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The Kitchen Sink

© David Reid

Often you hear the phrase "everything but the kitchen sink." Well, there are a group of artists who do in fact play everything including the kitchen sink! Recently, I received a tape from David Barnes and it opened me up to a new world of sounds. Clearly his style falls well beyond the mainstream. It is a bizarre, unique experience to encounter. He mixes guitar with oddities such as saw blades, metal hinges, brass sinks and his own hodge podge of self-designed instruments to form a soundscape.

David Barnes is just one example out of many modern music composers doing his or her own thing. And it is this experimental music that allows an artist to express him or herself freely without attempting to fit any social or musical norm.

In most musical styles, there are very specific patterns and forms that are used to create the sound, but this style allows for what seems like unorganized noise slowly to become an interesting soundscape. Now, this style of music isn't for everyone, including me, but it is truly unique in that any can quite easily give it a try. Dig out your tape recorder, get a couple tin cans, maybe some empty bottles, and don't forget the kitchen sink and give it a whirl. Who knows, maybe it'll start you down a new path to some outrageous new music. I mean nowdays, with "Alternative" falling into the mainstream, this experimental music is not only truly indie but it really is an alternative.

For more information about the world of experimental music explore these web sites: Perforations or Arcana. If you have any sites to add, please feel free to suggest them.

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