BRENT JACKO

Synergy between music and different contemporary disciplines is ever present, even when these different disciplines are not directly incorporated within the work itself. Music is an emotional message. It’s a form of expression. However, there are multiple mediums to express this message through. I’ve always been intrigued by the common aesthetic thread that can be found within outlets.

For example, the term ‘textures’ is used within sound, photography, and design. All these disciplines have their own definition of the word - stimulating different human senses. Nevertheless, the feeling that is evoked by a texture in music can also be translated to the texture we see in design or photography. It enables you to convey your message in multiple ways. It feels like becoming multilingual within your creative expression.

Going further down the road, one has to recognize that all artists from different disciplines are ‘makers’. They create from a certain societal, cultural, or philosophical background. They all have a vision or belief that leads to their output. These might be shared, but could also totally differ. Think about the value of sharing perspectives amongst these makers. I’ve learned a lot about the approach to composition by discussing the act both with a music producer and photographer, for instance.
Talking about this topic always reminds me of the album ‘Seeing Through Sound’ by Jon Hassell. He has been fundamental for what we know as ambient today. He created the imaginative reality of the ‘Fourth World’, blending acoustic and electronic music in a pioneering way. Listen to his music, and I promise you’ll be able to see the textures and colors of sound yourself. It’s a nice way to open up to the ever present synergy. I also recommend reading his book, an interesting look into the mind of the legacy.

It wasn’t about the need for a change of mindset, it was about opening up a book of stories a lot of people didn’t realize they’re playing a part in. The scope of the platform is  broader than just the club and electronic music industry. When we started back in 2016, the underlying vision was to build a community around music with a holistic approach, fusing it with visual and interdisciplinary elements. Music was the starting point, but never the centerpoint.

Rather than changing a mindset, the goal is to learn from each other, stimulate experimentation, and foster collaboration. Most of the time a publication or project insists on further research. It provokes open dialogue and allows us to educate ourselves. We aim to look at concepts within music at a high level of abstraction, allowing us to come up with fresh perspectives or insights. It feels like an ecosystem for ideas. The more people join this ecosystem, the more flourishing it will become. Whether it’s readers, music enthusiasts, artists, or simply supporters of the community, they all contribute to the movement that is MC.

FOCUSING ON YOUR MUSIC CAREER, WHAT IS IT LIKE TO COMBINE YOUR WORK AS A DJ WITH MINIMAL COLLECTIVE?

Actually, the activities within Minimal Collective feel like a big part of my musical career. It enables me to actively absorb and deconstruct music on a daily basis and pushes me to look at music in different ways. I derive a lot of inspiration from these perspectives, it influences my selections and the way I construct sets. Vice versa, playing music and sharing it with a crowd triggers emotions and senses that can’t be achieved by listening to or writing about music, for instance. 

Both are very different and require their own unique state of mind. But, when channeled right, they both reinforce each other and enhance my overall sense for music and creativity. Sometimes it’s hard to combine time-wise, but it’s about choosing your battles - for everything there is a right place and time.

THE HOLISTIC APPROACH THAT YOU WORK FROM IN MINIMAL COLLECTIVE IS, WITHOUT A DOUBT, A TRULY VISIONARY WAY OF UNDERSTANDING THE CLUB BEYOND THE MUSIC AND THE SPACE ITSELF. IN THIS SENSE, HOW DO YOU IMAGINE THE DANCE FLOOR IN THE COMING YEARS?

This question seems quite simple yet is so complex. Ofcourse, technical developments will lead to improved sound systems and new ways of incorporating other art forms on the dance floor. However, the dance floor has many different layers to it. The physical, the visual, the emotional, the political. It also strongly depends on what type of dance floor we are talking about. A club basement? A festival? An illegal rave? Every dance floor has its own intentions and brings out different dynamics. The dance floor is more like a philosophy, and it’s hard to argue in which direction this will develop.

If I try to imagine the future of the dance floor I ask myself: why do we dance? Since ancient times, dancing together has been a ritual. Humans participate in these rituals for a variety of reasons. Making protest, transcending ego, forming identity, being inspired, maybe all of them? Today, we live in a flux of communication and stimulation. Some might argue we live in a turbulent era even. Music on a dance floor can serve as a resting point within the chaos. Given this fact, I foresee that dance floors will become more important than ever. At times where numerous reasons may drive us apart, the unifying power of the dance floor will stand strong. In what form these dancefloors will occur, only time will tell. Hopefully they stay as uncut and open minded as they are intended to be.