Intuitive Music

Automated Acoustics is the project of British multi-instrumentalist Lawrence Gill, who plays an array of instruments including cello, drums, mbira, autoharp, steelpan, violin, guitar, double bass, synth, electronics, piano, organ, vocals, Singapore whistle and percussion.

Automated Acoustics‘ sound is the result of the character of Lawrence’s collection of old instruments. When I discovered his music at Myspace, I recommended it as “A REAL discovery to my ears”. His avant-garde and experimental sound has a curious mixtures of influences from early acoustic jazz and blues to modern electronica. A sort of Dadaist one-man-band with a expresionist ambiences and hard-edged string harmonies.

Automated Acoustics -aka Lawrence Gill- talked to Intuitive Music about his influences and music recommendations.

- My last discovery album:

Hmmm, tough one…. most recently MF Doom’s “36 Chambers of Doom”. His raps are always so well worded and understated and his voice sounds like he chain smokes hydro chronic every second he’s awake. Great stuff, highly recommended!

- The song I always wanted to cover:

“Goodnight ladies” by Lou Reed (from the “Transformer” album). I love the brass in it and his laconic, melancholly vocal. I’d re-do it in a shuffly electro-acoustic stylee and drink a lot of whisky before recording the vox!

- The song that always makes me cry:

“I don’t mind this feeling” by the Jive Inspector. He was my best mate for 11 years, he wrote and recorded the track while living as a monk in a Thai monastery and sadly died in May this year. It’s coming out on vinyl, on Alternative Blueprint records in January. He’s the man. May his music live on, it’s amazing - check it!

- The artist (alive) I’d like to work with:

Aphex Twin. He’s such an innovator in electronica and I’d love to lay down some wierd acoustic instruments with him.

- The concert I always wanted to attend:

Nine Inch Nails on the Downward Spiral tour. Not into them so much now, as the lyrics are so depressing (but the music’s amazing as ever). I wish he’d release instrumental versions!! At the time that was where I was at though.

- The most underrated band/artist

Again, tough one… I think Ovuca (on Rephlex) has done some great stuff - really organic, fun music, but I’ve not heard of him for ages. Also Twilight Circus for the dub style - amazing modern dub, just done really, really well.

- The weirdest music I’ve ever heard:

Well there’s good wierd and bad weird, so I’ll do both: Bad wierd - Non / Boyd Rice. I heard this while on mushrooms many years ago and it totally freaked me out. It’s dark, off time repetitive loops and he is not a very nice chap by all accounts -satanism/nazi shit. Twat in other words. Not recommended at all!!! Good weird - Anti Pop Consortium, three of the sickest rappers ever and never afraid to buck the hip hop trends. Nuff said, check ‘em.

- The underground music in 2010:
Hopefully Automated Acoustics I think generally the electronica/acoustic hybrids are gelling nicely. I’m liking the dubstep scene at the moment but think it’s got a very limited shelf life to be honest. Hopefully boring, standard indie will be long gone.

- My MysPace band/artist recommendation:
Optika Techniqua. He’s a mate of mine and his “Pure SeXXX” track is NOT samples from a porn film, it is actually him having sex with his ladyfriend, over some savage beats and bass! Quality.

- My YouTube music video recommendation:
“The History of the Amen Break”, original junglist bwoy!