15th
Epiphanies (thoughts on the readings)
Kenneth Goldsmith on the book Silence by John Cage…I found it interesting that he said it could be read as a novel, as concrete poetry, or as a musical score. Joan La Barbara, who recorded Cage’s work, said, “it’s initial impact on me was a shock of recognition its calming effect made me feel that I was not alone in the universe.” I also found it neat that when Goldsmith hears radios, he thinks back on a piece he made from radios, and thinks to himself that they’re just playing his piece.” That’s awesome. The Jace Clayton article was less interesting to me. I’m not sure why, maybe because it was all about one song that he called his own. “Eat Shit was a refreshing reminder that you didn’t need money to make music or get it heard.” It just sounds to me like the song that this guy is talking about is some screaming mixed with all sorts of sounds loudly. Not something I would enjoy listening to…as he said, “the casual listener might call this music repellent.” “Noise appreciated as poetry becomes music.”
