Why don't BoC share their music knowledge?

[SonicDimension]

I understand that the brothers enjoy their privacy and I understand their aesthetic choice to keep their identities separate from their music, but I think that the way they have cultivated a sense of secrecy and mystery around their music is kind of pretentious. Why don't they open up a bit and share some of their vast musical knowledge with the world?

It seems to me that these guys are rather unique in the electronic music world with their focus on melody, emphasis on sampling and manipulation of relatively simple sounds rather than using fancy synths, embracing anachronistic music technology, and a generally experimental approach to recording.

I know that there are a lot of aspiring musicians who hear BoC's music and wonder about their techniques. We do have various interviews where they discuss different aspects of their workflow and their production techniques, but as far as I am aware they have never made any in-depth tutorials.

Do you think that they would ever consider writing something or even making some videos that explain their approach to making music? Or are they too concerned about maintaining the sense of mystery surrounding everything they do?

[Mexicola]

Their position on fan interaction seems fairly well established now and I can't see that happening. However, as they once said about playing live again 'Never say never' I guess?

Like it or loathe it, it's just the way the BOC world works.

[d e n]

they've already explained so much in the interviews......... read and listen and discover for yourself and you'll get closer than any contrived tutorial video could ever accomplish. thank god they don't do that stuff.

did you ever consider that may be its because they AREN'T concerned with exposing themselves to fulfill the 21st Century public's expectations?

[drillkicker]

I don't think they have "vast musical knowledge," I think they're just really creative. There's no complex theory involved in their music, it's all pretty straightforward, but just really unique in their own way. One of the brothers (Marcus, I think) did share the track listing for his "Campfire Mixtape," if that interests you. None of it was particularly obscure or secret music.

[SonicDimension]

I am mainly curious about their sound design techniques and general ideas about the craft of recording tracks. I am very grateful for the interviews that have been collected on bocpages over the years because they do shed a lot of light on how they work. But it would be really cool if they 'pulled back the curtain' and showed other people that you don't need to be some wizard to get started making creative electronic music.

They have said that they oppose the modern trends of laptop production and cheap 'Instagram' audio effects, so why not share some knowledge that will support artists who want to take an alternative approach?

[warphead]

Once upon a time I used to take it personally that a band (BOC) that I had so much time and love invested in, would ignore their fan-base so cruelly. Especially since I was heavily, heavily into metal and punk where mostly the relationship between band and fan-base was on the whole quite intense, loyal and tangible. Nowadays and maybe since I've grown up (a little) and have a different perspective on life-in-general I respect their hermit like attitude even more and more. Especially in this day and age. No doubt they know that we love them/hate them for their secret squirrel tendencies.

Having said that, they remain the musicians (along with Aphex) that I get most misty eyed with, and they along with Richard still generate almost a bygone obsession I had with bands l had years ago. I do sometimes think BOC could make take the odd chill pill
and perhaps open up a bit.

You know when people are younger they are more hardcore and militant with their music, I'd imagine they will chill out sooner rather than later, but deliver whatever in true BOC style. Hail BOC!

(too many beers for a tuesday afternoon)

[Cupz]

I might have disliked BoC if they gave their opinion a lot. I'm retarted that way.
Also, if you want to do things differently in music, there is no point in having someone explaining to you how. That wouldn't make you any different, now would you? BoC keeping their mouths shut is actually the best way they could promote creativity, imho.
Practice basic technique, play songs, make music, that's how you become a musician.

[drillkicker]

I am mainly curious about their sound design techniques and general ideas about the craft of recording tracks. I am very grateful for the interviews that have been collected on bocpages over the years because they do shed a lot of light on how they work. But it would be really cool if they 'pulled back the curtain' and showed other people that you don't need to be some wizard to get started making creative electronic music.

They have said that they oppose the modern trends of laptop production and cheap 'Instagram' audio effects, so why not share some knowledge that will support artists who want to take an alternative approach?

Because creativity can't be taught. If someone is a creative artist, then they don't need instructions. If they shared their techniques for making tracks, it would only encourage even more BoC copiers than there already are.

[SonicDimension]

Because creativity can't be taught. If someone is a creative artist, then they don't need instructions. If they shared their techniques for making tracks, it would only encourage even more BoC copiers than there already are.

Most creative activities require the development of technical knowledge and skills. You are suggesting that every artist should reinvent the wheel. In that case, it's a waste of time to study art in school, write books about artistic techniques, etc.

By the way, a huge number of artists begin learning the craft by imitating their favorite artists, so there is nothing wrong with that.

