Interview in Discovery Channel online

Below is an email interview with me in Discovery Channel online in October 1998. I hope these questions and answers will help you to understand what I think about Mandelbrot music.

(1) How long have you been making music based on fractals?

Since November 1996.

(a) What first gave you the idea to try this?

Mr. Jun Yamamoto’s proposal. Jun is my network friend. One day he said “If any music composed by using Mandelbrot Set, I want to hear it. If not, we must make it”.

(b) Why do you continue?

Because it is very interesting.

(2) How do you use fractals in your music?

To compose. I decide the condition how to compose. After that, a computer does the job. Composition rules are in my web.

(b) Do you use a computer when you compose? Could you describe your process of composing?

Read the answer above.

(c) What software do you use?

My own. You can get it freely in my site. Here is the URL of my site.

(3) For a listener who has never heard fractal music before, what advice could you give to help them appreciate fractal music?

What is interesting to me is random regularity in fractal music. Maybe that is the same for people who love fractal music.

(4) Is there a formula for good music?

To use the edge of the Mandelbrot lake in the center of Mandelbrot graphic. The edge has various fluctuations and regulations.

(6)Do you know of any musicians or music critics who have commented on your music? I am trying to understand how the music community in Japan (or internationally) is reacting to this new field of music.

Being divided both into favorable and unfavorable receptions in the BBS where I join. There is a composer named Moclin who is favorable.

(7) I’d also love any more interesting stories you may have of how your music is being received by your friends, family, and the non-“musical expert” community.

They all say it is strange. So I named my site “Strange Music Archive”. And I said to them, “The person who plays strange music knowing it is strange is not strange. People who play strangely without being aware they play strange music are really strange”.

(8) Do you know of other composers or musicians who use fractals in their work?

I heard an orchestral piece composed by Mandelbrot-Set on the radio about one year ago. I think it is a very good work. Sorry but I can not remember the composer’s name.