Sunday, October 05, 2008

Gel-Sol

Gel-Sol

Gel-Sol is Seattle based producer/musician, Andrew Reichel. He's not always strictly a sample-based artist, but he does occasionally include aspects of Plunderphonics in his more musical work, and has plans to do so more in the future. We've played his "Free Speech For Sale" track, "Soopershammy," on the program. It was written specifically for that compilation, with its theme of tracks composed of nothing but samples from commercials.

He's worked in a lot of different styles, including ambient soundscape and electronica, but his main interest would seem to be improvisation. He's released three albums, the latest of which was released in April, 2008. Titled "IZ," it is available as a co-release from Psychonavigation and Upstairs Recordings. Check it out HERE.

Without further ado, here's the SAR Q&A with Gel-Sol...


*Name:
Gel-Sol

*Are there any additional names used to describe this project: Gel-Sol, but I also have a project called Kids For Tomorrow.

*Do you use a pseudonym? Yes, Gel-Sol.

*Members: I am the only member of Gel-Sol. Kids for Tomorrow includes myself and William Mempa.

*Founding Members: Andrew Reichel

*Tape manipulations, digital deconstructions or turntable creations: Digital deconstructions. Plunderphonics is only one aspect of my music. Most of it is music created by myself, but I integrate sampling with it too.

*Is there a story behind your name? I found the term Gel-Sol in Robert Anton Wilson’s “Prometheus Rising” book. Here’s the actual quote: “The brain appears to be made up of matter in electro-colloidal suspension (protoplasm). Colloids are pulled together, toward a condition of gel, by their surface tensions. This is because surface tensions pull all glue-like substances together. Colloids are also, conversely, pushed apart, toward a condition of sol, by their electrical charges. This is because their electrical charges are similar, and similar electrical charges always repel each other. In the equilibrium between gel and sol, the colloidal suspension maintains its continuity and life continues. Move the suspension too far toward gel, or too far toward sol, and life ends. Any chemical that gets into the brain, changes the gel-sol balance, and "consciousness" is accordingly influenced. Thus, potatoes are, like LSD, "psychedelic" - in a milder way.” Gel-Sol also deals with a dichotomy between solid (GELatin) and liquid (SOLution), and I like to implement this dichotomy in my music. See my philosophies for more info.

*Location: Seattle, WA

*Original Location: Washington, D.C.

*What is your creative/artistic background: Went to college for Graphic Design and Music, and I work as a graphic artist.

*History: I have made music as Gel-Sol since 1998.

*Born: I was born in 1973 in Freehold, NJ

*Motivations: I don’t know, really. I guess I don’t know what else I would do. I write music for myself, and if anyone likes it, that’s cool.

*Philosophy: Gel-Sol represents a dichotomy between liquid and solid. One goal of mine is to transfer this idea to the music. Swirling ambience (liquid) integrated with structured beats (solid), as well as other dichotomies, like heavy vs. soft, minor vs. major, serious vs. funny. I believe there should be a balance in these dichotomies, and this allows Gel-Sol to experiment with any style of music, and not limit myself to a specific genre.

Link *How would you like to be remembered: As a badass. And as someone who stuck to their guns.

*Web address: www.gel-sol.com


www.some-assembly-required.net

1 Comments:

Anonymous Gel-Sol said...

Hey Jon!

I got a new (and epic) plunderphonics piece up at my blog.
http://gel-sol.blogspot.com/2009/08/gel-sols-adventures-beyond-plunderworld.html

Enjoy!

Yer Pal,
Gel-Sol

2:29 PM  

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