Inferno - Written & Produced by Mike Sandison

[skunkman]

obviously i have no insight on their relationship, but i would assume this wasn't a spite thing, and Marcus retracted some of his credit because he felt he wasn't as involved as he used to be, or he didn't bring much to the table with these tracks. he may have thought Mike did a lot of the heavy lifting, so he should finally get the sole credit he deserves.

a lot of the songs he's credited on are the more "live" sounding tracks, so maybe he mostly functioned as a performer/studio musician? we really don't know who did what on TH. it's possible he was barely involved in that album as well, but at that time they hadn't given the credits thing much thought and split it 50/50. something like that could weigh on you over time, especially if you felt you didn't deserve it

[ParticleGhost]

a lot of the songs he's credited on are the more "live" sounding tracks, so maybe he mostly functioned as a performer/studio musician?

I was thinking something similar as well. Maybe throughout the years life situations have changed enough to where there's less time to contribute as much as before. It happens.

[747Music]

I think I will stick to my suspicion that Mike really had a personal vision with this album and Marcus was happy to have a big part in making his vision a reality.

[skunkman]

a lot of the songs he's credited on are the more "live" sounding tracks, so maybe he mostly functioned as a performer/studio musician?

I was thinking something similar as well. Maybe throughout the years life situations have changed enough to where there's less time to contribute as much as before. It happens.

a lot of things can change in 13 years. there are a lot of potential reasons for the credits being this way, but i dont see any evidence to suggest a falling out or animosity. i dont understand why people would jump to that immediately. i even saw a reddit thread suggesting that Marcus may have died. like come on people, let's get a damn grip lol. he's still credited on the album playing a few instruments and handling some of the samples / tape decay stuff. im pretty sure you would just do those things yourself if you weren't on speaking terms with your brother. "hey i know you hate me but i need you to process this 70s embryo educational video and learn how to play sitar. thanks"

[Altruizine]

If I had to guess, Marcus has been busy with a day job. Mike may have stayed a full-time musician instead. If excluding Marcus altogether from writing credits even if he did contribute some minor writing means that Mike gets more money, there you go. The man needs it whereas Marcus has been paid a regular salary

Is this wrong to think about? I don’t know, maybe. But maybe it’s a better conclusion to make than them hating each other. I’d expect them to have a pretty enduring bond.

[Helios]

I’m thinking since all prior splits were 50/50, and this is 90/10 or 100 Mike, and lack of any interviews, this sadly might mean they’re hanging it up as a group. It’s entirely possible Marcus has moved on, but Warp needed the BoC release and having a Mike solo album wouldn’t have the same reach. So Marcus (happily) helped out here and there.

I’d say it means absolutely nothing, but the lack of ANY interviews is the only thing that makes one wonder.

Regardless, incredible record, and thanks again to all involved.

[Helios]

I’m thinking since all prior splits were 50/50, and this is 90/10 or 100 Mike, and lack of any interviews, this sadly might mean they’re hanging it up as a group. It’s entirely possible Marcus has moved on, but Warp needed the BoC release and having a Mike solo album wouldn’t have the same reach. So Marcus (happily) helped out here and there.

I’d say it means absolutely nothing, but the lack of ANY interviews is the only thing that makes one wonder.

Regardless, incredible record, and thanks again to all involved.

Edit: After what Spirit Fingers said in the main thread regarding them saying the same thing last time about no interviews, I’m reversing course and saying it means absolutely nothing

[dj_todos]

It would seem to point to the fact that Marcus has all but signed out, IMO. I also get the feeling from the record that "you retreat in time and space" gives us that most recognisable, style of BoC of old, which is then followed by the final track that has a kick drum resembling a heartbeat which eventually, abruptly ends. It's almost like they're saying that's it..... We're done. That's the last of the 5 album deal.

I hope not, but they've given us one hell of a past 30 years.

[mechanismj]

I think I will stick to my suspicion that Mike really had a personal vision with this album and Marcus was happy to have a big part in making his vision a reality.

That's what I feel most, too.

Though, having been so long I am sure there are aspects of their lives / involvement in music that has changed.

But we will probably never know! They are gonna leave us hanging this time!

[Waterbagel]

a lot of the songs he's credited on are the more "live" sounding tracks, so maybe he mostly functioned as a performer/studio musician?

