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

[Cosmic Manta]

They are simply a band. They are not here to cater to our needs, and they didn't choose to gain a following. They make things on their time, and they do it because they like to. They have never forced us to listen to any of it―it's just an option. I doubt it makes them much difference either way.

[dustbowl27]

Yes, this whole idea of "teach us anything" is a distraction because it’s all there in the music. On Jaron Lanier's You Are Not A Gadget, Mike Sandison said he agrees with the view that social media gives the illusion of being liberated but instead homogenizes the entire userbase.

In a similar way, they care too much about the music to start hypnotizing their listeners with anything but the music itself. Not to mention, in interviews, they’ve always generously mentioned their influences and interests. You have to actively seek these things out.

BoC offers a different kind of relationship with their music that is extremely rare in this day and age. I think it shows more love for their listeners because they recognize that the music they’ve made is greater than themselves. Thank god someone is out there staying committed.

[Cupz]

They are not here to cater to our needs, and they didn't choose to gain a following.

According to interviews Boards of Canada started as a side-project. They probably continued because it worked (labels where interested). Why bother with signing to a label (and then move to an even bigger label shortly thereafter) if you're not choosing to gain a following? I don't buy it.

I'm sorry to say this, but either BoC are being lazy or warp is refusing to release their work (doubt it). It took 10 years for TH, with promises of more frequent releases. That was 5 years ago and all we got was a couple of remixes and a lackluster rerelease (that the fanbase swallowed religiously). We were promised a new website with news and updates and its still just a redirect to their bleep page. Its like the few things they do say are based on lies.

And I'm sorry, but the constant number wang is just not fun and mysterious for me anymore.

[Cupz]

boards of spoony experiment

[Mexicola]

This WAS a reply to Negamuse but her post just disappeared! Lol

Don't doubt it for a second, but surely it's their choice whether they want to express that? In the age of knowing everything about everybody I quite like their reticence to play along.

Hey, whatever, I DO understand the urge to hear more. I just accepted it for what it was along time ago.

[Valotonin]

And I'm sorry, but the constant number wang is just not fun and mysterious for me anymore.

I think that means its time to rotate the board!!!!1!

duu duu doot do doo

[Cupz]

In the age of knowing everything about everybody I quite like their reticence to play along.

I don't want to know them personally, I want them to do their job and release more music.

Teach us anything, give us more music!

[747Music]

Yes, this whole idea of "teach us anything" is a distraction because it’s all there in the music. On Jaron Lanier's You Are Not A Gadget, Mike Sandison said he agrees with the view that social media gives the illusion of being liberated but instead homogenizes the entire userbase.

In a similar way, they care too much about the music to start hypnotizing their listeners with anything but the music itself. Not to mention, in interviews, they’ve always generously mentioned their influences and interests. You have to actively seek these things out.

BoC offers a different kind of relationship with their music that is extremely rare in this day and age. I think it shows more love for their listeners because they recognize that the music they’ve made is greater than themselves. Thank god someone is out there staying committed.

well said

[Valotonin]

In the age of knowing everything about everybody I quite like their reticence to play along.

I don't want to know them personally, I want them to release more music.

I am sorry if I don't word this very well but I am immensely underslept.

I think to a certain degree they are very careful not to put a definitive date or time limit (except for stating that the gap between albums would be shorter than the gap between TCH and TH) on plans for the future such as an updated website, an EP or LP etc. I agree that the situation is getting rather more stagnant, but if anything that might be a positive sign. The phrase that I will bastardize here is "Its always darkest before the dawn" because it is entirely true in regards to BoC's music. It hits total stagnation from the fan's perspective and people begin to lose hope that an album will come around, and suddenly an album emerges.

They could probably release music akin to the more interlude-esque tracks on TH in a second, an album of atmospheric drone with some subtleties but I feel this wait comes from the fact that they value their music and their fans more than that, more than to just give them a sub-par product if it means getting it done quickly.

