Aphex Twin Aphex Twin Live, Why?

  On 3/24/2012 at 1:16 AM, o00o said:

did you spot a new aphex twin in recent years? there is none as its not worth it when nobody pays you for it

Oh.

You just didn't see other electronic music acts rise and fall in the same way, but they were just as significant to others.

Its really strange and bizzare that he hasn't put anything out for so long...he doesn't seem like depressed or like he is not making music anymore, I think its just simply he doesn't want to put it out anymore or there could be other reasons:

1. He may have heard or read something that offended him and he thought "fuck it, no more releases then"

2. The music he comes up with today does not beat his previous works or he can't get a new sound (his previous works are varied)

3. Guilt? Maybe he realizes most of us have shitty day jobs and considering how much money he has...he doesnt want to cash in any further.

4. The album he is working on now is literally taking forver.

Maybe he just wants to tour these days and chill out with other musicians and shit.

Who knows.

I hope we see more music soon, its been way too long...atleast fucking release a few tracks on Rephlex page

(he keeps mentioning he has many albums and thousands of unreleased tracks)

Wait. I get it... he wants to prove a point:

THERES NO SUCH THING AS APHEX TWIN LISTENERS

5. Maybe he really loves Boards of Canada and wants to be just like them

  On 3/24/2012 at 4:20 AM, oscillik said:

5. Maybe he really loves Boards of Canada and wants to be just like them

rofl hehehehe :cerious:

I would actually feel guilty for resting on my laurels for so long. The years tick by and there's nothing to show for it, really. I don't buy the whole "I only make music for myself" thing because we wouldn't even know who he was if that was truly the case. Is his latest music is too "personal" to him? It's not like there's some seriously confessional lyrics. The trials and tribulations of being the Braindance Lebowski.

People forget that some of the greatest musicians were incredibly prolific and consistent despite being plagued by health problems, drugs, personal tragedies. Most of the fantastic artists we listen to today have day jobs and *gasp* LIVES and they still have a highly active musical imagination and are really impressive. It makes BoC and Aphex look sad. Like a former pro athlete becoming obese.

  On 3/24/2012 at 5:46 AM, Candiru said:

I would actually feel guilty for resting on my laurels for so long. The years tick by and there's nothing to show for it, really. I don't buy the whole "I only make music for myself" thing because we wouldn't even know who he was if that was truly the case. Is his latest music is too "personal" to him? It's not like there's some seriously confessional lyrics. The trials and tribulations of being the Braindance Lebowski.

 

People forget that some of the greatest musicians were incredibly prolific and consistent despite being plagued by health problems, drugs, personal tragedies. Most of the fantastic artists we listen to today have day jobs and *gasp* LIVES and they still have a highly active musical imagination and are really impressive. It makes BoC and Aphex look sad. Like a former pro athlete becoming obese.

no.

We are judging these artists on a basis of 1-10 years and quite simply art takes much longer to form.

If it takes Aphex Twin 20 years to produce another work of art, so be it, that's art. By your logic Tiesto is the best artist because he consistently puts out artists, gets super high blah blah blah.

  On 3/24/2012 at 5:52 AM, StephenG said:

  On 3/24/2012 at 5:46 AM, Candiru said:

I would actually feel guilty for resting on my laurels for so long. The years tick by and there's nothing to show for it, really. I don't buy the whole "I only make music for myself" thing because we wouldn't even know who he was if that was truly the case. Is his latest music is too "personal" to him? It's not like there's some seriously confessional lyrics. The trials and tribulations of being the Braindance Lebowski.

 

People forget that some of the greatest musicians were incredibly prolific and consistent despite being plagued by health problems, drugs, personal tragedies. Most of the fantastic artists we listen to today have day jobs and *gasp* LIVES and they still have a highly active musical imagination and are really impressive. It makes BoC and Aphex look sad. Like a former pro athlete becoming obese.

....

 

 

no.

 

We are judging these artists on a basis of 1-10 years and quite simply art takes much longer to form.

 

If it takes Aphex Twin 20 years to produce another work of art, so be it, that's art. By your logic Tiesto is the best artist because he consistently puts out artists, gets super high blah blah blah.

as a polar opposite, autechre have had 8 releases since then, and it's still art.

