whether your actions are expressions of escape or not. By listening to yourself in these situations, it is a very subtle spine to walk."
"Art has right for existence in itself. ... For artists, it is more important to be true to yourself, then the magic will follow, and others will appreciate what you do. If you just try to please other people, then noone will understand what you do probably. This is a paradox that I like."
