Annus Mirabilis
Artist: Jeff Betten
Medium: sound
Engineered by J. Vega at The Wilderness Recording Studio in Zelienople, Pennsylvania
Produced and mixed by Malcolm Inglis
Programmed by Will Moro Milner
Featuring contributions by: André Costello, Dan Getkin, David Manchester, Jessica Hoffman, Mac Inglis, Shane McLaughlin, Bryce Rabideau, Isaac Hill, Heidi Hill, James Bristol, Joey Schuller, and Tim Good
“Hearing is another form of seeing”
William Hellermann
Artist Statement
November 5, 2019
Building on my previous work Three A.M. and the Stars Were Out, as well as on Brian Eno’s Reflection, this piece is a step away from the static. The individual parts are unmoored from their place in the landscape - one can never be certain when they may arise each time you listen to this record. The goal of this generative system is not necessarily to creative infinite music, but rather to simply surprise the listener.
In terms of content, this is a regionalist work heavily influenced by Andrew Wyeth. It’s the Tom Waits recording that I always hoped would exist. It’s the sound of a summer porch at midnight. The old, weird America at the witching hour.