  On 3/24/2012 at 5:52 AM, StephenG said:

  On 3/24/2012 at 5:46 AM, Candiru said:

I would actually feel guilty for resting on my laurels for so long. The years tick by and there's nothing to show for it, really. I don't buy the whole "I only make music for myself" thing because we wouldn't even know who he was if that was truly the case. Is his latest music is too "personal" to him? It's not like there's some seriously confessional lyrics. The trials and tribulations of being the Braindance Lebowski.

 

People forget that some of the greatest musicians were incredibly prolific and consistent despite being plagued by health problems, drugs, personal tragedies. Most of the fantastic artists we listen to today have day jobs and *gasp* LIVES and they still have a highly active musical imagination and are really impressive. It makes BoC and Aphex look sad. Like a former pro athlete becoming obese.

....

 

 

no.

 

We are judging these artists on a basis of 1-10 years and quite simply art takes much longer to form.

 

If it takes Aphex Twin 20 years to produce another work of art, so be it, that's art. By your logic Tiesto is the best artist because he consistently puts out artists, gets super high blah blah blah.

It's not the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, it's around 50 minutes of music that's already been gestating for five+ years.

hi watmm been lurking for good while now, just want to give my 2c and/or complain like all the cool kids.

There's no real point to threads like this other than speculation and having a bit of fun. It's not like Dr. Rames Dajiv is a petty forum-dweller who takes everyone so seriously and count the number of insults in order to determine how long he's going to delay a release. Perhaps we could just accept that he probably has his reasons, or there are circumstances, or the label takes priority, or whatever. Or there's no real reason other than doing some of the stuff us less-extraordinary folk take for granted or something, and obviously having a blast performing. I'm just remarking how pointless and needy and bordering on the ridiculous some of these posts are. I can't wait for new RDJ much as the next person but listening to some of you it's like you feel you're being personally slighted. Who knows he might be playing another trick on us and there are all these trax out there somewhere, lool (it's not funny but lolol) which gives a nice boost to up and coming musicians whether you like it or not. That we have such stellar expectations is a credit to Mr. Dames' work obviously, but it can't be that fun for him all the time. Lighten up listen to some tracks do a little trolling, it'll be alright, besides;

  Quote

“I’ve got six completed. Two are very non-commercial, abstract, modular-synthesis, field recordings – those I finished four years ago. Another one is Melodies From Mars, which I redid about three years ago. There’s one of stuff I won’t go into; a comp of old tracks which is never really finished and always changing; and then one I’m working on now. There are also loads of tracks which don’t belong anywhere.”

And the album on Warp that's coming, too. It's finished when it's finished. I'm also very curious about these tracks that don't fit on albums, new EP/LPs, who knows?

£25k+ for playing your favorite tunes for 2hrs and boosting your ego is pretty good reason in my book.

  On 3/24/2012 at 12:15 PM, butWHY said:

hi watmm been lurking for good while now, just want to give my 2c and/or complain like all the cool kids.

 

There's no real point to threads like this other than speculation and having a bit of fun. It's not like Dr. Rames Dajiv is a petty forum-dweller who takes everyone so seriously and count the number of insults in order to determine how long he's going to delay a release. Perhaps we could just accept that he probably has his reasons, or there are circumstances, or the label takes priority, or whatever. Or there's no real reason other than doing some of the stuff us less-extraordinary folk take for granted or something, and obviously having a blast performing. I'm just remarking how pointless and needy and bordering on the ridiculous some of these posts are. I can't wait for new RDJ much as the next person but listening to some of you it's like you feel you're being personally slighted. Who knows he might be playing another trick on us and there are all these trax out there somewhere, lool (it's not funny but lolol) which gives a nice boost to up and coming musicians whether you like it or not. That we have such stellar expectations is a credit to Mr. Dames' work obviously, but it can't be that fun for him all the time. Lighten up listen to some tracks do a little trolling, it'll be alright, besides;

  Quote

“I’ve got six completed. Two are very non-commercial, abstract, modular-synthesis, field recordings – those I finished four years ago. Another one is Melodies From Mars, which I redid about three years ago. There’s one of stuff I won’t go into; a comp of old tracks which is never really finished and always changing; and then one I’m working on now. There are also loads of tracks which don’t belong anywhere.”