I was thinking something similar as well. Maybe throughout the years life situations have changed enough to where there's less time to contribute as much as before. It happens.

a lot of things can change in 13 years. there are a lot of potential reasons for the credits being this way, but i dont see any evidence to suggest a falling out or animosity. i dont understand why people would jump to that immediately. i even saw a reddit thread suggesting that Marcus may have died. like come on people, let's get a damn grip lol. he's still credited on the album playing a few instruments and handling some of the samples / tape decay stuff. im pretty sure you would just do those things yourself if you weren't on speaking terms with your brother. "hey i know you hate me but i need you to process this 70s embryo educational video and learn how to play sitar. thanks"

this is it, to me - this is a boards of canada release, and we know who that is. and credits can often suggest things that aren't true, if you're trying to find a pattern

occam's razor. often doesn't apply to their puzzles that they've given us over the years! but for their actual lives, i would guess probably not

[Seat of Consciousness]

If I had to guess, Marcus has been busy with a day job. Mike may have stayed a full-time musician instead. If excluding Marcus altogether from writing credits even if he did contribute some minor writing means that Mike gets more money, there you go. The man needs it whereas Marcus has been paid a regular salary

Is this wrong to think about? I don’t know, maybe. But maybe it’s a better conclusion to make than them hating each other. I’d expect them to have a pretty enduring bond.

I like this theory. We have to remember they are brothers as well who have a relationship beyond music and could be changing the business side of their relationship to better serve family interests. The brothers mutually recognize that Mike has been the primary member of the band and then shift the crediting and payouts to reflect that before any animosity arises. Marcus is still a contributing member of the band, but Mike is sitting in the director's chair now designing the records around his vision.

At least, that's at least what I choose to be true because I don't think I could live through the news that this is their farewell album D:

[sowhereareyouliving?]

This is so interesting, because while I liked it, I felt like there was something missing the whole way through. Now I know what it is. Can’t wait for the interviews to come out!

Same! The whole thing feels like a beat-tape - some stellar ideas and production - but the tracks achieve 80% and then dont really go anywhere. Definitely missing the sparkle / surprise / narrative of other albums

Whatever it is, I definitely spoke too soon and retract my 80% bit This album is a beast with depths beyond depths - massive grower. Just needs time, good headphones cranked loud, and a clear schedule

[Altruizine]

At least, that's at least what I choose to be true because I don't think I could live through the news that this is their farewell album D:

To be honest the only reason I'd consider that possibility is because they came up with the concept of "farewell fire"

I really wonder what their actual farewell album would be like. Off the top of my head I can only think of David Bowie as a creator of an obvious farewell album. It was pretty morbid but he was also dying of cancer, so... I'd expect BoC to make some tender bittersweet ambient, like Farewell Fire: The Album (the actual track not the concept of fire) but maybe that's too obvious.

[PlatrixECV]

I think a plausible explanation on the 100 or 90% written thing is that Mike took the laboring oar on making this album for whatever reason, and put together everything and sent to Marcus. Marcus basically said "no notes; this is brilliant" and perhaps just had input suggestions on the 5-6 he has credits on. It's probably like Autechre where even back in the day many were solo tracks of one or the other.

They're both I'm sure set for life with royalties, and neither seem the greedy type (no outtakes re-releases of the rare early stuff- they could make $$$ of it). It's perfectly reasonable that Marcus has moved on more than Mike and this is mostly a passion project. Just thankful it's been made.

[losador]

I kind of regret starting this thread. I was just interested if they had ever formally credited anything in their discography to one or the other before, purely from a musical standpoint. There's a lot of wild speculation on here, and stuff about their personal lives which is none of our business.

[Widmerpool]

There's a lot of wild speculation on here, and stuff about their personal lives which is none of our business.

Mate, wild speculation (when not outright nutty and cultish) used to be a defining feature of Boards of Canada fandom. Why not allow us on occasion some juicy tidbits of myth-making and gossip? It's plain human nature. So long as nobody gets hurt.

[noveltywave]

Does anyone know if there is a technical reason why, instead of splitting 50/50, they might do better financially if one of them takes the full 100 and they divvy it up privately? Does doing it this way insure Mike’s family has one single income stream for the rest if their days?

I guess the simple explanation is the most obvious: Mike wrote the songs, played most of the instruments on this on, so he gets the correct credit. Nothing more to say.

It’s so curious though isn’t it? Your mind can’t help but speculate!

[shelf]

IMO Mike has always been the primary writer, Marcus writes too but mostly works on the producing side. I have the thought that maybe this is a move maybe get into more professional work outside of boards of canada, like movie soundtracking gigs etc.

It's clear they have the ability to do great soundtracks.

[mc10101]

I find it curious that they've actually changed the credits publicly now. They must know this is going to come up in any interviews they choose to do (unless it's made clear it's off the table prior).
None of my business at all, but I've always suspected they have a private income. They once said they don't do any work outside of Boards of Canada, and I don't believe the royalties for their output over the last 30 years could sustain two families for this long

[shinealight]

I find it curious that they've actually changed the credits publicly now. They must know this is going to come up in any interviews they choose to do (unless it's made clear it's off the table prior).
None of my business at all, but I've always suspected they have a private income. They once said they don't do any work outside of Boards of Canada, and I don't believe the royalties for their output over the last 30 years could sustain two families for this long

I'm not sure we'll be getting interviews at this point. 3 days after the album is out I would have thought one would have released or been trailed by now.