BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Moderators: Aesthetics, Drones, Hexagon Sun

Post a reply
User avatar
Echelon
Dayvan Cowboy
Posts: 2151
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2018 3:54 am

BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by Echelon »

First off, this is a mere concept to discuss and a fun one. No hair-brained theory, but it is about a theory.

Recently, I've been getting into the famous outsider band, The Residents, and I read about their Theory of Obscurity which is simply this:
Artists produce their best work with no concession of releasing it, or at least to a minimal audience.
And I was thinking, perhaps when their Twitter liked the thing about "unfound BOC music being out there" that it was related to that.

Do you think there's other Sandison work out there that they perform to get away from the BOC brand name? I could imagine there is another output that helps them escape the burden of constantly having to release masterpieces all the time. Maybe an unknown low-key indie rock band/folk band?
Warning: This numerology post is not to be taken 2 seriously.
User avatar
Sky and Trails
Eagle Minded
Posts: 405
Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:23 pm
Location: https://skylinesabove.bandcamp.com/music

Re: BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by Sky and Trails »

Yes.

Yes!

I totally think there's more work out there from the Sandison clan.

I think about myself, and how the amount of music released by BOC, if it were me, would not accurately represent my total musical activity.
I would HAVE to funnel that into other projects.

I'm still waiting for a new movie to reveal that they did the soundtrack. The whole soundtrack, not just a song from one of their albums (in case anyone decided to point out some examples).

Love you Echelon!
Sirens calling out catastrophe, waves of mourning rippling through hillsides, an exodus for us all
User avatar
Echelon
Dayvan Cowboy
Posts: 2151
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2018 3:54 am

Re: BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by Echelon »

Sky and Trails wrote:Yes.

Yes!

I totally think there's more work out there from the Sandison clan.

I think about myself, and how the amount of music released by BOC, if it were me, would not accurately represent my total musical activity.
I would HAVE to funnel that into other projects.

I'm still waiting for a new movie to reveal that they did the soundtrack. The whole soundtrack, not just a song from one of their albums (in case anyone decided to point out some examples).

Love you Echelon!
Many thanks for this positive post. I agree. It's either ghost producing, secret soundtrack work, or an indie outfit with pseudonyms.

But considering no one here ever found their music, they have truly proven the Theory of Obscurity right and gotten the proper audience for their works :D
Warning: This numerology post is not to be taken 2 seriously.
User avatar
Burning Shadow
Boqurant
Posts: 76
Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2021 11:52 am

Re: BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by Burning Shadow »

Just a hypothetical here

Sometimes if you create music constantly it’s hard to see it objectively. It’s possible to create a large body of work and then to listen to your own music years after you’ve recorded it. When it’s been forgotten you get a new perspective. Tracks you liked at the time sound disappointing, ones you never rated leap out as unique.

Whether it’s been released or not maybe the music has to ferment until it’s ready

Slightly off topic but just something to consider
User avatar
tonx
Eagle Minded
Posts: 336
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 10:37 pm
Location: california
Contact:

Re: BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by tonx »

Just because you still love to cook everyday doesn’t mean you have to open another restaurant.
preparation for a dive.
User avatar
Echelon
Dayvan Cowboy
Posts: 2151
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2018 3:54 am

Re: BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by Echelon »

No I get you guys too. This was a hypothetical in itself based on the BOC Twitter liking a post about hidden music. And what I could assume they meant by that.

I actually think the new product for BOC is fermenting right now and it does take that long since it's probably intended to be a masterpiece
Warning: This numerology post is not to be taken 2 seriously.
benjiboy316
Friendly Stranger
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2016 5:34 pm
Location: Austria
Contact:

Re: BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by benjiboy316 »

I'm not sure if this kind of project could permanently stay under the radar these days. I guess I could see them doing soundtrack work via their companies (afaik there was never a conclusive answer to what they're using those for)
Follow me on SoundCloud!
https://soundcloud.com/benji_musick
User avatar
Echelon
Dayvan Cowboy
Posts: 2151
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2018 3:54 am

Re: BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by Echelon »

benjiboy316 wrote:I'm not sure if this kind of project could permanently stay under the radar these days. I guess I could see them doing soundtrack work via their companies (afaik there was never a conclusive answer to what they're using those for)
Didn't they score some Top Gear episodes? I could honestly imagine it being regular production work and then I guess BOC is for artistic projects/remixes.

They know a lot about advertising logo music so it must be put into advertising haha

And apparently with the Sexual Objects they used the hilarious fake names Chas Dimensional and Sauce Minor so they are no stranger to aliases.

