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https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-avalanches-interview-australia-e-waste-problem-92392/>
"For more than two decades, The Avalanches have built a reputation on the art
of transformation, turning forgotten fragments of vinyl, tape and found sound
into expansive, kaleidoscopic electronic music. Now, the ARIA-winning duo have
taken that philosophy beyond the studio.
Working with Telstra as part of the company’s Second Life Sounds initiative,
the group helped design a fully functional synthesiser built largely from
discarded electronics — old phones, gaming consoles, cables and other
components that might otherwise end up as e-waste. The instrument is intended
as both a creative experiment and a tangible reminder of a growing
environmental issue: Australians produce around 20 kilograms of electronic
waste per person each year — among the highest rates in the world — while an
estimated 65 million unused devices sit idle in drawers and cupboards across
the country.
In the conversation below, The Avalanches discuss the scale of Australia’s
e-waste problem, how their sample-driven approach to music shaped the project,
and why repurposing old technology felt like a natural extension of their
creative process. They also touch briefly on what’s next for the band — even
if, for now, they’re keeping most of it under wraps."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