[drillkicker]

But why do the Sandisons need to be the ones to teach people how to use synthesizers? There are a myriad of tutorials already out there. If someone wants to imitate BoC, the vast amount of imitators there already are is evidence that they don't need the brothers to teach them how.

[d e n]

Because creativity can't be taught. If someone is a creative artist, then they don't need instructions. If they shared their techniques for making tracks, it would only encourage even more BoC copiers than there already are.

Most creative activities require the development of technical knowledge and skills. You are suggesting that every artist should reinvent the wheel. In that case, it's a waste of time to study art in school, write books about artistic techniques, etc.

By the way, a huge number of artists begin learning the craft by imitating their favorite artists, so there is nothing wrong with that.

may not be a total waste of time, but there seems to be truth to the futility of those resources.

and yes, you can imitate. but to have a it spelled out for you in a tutorial video spoils it. the instruction manuals to tape machines, samplers, or technique books for instruments are already swathed across the land.

EDIT: drillkicker we made the same post but i didn't know it. ha

[Dandegyrecorder]

because they dont want to or have to

[Auditor]

I doubt this is the reason they do it, but think about it simply from a marketing perspective. These days, creating a mystique is nigh on impossible, and many bands think that social networking is as essential, if not more, than their actual music. Now, if you set a precedent by showing and telling all, you have to keep on doing it to keep the fans happy. If the Boards were big on fan interaction and then dropped off the radar, they would probably lose a lot of fans. The fact that they are and stay quite secret creates a lot of fandom by people wanting to learn more.

We are a naturally curious species, and satisfying that hunger will satiate some of us to not delve in any further. By continuing to be intriguing and mystifying, we will keep coming back and searching deeply for hidden answers. It's probably not their reason for being that way, but it works damn well for keeping us all interested. Many of us would probably be let down if we found out that they just fuck around in the studio with analogue gear until they get the sound they want, because that's what we all do. In this age of total transparency, bands that keep low social profiles will last longer than those that show us all their warts.

[North by North]

If I made a special secret sauce that was unlike any other, and was also very special to me, let alone to a bunch of people, who also happen to fork over a lot of dough for it, allowing me to make a living (though the money not being the point, but rather something that is personal to me and created by me), why, on multiple levels, would I give that secret up?

Do head coaches of sporting teams share their play book with other teams' head coaches? A competition analysis might be off-base here, but in regards to inspiring and challenging the next people up is to make them think and inspire something new, not giving them the playbook to do the same thing. That would make for a high scoring, though eventually boring game.

[Mexicola]

because they dont want to or have to

Spot on. I'm sure they have several better things to do.

[drillkicker]

I doubt this is the reason they do it, but think about it simply from a marketing perspective. These days, creating a mystique is nigh on impossible, and many bands think that social networking is as essential, if not more, than their actual music. Now, if you set a precedent by showing and telling all, you have to keep on doing it to keep the fans happy. If the Boards were big on fan interaction and then dropped off the radar, they would probably lose a lot of fans. The fact that they are and stay quite secret creates a lot of fandom by people wanting to learn more.

We are a naturally curious species, and satisfying that hunger will satiate some of us to not delve in any further. By continuing to be intriguing and mystifying, we will keep coming back and searching deeply for hidden answers. It's probably not their reason for being that way, but it works damn well for keeping us all interested. Many of us would probably be let down if we found out that they just fuck around in the studio with analogue gear until they get the sound they want, because that's what we all do. In this age of total transparency, bands that keep low social profiles will last longer than those that show us all their warts.

Maybe that's all true, but Devin Townsend does commentary over every single one of his albums and even did a live stream of him writing a song from beginning to end, and his music continues to amaze me despite not being a secret.

[arvy]

the answer is in their music,

will try to explain a little, i see their music as expermentation of sound, so you just can't teach how to do it, you have to try it for yourself, trial of errors, that's why some tracks sound exactly as they named

[Jango9]

They've mentioned in an interview or two that they're not particularly fond of people who don't really care about the music copying their style just to cash in on it. With that in mind, why would they put the guides out there for any two-bit hack to rip off their production techniques? If someone's really dedicated to the craft, they could probably figure out a pretty decently sized chunk of it on their own without anything of the sort.

[SonicDimension]

I should have known better than to say something remotely critical of Boards of Canada on Twoism...

Anyway, I would just like to make the suggestion to Mike and Marcus. I think it would be wonderful to gain deeper insight into how they work. I hope that they will consider sharing something one day if they can find some time.

[Cupz]

In that case, it's a waste of time to study art in school.

Speaking as someone who studies art in school: It is.