The Wake

Beatrix*JAR are couple Bianca Pettis (Beatrix) and Jacob Aaron Roske (JAR), and together they create innovative soundscapes using assorted tampered-with electronics, a technique known as circuit-bending. Any battery-powered, sound-producing device is fair game, and Beatrix*JAR utilize quite the impressive array of drum machines, keyboards, children’s toys, and other non-traditional instruments to play music they describe pretty accurately as “fuzzy sound collage”. On top of performing their music live, the couple also holds circuit-bending workshops in which they teach the art of their sonic exploration to anyone interested in learning. I asked Beatrix*JAR a few questions about circuit-bending and their particular approach to music:

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Jack Spencer: For those who don’t know, could you explain circuit-bending?

JAR: I would say it is a sonic exploration of any battery-powered sound making device and discovery of hidden organic sounds!

Beatrix: Yeah! Circuit-Bending is taking apart battery powered devices - like kids toys, keyboards or drum machines and turning them into unique new musical instruments. The process is really simple, it just involves touching different points on the circuit board.

J: We call the process making a “Sonic Shortcut”.

B: Circuit Bending is recycling and it is an inexpensive way to make music.

JS: What’s the philosophy behind your music? What makes circuit-bending more interesting to you than traditional instrumentation?

J: I call myself a sound artist and make music from a non-traditional place verses using a traditional technique and the hidden random circuit bent sounds appeal to my ears.

B: I would agree! I also make music from a very emotional place. As a kid I tried to pick up traditional musical instruments but didn’t connect. Circuit Bending really opened up the world of sound for me. So often people get caught in the idea of what they think music “should be”, circuit bending is an exploration of what music “could be”, that world is far more interesting to me.

JS: Do you ever tire of having to plug in so much stuff?

B: No! It’s a ritual now. It helps me get grounded.

J: No, I really enjoy a complex signal flow, but cables do get lost here and there!

JS: How many toys do you utilize in your music-making repertoire? What’s your favorite to play with?

J: When Beatrix*JAR plays live I play a Casio MT-540, several speaks (Texas Instruments Speak series), and Yamaha DD-3. My favorite toy to play is the AM radio and disposable flash cameras it makes for this chance based electronic theremin sounding explosions of sound!

B: I just love finding really cool samples and dropping them in - there is also this really cool mass produced “Made in China” keyboard that has some beautiful haunting sounds.

JS: How much control do you have over the sounds you create? Is it possible to play a song in the same way twice?

B: We start by making our songs on the computer. We use a really simple multi-tracking program.

J: We call the songs we make “digital roadmaps”, they’re composed of samples and found sounds.

B: When we play live we play along with the roadmap and inject layers of circuit bent sounds and samples.

J: It’s never the same show twice. I really enjoy the freedom to perform within chaos and order.

JS: When did you two meet and how long have you been making music together?

J: We met at a Canadian boarding school and have been making sound collage for five years together! (laughing!)

B: (laughing!) We met back in 2004 in a video-editing suite. We hit it off immediately and started collaborating on visual stuff – videos and collage. The music came a few months later. Jacob was performing solo as JAR and we were always making new songs together. Things just sort of naturally evolved into Beatrix*JAR.

JS: What’s the most fun you’ve had at a performance or workshop?

J: Most fun workshop and show to date was in Oahu! Circuit bending in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, local people came out to show their support and engage with us!

B: Visiting Hawaii was by far my favorite too!

JS: TuPac or Biggie?

J: Luigi Russolo!

B: Biggie. (I never thought that “sound art” would take me this far!)

JS: What made you want to begin doing workshops to teach circuit-bending? What are some pieces of advice or ideas you give to those you teach?

B: We started teaching because people had no idea what we were talking about!

J: Workshops are another way to communicate the idea of just what we are doing when we make music as Beatrix*JAR.

B: We’re pretty interactive people anyway! Workshops invite people inside the process and open their ears to a whole new world of sound.

J: Working “hands-on” with people as sonic explorers you really see their eyes light up when they make that first sonic connection! My advice: Go to your local thrift store and buy an inexpensive toy or sound making device to practice on. Don’t get discouraged if you do burn it out or can’t find a new sound right away!

B: My advice: Come to one of our workshops! We break circuit bending down to metaphors and don’t get caught up in the (sometimes overwhelming) technical details!

JS: Have there ever been any major accidents or power failures at a performance? I know from my own experience with electronics that they’re not always my friend.

B: I can’t think of any – sure we’ve had some moments but we take them in stride as our “beautiful fuck-ups”

J: No, but a friend of ours permanently altered a really nice Suzuki Omni Chord at one of our workshops.

JS: What does the future hold for Beatrix Jar?

B: More shows! More workshops! Another CD! Look for us on tour!

J: Beatrix*JAR will continue to create sounds of the future with the machines of the past!
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Beatrix*JAR will perform live at the Kitty Kat Club on Wednesday, September 24 with Athletes In Slacks. Be sure also to check their website for info on upcoming workshops and to buy a CD!

Beatrixjar.com
Beatrix*JAR on MySpace

Tags: Beatrx*JAR, Interview