Yes, Matthew Herbert, the British electronic musician and producer, indeed used a horse skeleton as one of the unique instruments to create his latest album titled "The End of Silence." The album was released in 2013 and is a sonic exploration of the life and death of a farm animal.

Matthew Herbert is known for his innovative and experimental approach to music production. For this particular project, he wanted to create a concept album that would shed light on the process of food production and the ethical issues surrounding it. To achieve this, he decided to use the sounds and samples directly sourced from a horse's skeleton.

Herbert acquired the horse skeleton from a farm in Wales and spent several months meticulously recording the sounds it produced. He used contact microphones and various percussive objects to capture the unique timbres and tones that the bones could produce. By tapping, scraping, and striking the skeleton, he was able to create a wide range of sounds, from eerie creaks and resonances to more percussive and rhythmic elements.

These sounds became the foundation for the album, with Herbert manipulating and processing them to create musical compositions. He combined the horse skeleton samples with other organic sounds, such as recordings of heartbeats, breathing, and even the sound of an abattoir. The result is a haunting and thought-provoking sonic journey that challenges listeners to confront the realities of animal agriculture.

"The End of Silence" is an ambitious project that not only showcases Herbert's creativity and technical prowess but also raises important questions about our relationship with animals and the ethics of food production. It serves as a powerful example of how music can be used as a medium for social commentary and activism.

It is worth noting that Matthew Herbert has a long history of incorporating unconventional sounds into his music. In his previous works, he has sampled everything from kitchen utensils to human body sounds, pushing the boundaries of what is considered traditional music production. This approach has earned him critical acclaim and a reputation as a true sonic innovator.

References:

1. "Matthew Herbert: The End of Silence." Accidental Records. https://www.accidentalrecords.com/releases/the-end-of-silence/

2. "Matthew Herbert: One Pig." The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2011/sep/11/matthew-herbert-one-pig-album

David Adhikari

David Adhikari

David Adhikari

There are no posts to show