A Direct Message To Mike And Marcus, Teach Us Anything.

[TheStatPow]

I probably am one of the rare person to actually get mad at you on this forum.

But it is because I am passionate about your music. (no hard feelings Michael and Marcus. )


Why won't you teach us anything? I mean clearly you are the master when it comes to music composition, mixing and stuff, you are so passionate about what you do one would believe.

If you are so passionate about music and if you really do love your fanbase, why is it that we don't learn anything from you?

I guess one would say "well with all the material they've put out, maybe just observe and learn?" Its not that easy.

I mean sure it is a gift that you give us with your music and I have mad respect that you do that but I still really question the motive behind some of your stuff, yes you do stay secretive and barely communicate with us to maybe keep the atmosphere I guess? or the misterious feel that all of this have?

But it still makes me mad that we don't get more from you on a social level, almost something out of grasp like looking at a paradise from a window but not being able to really reach it.

Is it to keep us from ripping you off? iirc you don't make much of a living out of music.

You guys are such a tease omg.
All we got from you in the last 5 years is some tweets sharing from time to time a video clip a fan made or to plug new merch.

I am for once going to be that ungrateful brat and put an end to this stupid scheme.

WE ARE HUMAN LIKE YOU MARCUS AND MICHAEL WE ARE NOT GOING TO BITE YOU, AT LEAST SAY SOMETHING.


If you won't teach us anything, We at least only demand that you at least communicate with us more.


Thank you, with much love <3

[Mexicola]

Oh boy. Goodnight everyone. Please be gentle with this one

[15Dreams]

You act like they owe us something lol

As far as composition goes, there's a 5-page thread around here where I analytically break down some of their songs and I'm currently open to requests (:

[Jango9]

You see, in one sense one can believe that "nothing" is in fact merely a subset of things which can exist underneath the banner of "something". Boards themselves made a song called "Nothing Is Real", which further cements the fact that nothing isn't merely the idea of nothing that we've been trained to see it as, but in fact something real and tangible. Therefore, by teaching us nothing they are in fact teaching us something.

(By the way, have your read their back catalog of interviews? They talk about all sorts of stuff in 'em!)

[Hexamerous]

I think it's way more powerful to teach you all by yourself, trying to figure out how they are doing it. There is a whole community here to help too.

BoC wouldn't be as impactful if it was less mysterious. I really like them for that

[TheStatPow]

You guys are right, Sorry

[Cupz]

I agree with some of OP's sentiments. This boc fandom is nothing but blue balls at this point.

*raises sickle*

[Opothecary]

[chronical]

meanwile at ⬡ headquarters..

[chronical]

okay I'm sorry for posting two gifs in a row but this fits them even better

[realspiel]

Unfortunately is a product of the fandom, they have just played along. and kept the performance going.

Their whole USP is secrecy and puzzles, that's what everybody loves about them.

It would be nice to have a album date release klaxon but it is just not going to happen.

[Negamuse]

It's true BoC owe us nothing, even any new music. But when you think about all the artistic talent, thoughtfulness, and all-round goodwill there is in places like this (and I've already said, BoC fans seem to have more of that about them as a percentage than a lot of other bands, I've never seen such a motivated fanbase) it does kind of feel like a waste that there's no engagement at all. If it were me I'd be trying to channel some of that. Even just acknowledge that it's there, once in a while actually. But hey, they make music for them and their friends and get on with their lives I guess.

I can't help feeling from time to time that they sort of hate the fanbase a bit though. There's plenty of shy and enigmatic bands out there but they do occasionally wave at their listeners on social media or do an interview.

[Gazebo4]

The essence of what they communicate to the listener is something much deeper than what could be conveyed in words. They communicate through their music. Every artist knows that true creativity comes from something deeper than the mind, a place of stillness. If you really listen to their music with a spacious attention it reflects back to you. It is something of great beauty, there is something to it that has an extra dimension to it, yet you can't really put it in words. That is the special place they are taking you. It's almost like you know, without understanding it in words or as thoughts.

The little details they put in can also be seen as a way of communication, although things can get out of hand because, as the track title on Geogaddi goes, the devil is in the details.

Also, remember this quote:

"I do actually believe that there are powers in music that are almost supernatural. I think you actually manipulate people with music, and that is definitely what we are trying to do."

