Wrekmeister Harmonies: Decay is inevitable

[su_heading size=”20″ margin=”0″]In J.R. Robinson’s composition,  lightness fades into darkness, while innocence succumbs to the evils of modern society. His music reflects not only this worldview but his emotional response to it. Then It All Came Down, his second long-form composition, to be released on October 21, as Wrekmeister Harmonies, is an exploration of that existential deterioration and an attempt at attaining a deeper understanding of its process. Aysegul Dogan and Baris Yarsel from Futuristika! dared to face Jr Robinson’s pastoral doom. Here it goes:[/su_heading]   [Aysegul Dogan/Baris Yarsel – Futuristika!] Can you walk us through your creative background thus
September '14

[su_heading size=”20″ margin=”0″]In J.R. Robinson’s composition,  lightness fades into darkness, while innocence succumbs to the evils of modern society. His music reflects not only this worldview but his emotional response to it. Then It All Came Down, his second long-form composition, to be released on October 21, as Wrekmeister Harmonies, is an exploration of that existential deterioration and an attempt at attaining a deeper understanding of its process. Aysegul Dogan and Baris Yarsel from Futuristika! dared to face Jr Robinson’s pastoral doom. Here it goes:[/su_heading]

 

[Aysegul Dogan/Baris Yarsel – Futuristika!] Can you walk us through your creative background thus far?

[J.R. Robinson – Wrekmeister Harmonies]: I’ve been alive a long, long time. I’ve seen and observed many things.  I try to be continuously aware of whats happening around me. This is what informs my creative process.

It seems, and please do correct us if it is wrong – that you You’ve Always Meant So Much to Me as as the score for a film of the same name. What can you say about the film?

I can say the film is an investigation into our transient existence and the pervasively destructive effect of nature upon mankind and the structures and environment we have created for ourselves. We are insignificant and completely helpless in resisting this cycle. I can say the film is an observation and response to this constant circle done in my version of the structuralist method.

[Interview] Wrekmeister Harmonies: Decay is inevitable 1
J.R. Robinson – Wrekmeister Harmonies

Your new record “Then It All Came Down” will be released in October. “Lightness fades into darkness, while innocence succumbs to the evils of modern society. His music reflects not only this worldview but his emotional response to it” as Thrill Jockey writes about it in the bio. How do you feel in this universe? In your daily life? While making music or while meditating? How do you respond?

I feel like our planet is a very difficult place to exist in. I try to live peacefully, act with calmness and never anger. I observe and respond by creating art that I hope will resonate with others as it does with me.

From Neu! to Neurosis, we sensed an idea behind your work like it centers on perception of decay, melancholy and hatred of a falling age do you share this basic view and/or can you expand on that for us?

[su_pullquote]I do not have hatred for our failings[/su_pullquote]

I do not have hatred for our failings. Sadness, disappointment and unease are what I experience when confronted with the violent and self destructive actions of mankind. Decay is inevitable. I process all this and try to create a response through music, film and other art forms.

We read that you have been quite influenced by (sacred) Black Sabbath. What do you think that the band has still such huge influence as inspiration?

JR: An older relative had me try hard narcotics at a very early age-it was a harrowing and enlightening journey. I recall Black Sabbath was the musical choice for the event.

Then It All Came Down features J.R. Robinson joined by members of Indian, Corrections House, Twilight, Yakuza, Anatomy of Habit, Come, Mind Over Mirrors, Bloodiest, as well as Wrest (Leviathan) and Ryley Walker.

Not possible not to ask, what do you think about Bela Tarr and more important, the author Laszlo Krasznahorkai? Mr. Tarr made his art with long shots while Laszlo Krasznahorkai keep telling us the decadence of humanity.
Bela Tarr is a treasure of cinema. His work defies words or common explanation. I’m doing his work a grave disservice by trying to use language like “monolithic and packed with meaning”. His influence on my work couldn’t be more obvious.

We have read that you have planned to work with Alexander Hacke (Einsturzende Neubauten), can you provide some details, if possible? As he is so familiar to the local Istanbul scene, is there a possibility to see you in Istanbul? Any new concerts scheduled in Europe?

I was fortunate enough to meet Alexander Hacke over a decade ago when he was visiting Chicago. We’ve stayed in contact and toured a bit last year in Europe. Recently he paid another visit to Chicago and we recorded a piece that also has contributions from The Body, Olivia Block and Mark Solotroff of BloodyMinded. The results were better than I could have imagined. I love this titan of a man. ✪

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