And the album on Warp that's coming, too. It's finished when it's finished. I'm also very curious about these tracks that don't fit on albums, new EP/LPs, who knows?

  On 3/24/2012 at 4:13 AM, TNT said:

Its really strange and bizzare that he hasn't put anything out for so long...he doesn't seem like depressed or like he is not making music anymore, I think its just simply he doesn't want to put it out anymore or there could be other reasons:

 

1. He may have heard or read something that offended him and he thought "fuck it, no more releases then"

2. The music he comes up with today does not beat his previous works or he can't get a new sound (his previous works are varied)

3. Guilt? Maybe he realizes most of us have shitty day jobs and considering how much money he has...he doesnt want to cash in any further.

4. The album he is working on now is literally taking forver.

 

Maybe he just wants to tour these days and chill out with other musicians and shit.

 

Who knows.

 

I hope we see more music soon, its been way too long...atleast fucking release a few tracks on Rephlex page

(he keeps mentioning he has many albums and thousands of unreleased tracks)

 

Wait. I get it... he wants to prove a point:

 

THERES NO SUCH THING AS APHEX TWIN LISTENERS

he said its because he does not want his wife to get the money so he waits until the divorce is over

  On 3/24/2012 at 6:03 AM, Candiru said:

  On 3/24/2012 at 5:52 AM, StephenG said:

  On 3/24/2012 at 5:46 AM, Candiru said:

I would actually feel guilty for resting on my laurels for so long. The years tick by and there's nothing to show for it, really. I don't buy the whole "I only make music for myself" thing because we wouldn't even know who he was if that was truly the case. Is his latest music is too "personal" to him? It's not like there's some seriously confessional lyrics. The trials and tribulations of being the Braindance Lebowski.

 

People forget that some of the greatest musicians were incredibly prolific and consistent despite being plagued by health problems, drugs, personal tragedies. Most of the fantastic artists we listen to today have day jobs and *gasp* LIVES and they still have a highly active musical imagination and are really impressive. It makes BoC and Aphex look sad. Like a former pro athlete becoming obese.

....

 

 

no.

 

We are judging these artists on a basis of 1-10 years and quite simply art takes much longer to form.

 

If it takes Aphex Twin 20 years to produce another work of art, so be it, that's art. By your logic Tiesto is the best artist because he consistently puts out artists, gets super high blah blah blah.

 

It's not the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, it's around 50 minutes of music that's already been gestating for five+ years.

My point is he's an artist and he will release it whenever the fuck he wants. It's not uncommon for people to take a hiatus from their form, regardless of what their art is. Stupid to speculate that he's into drugs, or he has no new ideas, etc. It's all irrelevant.

spark up a joint and enjoy what he's given us. Not to mention his touring has been amazing and chock full of unreleased material, Aphex and otherwise. (squarepusher rome track?!)

  On 3/24/2012 at 12:50 PM, o00o said:

  On 3/24/2012 at 12:15 PM, butWHY said:

hi watmm been lurking for good while now, just want to give my 2c and/or complain like all the cool kids.

 

There's no real point to threads like this other than speculation and having a bit of fun. It's not like Dr. Rames Dajiv is a petty forum-dweller who takes everyone so seriously and count the number of insults in order to determine how long he's going to delay a release. Perhaps we could just accept that he probably has his reasons, or there are circumstances, or the label takes priority, or whatever. Or there's no real reason other than doing some of the stuff us less-extraordinary folk take for granted or something, and obviously having a blast performing. I'm just remarking how pointless and needy and bordering on the ridiculous some of these posts are. I can't wait for new RDJ much as the next person but listening to some of you it's like you feel you're being personally slighted. Who knows he might be playing another trick on us and there are all these trax out there somewhere, lool (it's not funny but lolol) which gives a nice boost to up and coming musicians whether you like it or not. That we have such stellar expectations is a credit to Mr. Dames' work obviously, but it can't be that fun for him all the time. Lighten up listen to some tracks do a little trolling, it'll be alright, besides;

  Quote

“I’ve got six completed. Two are very non-commercial, abstract, modular-synthesis, field recordings – those I finished four years ago. Another one is Melodies From Mars, which I redid about three years ago. There’s one of stuff I won’t go into; a comp of old tracks which is never really finished and always changing; and then one I’m working on now. There are also loads of tracks which don’t belong anywhere.”

