Blog Post #3

April 29th, 1992 (Miami) by Sublime shares their perspective of the Los Angeles riots that spilled into Long Beach. I was interested in Sublime’s use of sound bites from CNN reporters and LA officers who were conspirators in the beating of Rodney King. Apparently, it’s the only localized account of the riots in Long Beach. Sound bites are really powerful in contrast with vocals, ambient music or electronic sound. My group and I are thinking of using sound bites like this and taking it a step further by possibly distorting and manipulating the visuals linked to those sounds.  

Gil Scott-Heron's poem provides a contrast in ambience and language that I want to embody and work to create in collaboration with music. There is a certain power within saying crucially important words in a serious tone with upbeat, rhythmic bongos accompanying those words. Even though there is an element of seriousness in his voice, there is also a comedic nature about his delivery. Catching your audience off guard or granting an almost satirical, misleading tone in relation to the medium that's curating the environment around it draws listeners in. I also appreciate the succession of the anger and intensity in his voice and language as the spoken word draws to a close- this growing tension is something my group and I really want to create.