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December 27, 2016
Jeff Mills Discusses His Latest Album 'Planets' at The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation | INTERVIEW
MUSIC | Album "Planets" Interview, Scheduled for Early 2017 Release
The Substance of Jeff Mills' 35-Year Career Culmination (Part 1)
Jeff Mills, an electronic music artist active across global music and art scenes, primarily in Europe. His recent collaboration with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra in March and appearance on TV Asahi's "Untitled Concert" have generated buzz not only among his usual club fans but also in classical and more academic circles in Japan. Next year, he will release his new work "Planets," which he has written for the first time for an orchestra. A preview listening session for the album, scheduled for release in CD and Blu-ray formats including 5.1ch surround sound, was held in the 5.1ch surround sound environment of The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. On the same day, we spoke with Mills, who was listening to his own work as a participant, about "Planets."
Text by ASAKURA Nao
A Space Travel Experience in 5.1ch Surround Sound
—The production of "Planets" is nearly complete. Could you tell us about your current feelings?
This album can be considered the culmination of everything I've accumulated since I started with classical music in 2005, and I believe it will be an important turning point for the electronic music world. In that sense, all elements are intertwined, so I paid great attention during the mastering and mixing processes, researching various things to ensure the best possible outcome for myself.
—We had the incredibly valuable experience of listening to your new album "Planets" in 5.1ch surround at The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. You mentioned it was your first time listening here as well. How was it for you?
I tried to meticulously express the physical characteristics of the "planets" in surround sound, and as I expected, I felt it was reproduced accurately. The effect of surround sound is greater in larger rooms, and I think the surround effect came across particularly well with Saturn.
—As I listened, I felt it was very relaxing, but at times I was overcome with a sense of unease or tension.
It's natural to feel unease. That's because when I spoke with Mamoru Mohri, the director of this museum and the first Japanese astronaut to board the Space Shuttle, he shared his experiences, and I was struck by how astronauts feel anxious during space missions, embarking on journeys where they are constantly facing death. I wanted to express that even beautiful planets are dangerous places for humans.
For example, in "Loop Transit" (a piece representing the space between planets), we currently think of "space" as "darkness with nothing there," but perhaps there might be something within it. Also, after the final track ends, I've made the volume of the silence so loud that it would shatter the speakers if there were a sound there. This is to express that while we humans can't hear it, perhaps dogs might. Beyond the solar system, there might be something that humans cannot see or hear. I'm expressing that possibility.
—It was truly an immersive space travel experience. In the previous talk session, you mentioned that the concept for "Planets," your career's magnum opus, originated around 2005, about ten years ago. Has your interest in "space" been with you since childhood?
I think it was around elementary school. During the Apollo program in the 60s and 70s, there was a lot of talk about space flight plans. For example, teachers would show NASA news on TV in school, and it was integrated into everyone's lives. My friends and I were all interested and often talked about it. Astronauts were celebrities.
—You are releasing an album themed around this very "space travel." Were there any difficulties during the production process?
Not particularly. For many years, I've meticulously written down details about each planet and how to travel between them. Regarding the recording, all the musicians were professionals, and I communicated with the arranger to ensure we shared the same vision of what we wanted to express, so it went smoothly from there. It wasn't easy, but because the preparation was thorough, I wouldn't say it was difficult.
Page02.Sound Design Based on Scientific Evidence of Planets
MUSIC | Album "Planets" Interview, Scheduled for Early 2017 Release
The Substance of Jeff Mills' 35-Year Career Culmination (Part 2)
Sound Design Based on Scientific Evidence of Planets
—I understand that "Planets" was created based on scientific and material evidence, unlike Holst's "The Planets" from 100 years ago, which was based on Greek mythology. What were your inspirations for each individual track?
I used my imagination based on the physical characteristics of each planet. Broadly speaking, planets are either rocky or gaseous. For rocky planets, you can imagine walking on their surfaces, and I translated that sensation into sound. For planets far from Earth, like Pluto and Neptune, I created mysterious atmospheres. Saturn's rotation is the fastest, so I expressed that in sound. Saturn's rings resemble analog records, so I tried to capture the feeling of listening to the loops of their grooves.
—Do you have a favorite planet, or one that holds particular significance for you?
Mars, perhaps. There's no particular reason... In the 90s, I became interested in Saturn and created a work called "Discover The Rings Of Saturn." My interest in Saturn has continued since then, so I've constantly kept up with scientific information. I gathered a lot of new data and revisited that project in the 2000s.
