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Computer Generated Music

Computer Generated Music

Posted on the

Hot Chip’s Hot Takes

A party vibe descended on Koestler House this week, as Computer Generated Music judges, Hot Chip, played the music entries through our mini boom box speakers. The Grammy and Mercury Prize nominated band were able to give top tier feedback to entrants, and they remarked that some of the tracks would go down very well in their own DJ sets. The whole band was in the house: Alexis Taylor, Joe Goddard, Owen Clarke, Felix Martin and Al Doyle told us more about what it takes to stand out in this category, and in the genre as a whole.

How does judging the 2018 Koestler Awards compare to previous years?

Al: I’ve been enjoying it very much. There’s been quite a lot of multiple entries which is very good because you get to see a breadth of work from one person which is exciting. It’s been really good to hear some stuff that’s been very original.

Has anything really stood out or shocked you?

Joe: One track in particular had a very minimal and interesting beat, and the performer was giving a monologue about his life over the top of it. It was very real, and also had an amazing philosophical point to it. We were just saying that you can really imagine playing it in the middle of a DJ set, one of the sets that we play, and people really responding to it. It was really honest, and you get to hear a view point that you would never usually hear in most commercial music. So, it was really interesting.

Alexis: Definitely. In this category it’s quite nice when somebody stands out, lets you see their character and personality. Because a lot of it is instrumental, it’s harder to hear a unique kind of voice, but we’re hearing that in some of the music.

Is there anything you’d like to hear more of in this category?

Alexis: Some of the producers sound like they’ve made things that are calling out for a vocalist. But maybe they don’t have somebody that they can work with, or maybe they’re not vocalists themselves.

Joe: We generally award points and kudos to people who are able to make competent examples of a house track, or a trance track or whatever. But we definitely veer towards the things that are more inventive in their sounds or rhythms.

What inspires you to return as judges for this category?

Alexis: There isn’t another context where you hear this selection of genres of music, even within the computer-generated field. So, it’s refreshing for us to hear it.

Al: It clearly has a tremendous value in terms of rehabilitation and restoring self-esteem, and all the kinds of things that you need to re-enter society.