SXSWORLD

Bluebrain Brings the Music to Map Your SXSW Landscape by Barbara Mitchell up in my hotel lobby as I was attempting to take a disco nap, even intrusive. And yet, Bluebrain's SXSW- specifi c soundtrack promises to be an exciting new way to tune out and tune in. Brothers Hays and Ryan Holladay, the duo that comprises Bluebrain, are sonic landscape architects, composing soundtracks that literally move with you. Last year, the brothers released the fi rst "location- aware" album, a technological feat that allows users' built-in iPhone GPS capabilities to change the music the listener is hearing based on the individual's chosen path and pace. Starting on their own turf at the National Mall T he amount of music happening during SXSW can be overwhelming, daunting and, like the time I was brought to tears by a band setting Holladays' participation in SXSW to be part of the adventure, although you would probably learn something in the process. You can simply download their app and alter your experience of navigating through the streets of downtown Austin and even the mean corridors and ballrooms of the Austin Convention Center. In fact, as part of their SXSW adventure, Bluebrain will work in conjunction with a familiar collaborator, PostSecret's Frank Warren. Th rough his website, Warren has given millions a forum for sharing their sometimes life-altering secrets. Th e Holladays have previously provided the soundtrack for that experience in a live setting where their ability to work on the spot shines brilliantly. Th is year, they will share their own secrets of how that sort of spontaneous composition works on a SXSW panel with Warren, as well as in a live event. More than anything, they will allow attendees a chance to experience music in an entirely diff erent manner than the typical live performance. While other musicians might use landscapes as the Holladays actually base their work on the landscapes that inspirations, 48 SXSW ORLD / FEBRUAR Y 2012 in New York," explains Ryan. "We sort of started talking about what it would mean to create a piece of music that changed based on where you were, how you moved. And that naturally evolved into talking about composing music that would actually be mapped for a landscape." You don't have to know about the project or even be part of the in their Washington D.C. hometown for their fi rst project before moving to New York City's Central Park for their second, the brothers have made a new and diff erent way for people to interact with their sur- roundings. In March, Bluebrain will create a similar experience for SXSW attendees. Crafting a musical version of "choose your own adventure" books, they allow participants to engage with their surroundings and make their own sonic experiences based on their movements and speed. While that sounds extraordinarily esoteric, it is not entirely. "Th e idea came up during a drive back to D.C. after a performance Bluebrain inspired them. In fact, by listening to their compositions, you might have an epiphany, or at least a diff erent experience of what you're walking through. "By nature of what we are doing, it's very specifi c to the city," Ryan explains. "It's quite literally based on the terrain. But what's interesting for us is that this will be the fi rst urban landscape we've composed to. While Th e National Mall and Central Park (Listen to the Light) were in major cities, the works themselves were in parks. Th is, however, goes through the actual streets! It will be interesting to see how it works (or doesn't) based on the other ambient sounds you're hearing around you." Ryan acknowledges the gap in reactions the project has attracted "Certain people seem to get what we're doing, and others see it as a sort of assault on these beautiful landscapes and a way of distancing people from their natural surroundings. We see it quite diff erently. In the same way that a painter or a photographer might be inspired to create a work taking inspiration from Central Park, say, we are composing music using the contours of the landscape itself. "Regardless, I think there will always be people who don't understand or agree with this idea. But hopefully there will be some people down in Austin who are excited to experience it." So take a second look at your "must-see" list as you wander down 6th Street, and fi gure out how to mesh the industry din into your own, very personal soundtrack. Th anks to Bluebrain, you could be a component of one of the most interesting and revolutionary things you will hear at SXSW this year. ■ by people who feel that it separates people from an experience versus those who feel it enhances it. "It's interesting the reactions we get with this project," he says. BEN CHETTA

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