And the album on Warp that's coming, too. It's finished when it's finished. I'm also very curious about these tracks that don't fit on albums, new EP/LPs, who knows?

 

  On 3/24/2012 at 4:13 AM, TNT said:

Its really strange and bizzare that he hasn't put anything out for so long...he doesn't seem like depressed or like he is not making music anymore, I think its just simply he doesn't want to put it out anymore or there could be other reasons:

 

1. He may have heard or read something that offended him and he thought "fuck it, no more releases then"

2. The music he comes up with today does not beat his previous works or he can't get a new sound (his previous works are varied)

3. Guilt? Maybe he realizes most of us have shitty day jobs and considering how much money he has...he doesnt want to cash in any further.

4. The album he is working on now is literally taking forver.

 

Maybe he just wants to tour these days and chill out with other musicians and shit.

 

Who knows.

 

I hope we see more music soon, its been way too long...atleast fucking release a few tracks on Rephlex page

(he keeps mentioning he has many albums and thousands of unreleased tracks)

 

Wait. I get it... he wants to prove a point:

 

THERES NO SUCH THING AS APHEX TWIN LISTENERS

 

he said its because he does not want his wife to get the money so he waits until the divorce is over

 

 

That is actually a very likely reason. Same reason Paradinas hasn't released anything recently, and I believe that's also a portion of the reason Timesig came into existence. V-snares is planetmus biggest seller. Because v-snares has an exclusivity contract with planet mu, and Paradinas recieves royalties from his releases, and his wife is entitled to some of the royalties until the divorce is over, creating a subsidiary label allows v snares to circumvent the exclusivity clause and ta-da his money doesn't go to Paradinas ex. Instead it's a new contract created after the divorce started and the money goes to Mike and Aaron instead.

It is likely a similar methodology for "The Tuss".

Releasing records doesn't pay the bills anymore, seems that he realized that and is trying to bank in with the live sets while there's still an interest in him.

the moment record sales hit the shitter he ceased to release stuff. i think he's simply may not be interested in putting stuff out anymore, as it's not going to generate profit, rather a hassle to give it proper packaging and all that. he had his little experiment with analord and tuss and i guess it didn't work out or something. dunno. not sure about the divorce as in some other interview he acted like the story was bullshit he made up.

I don't know what makes you guys think record sales aren't paying off anymore. That is absolutely ludicrous.

Even selling 50000 copies of an album is a massive amount of money in his pocket. But albums like drukqs and RDJ album have had well over 250k copies sold?

Even if he made 5$ per copy that is still an incredible amount of money.

Edit: people still think Aphex Twin is indie music, it's not. He is quite popular. Wasn't there 550000 of Analards in total? (the whole series, EP 1-11).

If you do the math, selling 550k vinyl is worth a shit-ton of money.

Even Richard says selling albums makes him a lot of money. 26 Mixes for cash, right?

even if it's true (i think it was more 55k if not less, but OK) - he's buying a gx-1 and it's all gone. it's not like he's waiting for tr606 to pop up on ebay for 300 bucks with a typo in the auction name so he can get it cheap without a bidding war. he's spending some serious cash that i'm pretty sure wouldn't be possible to make with records alone. noone would tour if it was that easy, come on.

  On 3/23/2012 at 12:26 PM, cern said:

Okey, this has already been discussed but I can't stop thinking about it sometimes and it bothers me

 

Why have Aphex Twin touring around the world this last years without any new release?

 

Someone said: "he wants to promote himself before he release something new". But how long would that promotion be? 20 years?