Art is an expression of a deeper place within and that is what they communicate. Sure they do some interviews, but if there is more engagement in the form of words and text, it defeats the purpose. The music speaks.

[SonicDimension]

I agree with the OP. I get the feeling that BoC do not appreciate their fans at all. They never perform live, they hoard maybe 95% of the tracks they record in a secret vault, they rarely give interviews, and now it seems like they rarely release any new music. They take this mystery/secrecy bit too far.

Also, as a musician, I am very interested in learning about the brothers’ approach to making music. I have read all of the interviews, so I have a general understanding of their techniques, but I would absolutely love it if they would let the world have a peek at what goes on inside the Hexagon Sun studios. In fact, that would be even more exciting than a new album release for me.

[euphor]

I understand the reasoning behind the whole "they don't appreciate their fans" thing, but don't you think that's a consequence of the lore behind BoC? They're supposed to be mysterious and strange, like a memory. I think they have openly invited people to dig into their music, find samples, etc. since the beginning of BoC. And the thousands of songs they're "hiding" from the world are for good reason, I trust that Marcus and Mike pick the best songs in the best order for the general population. But some more leaks would be nice

As for wanting to learn how they produce music, I doubt they will ever reveal any of that info any time soon. It kind of ruins the magic of BoC, the fact that nobody else sounds quite like them.

[TheStatPow]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

I actually agree that it is what makes BoC awesome, the mysteries and all, and it is true that they do not owe us anything.

I think I just got a bit sidetracked and impatient waiting for a new release, I even feel a bit bad for that post but whatever, I don't regret it

[Gazebo4]

Don't worry about it! I guess most of us have this feeling sometimes. Even though their current output always stays fresh (most of it anyway), you just can't help yourself longing for novelty, their music is just that special

[747Music]

okay I'm sorry for posting two gifs in a row but this fits them even better

That gif is my kinda party!! I can't wait for summer. More beer-adventure-fueled campfire forest parties with friends await.

Although I'd sign up in a heartbeat for lessons from Chas and Sauce, I'm really enjoying figuring things out through experimenting and discussions with friends. Making cool and creative discoveries regarding sound is fantastic.

[Josh]

Put me in the "less is more" category. I don't find them to be particularly mysterious, they're just not playing the same game that most pop stars play. Instead of being constantly bombarded with social media posts updating us on what they are or aren't up to, or checking in to announce they've added some tacky crap to their merchandise store, or letting us know exactly how they feel about this or that, they just go about their business. When they have music to release, there's a build up, maybe an ARG, maybe not, but then the album comes out followed by a handful or so of interviews and then they go away again. They don't owe anyone anything. I think they handle their art and their relationship to their audience with class and dignity, which is a rarity these days.

Besides, look at us! We're a bunch of weirdos! I wouldn't blame them for being a bit creeped out by the obsessiveness. Okay, maybe I'm mostly talking about myself here. Heh.

[Negamuse]

Them saying anything doesn't necessarily mean them taking the pop star route and talking about themselves. In fact id really rather it didn't, I find that kind of thing boring and kinda intrusive.

On the other hand is clear they've read and watched a lot of things with their eyes open. They've got a lot to say about the state of the world, people, politics, the dark side of human nature. Stuff that a lot of other musicians don't have, yet we know much more about every dull detail of their days. And yes some of this comes out in the music but let's be honest it amounts to a few samples here and there a lot of the time. Well chosen, well hidden samples but all the work is on our side to join the dots and try and construct a narrative around it, just like a lot of the "mystery" is kinda confected really. Not saying something isn't in and of itself mysterious but a willing record company going "oooh so mysterious" and fanning the flames so the press repeat it (mysterious Scottish duo boards of Canada...) makes a lot of people act as if it is.

This is why I say it's a waste. They've got a lot to say but they don't say it. It's a waste of a platform, an opportunity to pass something on.

If you've ever looked into the Bible critically you'll know what I mean when I talk about the difference between what Jesus says and what people say about Jesus. A lot of the mythology of BoC and their music breaks down when you look at how much of it actually comes from them and how much comes from people reading into them. And in the absence of actually saying anything, it's eye rolling to elevate them to messiahs of electronic music the way the press often do. It's probably sacrilege to say but they're just good tunes with a bit of texture and a hint at deeper themes that never get filled in, and I'd love to see more of that done, but it just seems sometimes like they're not bothered and everybody is content to pretend they did.