William Basinski on Time, Memory, and AI: An Interview
William Basinski, a pioneer of ambient/drone music, is set to perform at Jazz Is Dead! Festival in Turin on May 24, 2024, at Bunker. In an interview, he discusses his early work with tape loops in San Francisco, the genesis of his album 'The Clocktower at the Beach (1979),' and his collaborations with Bob Wilson and Marina Abramović. He expresses concern about AI, referencing Israel's Lavender program, and describes his upcoming live show as intense and political. The festival also features Suzanne Ciani, John Zorn, and others.
Key facts
- William Basinski performs at Jazz Is Dead! Festival on May 24, 2024, at Bunker in Turin.
- Basinski's album 'The Clocktower at the Beach (1979)' was created from tape loops made after moving to San Francisco in 1978.
- He collaborated with Bob Wilson and Marina Abramović on the opera 'The Life and Death of Marina Abramović' with Anohni.
- Basinski criticizes AI, citing Israel's Lavender program that mistakenly targeted humanitarian workers.
- His live show is described as 'the most intense' he has ever done, featuring pieces from 'Lamentations' and an archival piece 'The Last Symphony' from 1984.
- The festival also includes performances by Suzanne Ciani, Moritz Von Oswald, Daniela Pes, I Hate My Village, Godflesh, and John Zorn.
- John Zorn performs on April 28 at Auditorium Giovanni Agnelli del Lingotto.
- Suzanne Ciani performed live on April 6 and 8 in Turin and Milan.
Entities
Artists
- William Basinski
- Suzanne Ciani
- Moritz Von Oswald
- Daniela Pes
- I Hate My Village
- Godflesh
- John Zorn
- James Elaine
- Bob Wilson
- Marina Abramović
- Anohni
Institutions
- Jazz Is Dead! Festival
- TUM Torino
- Magazzino sul Po
- Arci Torino
- Auditorium Giovanni Agnelli del Lingotto
- Bunker
Locations
- Turin
- Italy
- Milan
- Houston
- USA
- San Francisco
- Texas
- Haight-Ashbury
- Gaza