This instalment of The Maker brings us into conversation with Jim Wylde. The Montreal-based explores the realms of ambient, drone, and abstract sound under his own name as well sp3cters; the latter residing within the darker depths of ambient music, approaching minimalism and isolationism. Combining light with dark, Jim has an album coming out on RTR tomorrow (27/05/19): Jim Wylde/sp3ct3rs – ‘All That You Wanted’ (RTR017). Jim also produces regular pedal demos via sp3ct3rs_d3mos via Instagram.
In This feature, Jim talks about early collaborative projects, finding inspiration in new creative tools, and the importance of tangible music formats.
How did you first get introduced to ambient/drone/experimental music?
In the early 2000s I tried to make a song using Fruity Loops and a bunch of samples… I managed to compete it but nothing more happened after that. A while later I made a new friend online though my photography. He told me he made electronic music and during our talk I mentioned I had made this one track. He listened to it and asked if I wanted to make something with him. This resulted in Mithræum – ‘EP’ (2012). After this endeavour I realized I wanted to be more hands on with the creation process so struck out on my own as sp3ct3rs.
What inspires you to create a new body of work?
I have been fortunate enough to be able to set up a small music room in my house. Having things laid out and easily accessible is the main thing for me. Secondarily is something that enables me to make a new sound, whether it’s an app, synth, guitar or fx box. Even a new combination of things will trigger a need to create. Finally it is a healing thing creating music, so to a certain degree it is that, me working something out through music.
How do you approach working on a new release?
Over the past few years it has been very different. Before it was a constant flow of unedited sound… at some point, maybe around the first release as Jim Wylde – ‘Songs For The Brokenhearted From The Departed’ (2016) – more structure and planning came to the forefront. I usually start with a certain chain of pedals and a sound source and play around until I find something I like. Then it’s a series of arranging instruments and fx and many nights of playing before I find the next track… An album I am currently working on started from one track years ago and I still haven’t competed the thing.
Can you tell us about your favourite new release from the last 12 months?
It would have to be Puce Mary – ‘The Drought’. Just 44:13 of amazing superbly crafted sound. I managed to see her live awhile back and it was damn inspiring as an artist.
As RTR is a tape label, we have to ask: What attracts you to the cassette medium?
I like the idea of a physical representation of my music being out there in the world. Somehow it makes it more real. To know somewhere someone is opening a cassette of my music and getting ready to listen. It’s a ritual of sorts, at that stage and one I get to be a part of.
Links:
Bandcamp (Jim Wylde)
Bandcamp (sp3ct3rs)
Instagram
Jim Wylde/sp3ct3rs – ‘All That You Wanted’ (RTR017) comes out on Rusted Tone Recordings tomorrow on cassette and digital download. Limited to 40 tapes worldwide.
Rusted Tone Recordings 