—You mentioned that if scientists make new discoveries about planets, you would add new tracks. If new discoveries are made about existing planets, would you rework the existing songs?
Yes. For example, if life were discovered on Mars, that would be a major discovery, and I might rework the song to resemble Earth, where life exists. My hope is that someone will take over this task and continue it even after I'm gone.
The Next Theme: "Black Holes"
—I heard that the theme for your next project after "Planets" is "black holes." Do you have any concepts in mind?
I'm considering about five scenarios for the theme of what lies beyond a black hole. Perhaps it could be an entirely different dimension, or a parallel universe, or perhaps absolute "nothingness." I intend to express these five scenarios, but I haven't yet figured out the specific sound design. I've been interested in black holes since around '94, and I planned to create it as "X104" in the "X series" that came up when discussing Saturn. However, that project was lost midway. Years have passed, and I've gathered a lot of information about black holes, so I feel now is a good time.
—I'm looking forward to it. Will it likely be a dark-themed album? Lastly, do you have any goals for your private life ten years from now?
I'll probably be doing fewer DJ gigs and touring worldwide, but that will free up more time. In ten years, there will undoubtedly be new discoveries, and I want to use those as themes for recording. I'll probably be making music more than I am now.
—Your private life is also that of an "artist." Thank you very much!
Jeff Mills
Born in Detroit, USA, in 1963. A pioneer of "Detroit Techno," a genre that forms the foundation of current electronic music. He heads Axis Records. As a DJ, he performs at events worldwide nearly 100 times a year. He actively collaborates not only in music but also with contemporary art. In 2007, he was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government, equivalent to the Order of Cultural Merit in Japan. In 2013, he composed the music for the oval bridge surrounding the "Geo-Cosmos," the symbolic Earth display at The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. His music is still used there today. His performances with orchestras, which began with a collaboration with the Montpellier Philharmonic Orchestra in 2005, have all sold out worldwide. While a pioneer in the electronic music scene, he is also recognized globally as an innovator in the classical music world.
http://www.axisrecords.com/jp/
http://www.umaa.net/who/Jeff_Mills.html
Jeff Mills & Orquestra Sinfônica Casa da Música "Planets"
Release Date: February 22, 2017
First Press Limited Edition [CD + Blu-ray] ¥3,800 (excluding tax) UMA-9090-9091
Standard Edition [2 CDs] ¥2,800 (excluding tax) UMA-1090-1091
*Both the first press limited edition and standard edition include self-liner notes by Jeff Mills and liner notes by Kaku Mita (ele-king).
[Limited Edition]
Blu-ray
Final Orchestra Version
<Switchable between 5.1ch and stereo sound. Bonus interview footage: Jeff Mills, Sylvain Griotto (Arranger), Christophe Mangou (Conductor)>
CD
Original Electronic Version <Stereo>
[Standard Edition]
CD1
Final Orchestra Version <Stereo>
CD2
Original Electronic Version <Stereo>
Tracklist
1. Introduction
2. Mercury
3. Loop Transit 1
4. Venus
5. Loop Transit 2
6. Earth
7. Loop Transit 3
8. Mars
9. Loop Transit 4
10. Jupiter
11. Loop Transit 5
12. Saturn
13. Loop Transit 6
14. Uranus
15. Loop Transit 7
16. Neptune
17. Loop Transit 8
18. Pluto
Details: http://www.umaa.net/what/planets.html
[Upcoming Concert Information]
Bakucla! Presents
Jeff Mills x Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra x Battistoni: Classical Experience II - Space and Time Edition
[Osaka Performance]
Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2017 | Doors Open 6:00 PM / Performance Starts 7:00 PM
Venue: Festival Hall
[Tokyo Performance]
Date: Saturday, February 25, 2017 | Doors Open 5:30 PM / Performance Starts 6:00 PM
Venue: Bunkamura Orchard Hall
Ticket Prices (tax included / same for Osaka and Tokyo): SS Seat ¥8,800 / S Seat ¥7,800 / A Seat ¥6,800
Ticket Sales Start: Saturday, January 14, 2017, 10:00 AM ~ (Official website pre-sale available)
Performers (Osaka and Tokyo):
DJ: Jeff Mills
Conductor: Andrea Battistoni / Orchestra: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra / Navigator: Reiko Yuyama
[Event / Official Website]
http://www.promax.co.jp/bakucla/