 

1. The Money? - Yeah right so he need money so bad to buy a new synth, He have/could have all the synthesizers in the world!! And he does not live luxury life.

 

2. The rush! - Yeah after 20 years of touring, still a rush?

 

3. Famousy? - the guy would not even be photographed!

This is the best post I've ever read. Congratulations.

  On 3/24/2012 at 4:26 PM, kinski said:

even if it's true (i think it was more 55k if not less, but OK) - he's buying a gx-1 and it's all gone. it's not like he's waiting for tr606 to pop up on ebay for 300 bucks with a typo in the auction name so he can get it cheap without a bidding war. he's spending some serious cash that i'm pretty sure wouldn't be possible to make with records alone. noone would tour if it was that easy, come on.

He's owned the gx-1 for almost 10 years I think. He doesn't need to buy another one (not to mention theres only 7 or 8 in existence, I don't think he's buynig one?).

Ah I think each analord had 50000 copies? Can someone confirm?

Anyways, I'm not saying he's not getting paid for his touring. The speculation from people is that he's not releasing music because it's not making him any money, which in itself is ridicky-less. From releasing any one of his albums of unreleased material he would make well into the millions of dollars. If he released one a year he would be better off than touring.

  On 3/24/2012 at 4:29 PM, Squee said:

  On 3/23/2012 at 12:26 PM, cern said:

Okey, this has already been discussed but I can't stop thinking about it sometimes and it bothers me

 

Why have Aphex Twin touring around the world this last years without any new release?

 

Someone said: "he wants to promote himself before he release something new". But how long would that promotion be? 20 years?

 

1. The Money? - Yeah right so he need money so bad to buy a new synth, He have/could have all the synthesizers in the world!! And he does not live luxury life.

 

2. The rush! - Yeah after 20 years of touring, still a rush?

 

3. Famousy? - the guy would not even be photographed!

 

This is the best post I've ever read. Congratulations.

lol @ "Famousy"

Just found RDJ's thoughts on making money from music in an old interview, circa 2006.

"- I've always thought the music should be free and shouldn't have copyright at all, especially art. Grant, my partner at Rephlex, thinks in a completely different manner. But what I think is that if you want to give money to an artist, great, I am sure they'd be happier, but if you don't want to give

them money and to listen to their music free, as well that's fine, because the fact that you listen to their music already makes them happy. The copyright is more about making money for businesses than protecting the artist. En any case, the artists make better music when they're poor..."

So it probably has nothing to do with money.

On top of all the big reasons that y'all smarties have stated. Let's be honest, touring around Europe is probably fucking cake for him, FOR SO MANY REASONS. It can't be extremely physically, creatively or emotionally draining like touring around broke as a joke in a small van with 6 other dudes all time, having to load most of your own gear, terrorize your vocal chords every night and then talk to a bunch of people trying desperately to sell a few more CDs and tee shirts, hating your band mates, hating your new roadie your bass player thought would be a good idea, pissed to the tits that you gotta record another album with these twats because you're on contract with a shitty major label and your in debt thousands of dollars every which way etc. etc. etc. etc.

  On 3/24/2012 at 5:24 PM, Blanket Fort Collapse said:

On top of all the big reasons that y'all smarties have stated. Let's be honest, touring around Europe is probably fucking cake for him, FOR SO MANY REASONS. It can't be extremely physically, creatively or emotionally draining like touring around broke as a joke in a small van with 6 other dudes all time, having to load most of your own gear, terrorize your vocal chords every night and then talk to a bunch of people trying desperately to sell a few more CDs and tee shirts, hating your band mates, hating your new roadie your bass player thought would be a good idea, pissed to the tits that you gotta record another album with these twats because you're on contract with a shitty major label and your in debt thousands of dollars every which way etc. etc. etc. etc.

yeah! lol.

It must be really fucken fun to play awesome tunes, get drunk and smoke dope on stage, probably stay in nice hotels etc etc. If I had the opportunity I would do it, of course =/

cake!

He doesn't give a fuck about making money off of albums because he has already made a shit load of money. He does tours to support his projects, he probably drops a lot of money directly from touring into Rephlex and other projects of his, some most probably don't know about.