The Music Producer as Artistic Co-creator by Morten Büchert

In my artistic research project, I embarked on an exploration of the continuum between the roles of a music producer as both facilitator and initiator. Through in-depth engagement with real-world scenarios in professional music production, I examined the dynamics and nuances of how these roles negotiate, intersect, and shape the final artistic outcomes. This investigation not only unveils the intricate processes that underpin music creation but also highlights the implications these negotiations have on the resulting works of art. The findings shed light on the subtle artistry embedded in production decisions and offer a fresh perspective on the evolving landscape of music production.

SUBPROJECT #2

I have tried to forge a new musical expression that respects two genres. It’s motivated by my personal and professional connection to these styles and I’ve tried to be as ambitious as I could imagine while still producing music I have experience with. It proved to be very challenging in a good way. In the podcast I talk about the process of conceptualizing this second part of my research but to briefly state some words on that subproject:

Music composition, for me, is an intimate journey of authenticity. Each element in the composition and production should align and provide an authentic experience. A song should hopefully connect the listener with somewhat universal emotions – a feeling of connectedness. Using meditation has helped me create new material that seems new but doesn’t feel like it is an extension of my ego. It feels like mine but doesn’t feel like that at the same time.

I wanted to fuse to distinct styles of music - samba/ bossa nova and country music and I travelled to Rio De Janeiro and to Nashville. In Rio I had the deligth of recording with a fantastic group of musicians. Although there was a clear language barrier they played amazingly and very professional during the recordings. The Nashville sessions felt more familiar as I have been in the city multiple times. Here the structure was more clear and the language fluency aiding my verbal instructions and feedback. They also played extremely well and professional.

Both cities stands on the shoulders of live 'handplayed' music and collaboration – the computer recorded the music and there was no loop or track to play to aside from a click. The lack of a defined artist in sessions led to heightened my reliance on the musicians' intuition and creativity.

When I returned home the next step was to fuse and combine recordings from both cities but obviously that presented huge challenges. There was too much information at the same time.. and with no vocal on the tracks the overall direction was somewhat hard to find. The process transformed into "re-arranging," where blending two recordings necessitated a broader, less detailed perspective for clarity.

After lot of contemplation I actually settled on myself as a singer. Assuming roles beyond production, including composer and artist, reshaped the project. This shift gave me greater artistic freedom but also a deeper emotional connection and a unique perspective on music's societal context. It simplified ethical considerations but demanded internal negotiations between roles. This all-encompassing approach redefines this project for what it means to be a music producer, showcasing the potentials modern music production.

I has resulted in 5 productions that I am proud of sharing:

HER KOMMER DE 5 PRODUKTIONER

Tip

Tip

Morten Büchert - The Music Producer as Artistic Co-creator - 2024