Ritual de lo Habitual
Ritual de lo Habitual
Timber Rattle And The Value of Not Knowing || Aquarium Drunkard 20210907
I wrote about the heavy mellow devotional music of Timber Rattle, life at the Indianapolis Zen Center, ritualistic metal, and the power of not knowing for Aquarium Drunkard. You can read an archived version of this essay here.
I haven’t published much writing in the last few years, partly because I enjoy making new work that corresponds with the music more than making words about the music. This is partially what the “Ritual de lo Habitual” essay is about. The question of what distinguishes mainline ambient music from ritualistic or devotional music.
This general vibe is what connects a lot of the sounds on Inter-Dimensional Music and the Basking in Gravity and Lay Your Body Down mindfulness installations: music that works as a complement to real world activity, “be it communing with spirits via ecstatic dance, passing a smoldering chalice, eating of the bread and drinking of the cup, or simply washing the Zen Center dishes.” It’s a soundtrack for whatever practice feels right for your set and setting.
I’m also grateful to my kindred at the Indianapolis Zen Center for all the hours we spent sitting together in the dharma room. And especially to Linc, John, David, and Wife Rachel for giving me so many opportunities to practice “together action,” and experience IRL koans throughout the house, not just on our mats.
Listen for soon-coming Timber Rattle-inspired ID Music broadcasts and a special guest appearance from your host on “Radio Free Aquarium Drunkard” on dublab in the near future.