Either way. I guess even with a secret band/project someone would spill the beans eventually. Especially in such a tight knit community like this
Warning: This numerology post is not to be taken 2 seriously.
User avatar
Fredd-E
Drone Operator
Posts: 4662
Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2004 12:39 am
Contact:

Re: BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by Fredd-E »

Echelon wrote: And I was thinking, perhaps when their Twitter liked the thing about "unfound BOC music being out there" that it was related to that.
?
Was it perhaps this one? This one got a @boctransmission like. Not something to disregard, I'd say.

Image

User avatar
Echelon
Dayvan Cowboy
Posts: 2151
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2018 3:54 am

Re: BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by Echelon »

That is precisely the one. Thanks for posting it up, Fredd-E ;)
Warning: This numerology post is not to be taken 2 seriously.
User avatar
Jango9
Sherbet Head
Posts: 732
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2015 2:49 am
Location: Somewhere Else

Re: BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by Jango9 »

Echelon wrote:Either way. I guess even with a secret band/project someone would spill the beans eventually. Especially in such a tight knit community like this
Unless it's just the two of them again but they're playing rock instruments or harps & flutes or something and nobody bats an eye because it doesn't sound like BOC and nobody knows what their singing voices are like anyways lmao :P
If The Campfire Headphase was a butterfly, would Acid Memories be the caterpillar?
Spoiler: show
Unfortunately I have no clue lmao. But while you're here, go ahead and check out some of my tunes! You might dig 'em and stuff!
User avatar
Echelon
Dayvan Cowboy
Posts: 2151
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2018 3:54 am

Re: BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by Echelon »

Jango9 wrote:
Echelon wrote:Either way. I guess even with a secret band/project someone would spill the beans eventually. Especially in such a tight knit community like this
Unless it's just the two of them again but they're playing rock instruments or harps & flutes or something and nobody bats an eye because it doesn't sound like BOC and nobody knows what their singing voices are like anyways lmao :P
Imagine "On the hillside" is them haha
Warning: This numerology post is not to be taken 2 seriously.
User avatar
himeiro_hesukhias
Friendly Stranger
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2020 6:43 pm

Re: BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by himeiro_hesukhias »

Burning Shadow wrote:Sometimes if you create music constantly it’s hard to see it objectively. It’s possible to create a large body of work and then to listen to your own music years after you’ve recorded it. When it’s been forgotten you get a new perspective. Tracks you liked at the time sound disappointing, ones you never rated leap out as unique.

Whether it’s been released or not maybe the music has to ferment until it’s ready
I think this is an inevitable part of the creative process, particularly for those artists who are the most meticulous in their work. Extended periods of silence are the sieve through which artists' knowledge of the world tumbles into place. That's why art takes as long as it needs to take before it's ready. With this in mind, I'm not at all surprised—nor does it bother me—how slowly BoC releases new albums.

Another way I've looked at it is by considering the phenomenon where people stare silently and blankly at nothing, and are veritably thoughtless for a moment, before suddenly coming upon a very important thought. I'm not sure anyone can ever expect when this happens.
ἱμείρω ἡσυχίας
User avatar
Sky and Trails
Eagle Minded
Posts: 405
Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:23 pm
Location: https://skylinesabove.bandcamp.com/music

Re: BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by Sky and Trails »

himeiro_hesukhias wrote:
Burning Shadow wrote:Sometimes if you create music constantly it’s hard to see it objectively. It’s possible to create a large body of work and then to listen to your own music years after you’ve recorded it. When it’s been forgotten you get a new perspective. Tracks you liked at the time sound disappointing, ones you never rated leap out as unique.

Whether it’s been released or not maybe the music has to ferment until it’s ready
I think this is an inevitable part of the creative process, particularly for those artists who are the most meticulous in their work. Extended periods of silence are the sieve through which artists' knowledge of the world tumbles into place. That's why art takes as long as it needs to take before it's ready. With this in mind, I'm not at all surprised—nor does it bother me—how slowly BoC releases new albums.

Another way I've looked at it is by considering the phenomenon where people stare silently and blankly at nothing, and are veritably thoughtless for a moment, before suddenly coming upon a very important thought. I'm not sure anyone can ever expect when this happens.
I don't think even BOC could've stated it better. Excellent observation and it reminds me of an interview I watched with the guy who heads up Warp, some Red Bull music thing. Anyway, he was commenting that it's frustrating having to wait so long but he also understands that the artists have to go through these experiences in order to incorporate it into their art. Like your saying things tumble into place.
Sirens calling out catastrophe, waves of mourning rippling through hillsides, an exodus for us all
User avatar
Quadrivium
Posts Quantity
Posts: 189
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2021 8:04 am
Location: Europa

Re: BOC and the Theory of Obscurity

Post by Quadrivium »

I'm sure there's lots of other work out there. I feel people often forget that BoC is just a project for them, it's not their entire identity or something that their world revolves around.
1986 Summer Fire
Post a reply