Open Reel Ensemble: Blending Analog and Digital for Unique Musical Sounds
Technology is always evolving, with new updates rendering old gadgets obsolete. However, for the Japanese musical trio Open Reel Ensemble, the fusion of analog contraptions and digital combinations creates a truly unique and experimental sound. By utilizing reel-to-reel recorders from the 1970s and 1980s as musical instruments, they have crafted a stage and studio setup that is as captivating as their recordings.
One of their mesmerizing tracks, “Tape Bowing Ensemble,” showcases the trio’s innovative approach to music-making. By attaching bows to the analog tape wound around a reel, they create ethereal tunes by strumming the tape like a guitar, tapping suspended lengths with drumsticks, or spinning reels like DJ turntables. The group employs multi-track recorders to capture these sounds, allowing for seamless separation or layering during their performances.
Describing their instruments and techniques as “magnetic folklore,” Open Reel Ensemble taps into the nostalgia surrounding reel-to-reel technology, also known as magnetic tapes. They have even coined their genre as “Magnetikpunk,” blending the traditional with the contemporary in a unique musical fusion.
The group has gained recognition by performing at Issey Miyake’s fashion shows in Paris and various international festivals. To experience more of their innovative sound, you can check out their YouTube channel and website for a deeper dive into their musical world.
For those interested in exploring more of their work, ensemble member Ei Wada also creates under the moniker Electronicos Fantasticos, showcasing a diverse range of musical experimentation and creativity.
As technology continues to evolve, Open Reel Ensemble stands as a testament to the power of blending old and new, analog and digital, to create something truly original and captivating. Their magnetic folklore instruments transport listeners to a bygone era while pushing the boundaries of modern music.
