Turntablism is defined as the art of manipulating sounds and creating new music, sound effects and other creative sounds using one or more turntables. Enter Rachael Guma.
We invited Rachael to join us in the making of a piece called Lux Aeterna. She is a multi-media artist, maker of beautiful animation films, a foley artist, theramist (I’m sure that’s not a word but it implies she plays the theremin), a turntablist, and much more.
When Rachael came to the studio to record with us she brought along what looked like a Fritz-The-Cat bag of magic tricks. It was like Mary Poppins’ bag that, although only a foot in depth, contains an endless mountain of odds and ends and noisemakers. I swear she reached deep within and pulled out a four foot long hunting sword from this small little bag but I've been told that was only a dream I had. She also brought along a small plastic turntable and a shopping bag of records, some with heavy tape positioned at various points on the disc. I immediately thought that I’d never lend her my albums if this is how she would treat them.
The song we were recording was essentially already written and for this recording session we were focused on recording Rachael’s part. She had never heard the song before so she had to respond to what we did without any forethought. Once her table was set up with various sundry elements and I got the recording gear ready I said to her; “Okay Rachael - you start us off.” This is like throwing someone into the lion’s den. Some people would have shied away, some would ask what key the song is in or how fast the song is or mood or…… She didn’t blink and started playing one of her records with the thick tape strategically placed so the record would skip at preordained spots. I did mention that I would never lend her one of my records. What she created was akin to a glorious fanfare gone horribly wrong that fell into a repetitive scratch. I loved what she did so much that I kept it and how the song begins on the record is exactly what Rachael played for us that night. Talk about nailing it on the first try - well that’s the definition.
But even more remarkable was what came during the middle section of the song where she began to randomly drop the needle on a record that was a radio play of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World that depicts a futuristic dystopian society. Thankfully this record is in the public domain. The sections and words she randomly dropped the needle on were so perfect for this song that I truly believe that this moment and her improvisational performance was divine providence. I know, it’s only a song, but, sometimes, it seems music guides us in the right direction. There is no other explanation.
Here is a short clip of the magic of Lady Rachael as she puts her turntable styings through a series of pedals and you'll see why I titled this update as I did.
For my next blog I will write a short piece about our longest song to date.
Until then, be well.
Richard