I agree that at least a personal BoC website would be nice, the redirect to the Bleep makes it feel quite commercial and indirect but it is likely a temporary state whilst the new website is being worked on.

[Mexicola]

DANCE FOR ME! DANCE FOR ME MONKEYBOY!! (CLAP!CLAP!)

[Mexicola]

And lest we forget, the Numberwang stuff isn't confirmed as anything other than us fanboys imagining the whole thing.

[Valotonin]

Do you think its my fault, guys?
Did I ruin it?

Did they look at my post history and go "Nope. We're out"

[Cupz]

DANCE FOR ME! DANCE FOR ME MONKEYBOY!! (CLAP!CLAP!)

You could say this about anyone that has to work for a living.

If they'd work the same hours as an average nurse we'd have tomorrows harvest quality records every 3 to 4 years. Maybe even more often.

Just to put things in perspective. Production time from initial thought-seed to final product:
The Beatles's Revolver: 3 months.
Micheal Jackson's Thriller: 6 months
Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon: 7 months
Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band: 9 months
Beach Boys's Pet Sounds: 11 months
2001: A Space Odyssey: 4 years
Hihat in New Seeds: 6 months

[Valotonin]

DANCE FOR ME! DANCE FOR ME MONKEYBOY!! (CLAP!CLAP!)

You could say this about anyone that has to work for a living.

If they'd work the same hours as an average nurse we'd have tomorrows harvest quality records every 3 to 4 years. Maybe even more often.

Just to put things in perspective. Production time from initial thought-seed to final product:
The Beatles's Revolver: 3 months.
Micheal Jackson's Thriller: 6 months
Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon: 7 months
Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band: 9 months
Beach Boys's Pet Sounds: 11 months
2001: A Space Odyssey: 4 years

Noted, but let's face the fact that we know more man-hours went into TH than a lot of those combined.
It can't be nice feeling like a piece of music production cattle being milked for your creativity. That alone in a lot of people is enough to create a complete creative block. Akin to my sleeping, if I feel there is any pressure to go to sleep, I will be unable to sleep and I will stay awake all night re-watching Kubrick films before spending the following day writing complete tripe on Twoism for all to behold

All that because I told myself I had to go to bed early for a doctors appointment today.

[Valotonin]

Let's not foget that time has universally sped up, it isn't just the fact I am not a child anymore, everyone senses it either consciously or unconsciously. By 1997 standards, TH was released two and a half years ago.

Just felt this thread needed to have a bit more surrealism thrown into it.

[Cupz]

Noted, but let's face the fact that we know more man-hours went into TH than a lot of those combined.

We don't know that, and to be honest I doubt it.

It can't be nice feeling like a piece of music production cattle being milked for your creativity. That alone in a lot of people is enough to create a complete creative block.

Then they're not the superhuman musicians we thought they were. eh? A good chunk of being a professional musician is exactly that.

[Cosmic Manta]

Noted, but let's face the fact that we know more man-hours went into TH than a lot of those combined.
It can't be nice feeling like a piece of music production cattle being milked for your creativity.

This. I imagine TH would have taken a lot longer to happen had they been able to complete it in the timeframe they would have liked.
People work at vastly different paces, and have vastly different standards. Work at this level of quality is no short task. You can't pull this stuff out of thin air.

Remember that BoC are people too. They have other jobs, one of them has a daughter, etc...

[Cosmic Manta]

Then they're not the superhuman musicians we thought they were. eh? A good chunk of being a professional musician is exactly that.

At one point, many of us thought they lived in a bunker. Misconceptions happen.

[Mexicola]

Sorry, I'm confused. Are we saying they're lazy, technically and musically up their own arses or playing games?

[Cosmic Manta]

Sorry, I'm confused. Are we saying they're lazy, technically and musically up their own arses or playing games?

Not sure if you were referring to me, but I meant that perfection on their level takes a very long time in general. Even for incredibly skilled people like BoC. I don't think they're lazy―quite the contrary.