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Baker's Dozen

A Controlling Cacophony: Dan Deacon's Favourite Albums
Dom Smith , June 9th, 2015 09:28

With his fourth album Gliss Riffer released earlier this year and a European tour just started, the Baltimore electronics wizard tells Dom Smith what the gems in his record collection have given to his own musical creations

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Eliane Radigue - Trilogie de la Mort
I can't remember when I first heard this piece, but it's something I go to when I get stressed out or overwhelmed. Calming is the wrong word, because sometimes I don't want to be calm when I'm stressed out. I just think it's neutral. It's ominous and without human emotion. I don't feel scared, I don't feel safe, I don't feel happy or sad. I just feel. I like music that can put me in the mindset that can be just pure music and tone and be beautiful at the same time. Sometimes when I have anxiety that's exactly what I need to level myself out, so I can feel what I'm feeling and still comprehend it. Which is why I write music in the first place. It's very therapeutic for me.

When I hear this and I think about the insane form, the hour-long movements and the process in which it was made I find it very inspiring. It's another piece that isn't going to find insane recognition, or any at all, but it's such a beautiful piece and you can tell endless amounts of work were poured into it. As someone who has found success but is still working on the fringes, it's always inspiring to hear music that takes risks, but focuses on the creation of the work. I think every band thinks they exist in somewhere weird. I think I just make really noisy pop music. I know there are so many bands that are so much more on the fringe, but I try not to worry about it.