Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith and Suzanne Ciani come from two different generations. If there's one thing that connects them however, it's the Buchla synthesizer.
We interviewed ‘the‘ Ciani and Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith!!!
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith and Suzanne Ciani come from very different generations, but if that’s one thing that unites the two composers it’s their preferred instrument. The Buchla was developed at the same time when Robert Moog started producing the synthesizer that would be introduced to the world through a curious but nonetheless immensly successful record, Wendy Carlos‘ Switched-On Bach. Two synthesizers, two different philosophies: While the Moog tried to convey the feel and practicality of a keyboard-based instrument, the Buchla was a completely new instrument intended for completely new music.
Speaking metaphorically, what is then electricity to you while you are making sound with the Buchla or another synthesizer? KS: That is one of my favourite things to think about when I am making music. When I first learned it, that was on a 100, which I am sure Suzanne has also played. SC: Yes. KS: At least with the one I was playing, the impedance level was just not really haunting in at this time. You could really feel these pulses of electricity. If I turned on the light switch, you could hear the difference and depending on what monitors I was using, I could hear the pumping of electricity. It feels like this live force and that is something that I first started to relate to and I come back to that thought a lot. It sounds abstract but it is my personal relationship with it. SC: Also, for me the underlying electricity is an actual source of stability. The consistent cycling, the perfect rhythmic pulsing is something that I think has a subliminal comfort and allows us to feel secure and relaxed. KS: Oh, that is so interesting. I like that.
Full interview here.
The “Sunergy” documentary: