The latest work was a record called "Challenger" with my project Burning Star Core. My friend Steve asked me to do a “4 AM record.” I employed an audio diary-like method of allowing a set period of time and certain personal events unfolding during this period to dictate the compositions. Concrete and literal methods such as field recordings were employed, as well as more subtle methods such as only recording when in a terrible mood, etc. For the latter, the idea was that the sounds would be implanted with particular emotion, while not necessarily manifesting it in any conventional tonal sense. It’s a bit of armchair magic, but for some reason that pops into mind.

What impact would you like for your work to have on the audience?

I would prefer the audience enjoy the music whether they are familiar with where I am coming from or not; visceral, emotional and intellectual responses are all welcome and appreciated; though some would consider it “unconventional” I don’t necessarily see it as ground-breaking, but rather continuing and extending the rich and varied tradition of the musics. And if I have something substantial to add, then that is bonus for me as an individual ego, but I don’t believe in the delusion that one’s participation always has to result in innovation, whatever that is defined as.

What's in your iPod right now?

This mix of 70s/80s psychedelic rock that I made for my girlfriend; includes artists like Jessie Harper, Kissing Spell, Anonymous, Phafner, Cerebrum, Edip Akbayaram, Mellow Candle, Ill Wind, etc. Also, Jason Crumer’s “Ottoman Black” which is pretty great; very dimensional noise record which goes to some nice places while still delivering the crunch and velocity of good noise, and the Nigeria Rock Special comp (I think the third/fourth in a series ?) – 70s rock/funk with a lot of fuzz.