SERA011: Satellite Era presents "Music For Serial Ports" - a two-part project by DIY musician, visual artist, and software developer Scott Metoyer.

Out now on all major platforms: https://smarturl.it/3r63u3

As our exploration of the internet-spawned electronic music sphere continues, we find ourselves constantly searching for new artists that push production passed their digital audio workstations - it was inevitable that we would cross paths with Southern California-based creator Scott Metoyer. Using custom-built controllers, modular synthesizers, and algorithmic processes, he distinctively combines a tangible, analog world with the benefits of boundless digitalism.

The title of Metoyer's latest project "Music For Serial Ports" may seem like a clever riff on Brian Eno's ambient masterpiece "Music For Airports," yet it holds a much deeper meaning. Awakening the hidden symphonies surrounding us, the project takes raw data from barcodes on household products and transform it all into an audible medium. Common necessities, often overlooked as items on a shopping list, come to life as artifacts from a society riddled with unethical consumption.

"Music For Serial Ports" was created using algorithmic software made specifically for the project, written entirely in Node.js by Metoyer himself. It processes input from a barcode scanner and uses the raw data as a “seed” to make sets of generative MIDI instrument tracks, control changes, musical scales, master tempo, time signatures, and other parameters needed to create a musical piece. The output of the software is a MIDI file containing a final “sculpture” built directly from the barcode itself - it is then imported into a DAW where voices are assigned to the individual tracks and all other data is properly routed.

Each song is produced to be as close to said barcode data as possible, all while still sounding musically interesting. Metoyer does this by setting base limitations to the composition, which challenges his own written software and improvisational skills. No notes are added to each sequence - only removing or rearranging is allowed. None of a song’s data aside from this is edited, leaving parameters randomly set from each object unchanged. Only Native Instruments FM8 is used to source multiple voices into each track - in the spirit of the DX7 used extensively by Eno.

Ever wondered what a bag of chips or random container in a medicine cabinet would sound like if it could write music? The names of each song are the actual physical objects that were scanned to make the MIDI “sculptures.” A tarot deck sounds as mysterious as one would imagine - a bottle of isopropyl alcohol sonically intoxicates the listener when left open. Suddenly, sounds from the kitchen, bathroom, and living room are bouncing against each wall of a retrofuturistic home. “Music For Serial Ports” also strives to tell a visual story - every detail, from the Satellite Era-branded products to the time capsule machine that locks them away, plays a role in the narrative.

Metoyer’s “Music For Serial Ports” may not have reinvented the wheel as far as algorithmic production goes, but it certainly has tapped into its own universe. Here, life has been given to each data-filled edge - every inanimate object has the ability to conduct an orchestra of its own. Among this project, there is clear imagery of rustic, worn items that will outlive humanity and dive gracefully into the future, ready to be discovered by the unknown.

In an effort to share his creative process, Metoyer has made the software open-source and published it on GitHub, so anyone can create generative music derived from barcode scans. This includes the application source code, barcode images, log file outputs, and other artifacts from the project.

https://github.com/scottmetoyer/mfsp

CREDITS
Scott Metoyer - software development & production
Amir Mashayekhi - mixing & mastering
Nic Juister - cover art

BUY / STREAM

Scott Metoyer - Multi-Surface Dusting Spray

Get it here: https://yukumusic.bandcamp.com/album/concerta
Follow Sam: Link @sambot

"The tracks in Concerta began to take form immediately following my first work with YUKU. I wanted to continue a similar dance-forward broken beat style while integrating sounds and textures that have inspired me over the past couple years. The music follows personal themes of concentration, creativity as a sanctuary from the harsh realities of the world, and the ebb and flow of inspiration. I am thrilled by Tom Tebby’s artwork for this release; it fits perfectly, offering a radiant response to Hesitate."
—Sam Link

Artwork by Tom Tebby

Concerta

Feel LIke

Get Me

Sam Link — Feel Like

Axle - Shakedown (Clip)

A taste of some forthcoming bits on YUKU in the next months
From: Endmodell — Maude Vos — Cleo AD — TRAKA — Imaginary Number — COIDO x TRAKA — Cocktail Party Effect — Aroma Nice

YUKU

MINIDIVE #1

SWU FM PODCAST

Thys with COIDO - 22 May 2024

TAKEN FROM 'TWO YEARS EP' - RELEASED 20TH JUNE

STEAM & PREORDER 12" / DIGI: https://orcd.co/deft_gowest

A familiar favourite, Deft, steps up with his second EP on Hooversound, featuring a VIP remix of one of his original songs taken from his 2020 ‘Burna’ EP.

Defts ‘Burna’ EP back in 2020 set the tone perfectly for Hooversound, it being the second release on the imprint following Hyroglific and Sinistarr’s almighty ‘BS6’. Deft’s hybrid artistic style of production sat perfectly within the launch of Hooversound as he went on to rise steadily within the underground electronic scene. Fast forward four years, Deft returns to Hooversound with an equally impressive follow up, entitled ‘Two Years’.

Yip Wong aka Deft has been producing music for nearly a decade. Within that time he has crafted a signature style using elements of dance, cinematic sound design, hip hop, jungle, footwork and 140. This enigmatic style of production has led him to release on 20/20 LDN, Exit, 1985 Music, Critical Music and more. His release schedule alongside his ever evolving sound has gained the attention of not only London and UK listeners, but fans worldwide.

Defts new ‘Two Years’ EP on Hooversound once again sees the talented producer drawing elements from 140, footwork and jungle, all laced with his ability to create immersive atmospheres and intricate percussion. It’s been teased across SHERELLE and NAINAs DJ sets for months, with it finally dropping to the masses this summer on Hooversound.

Go West!

Buy & Stream

Go West! (HOO19)

For our second EP release, @thematicspb & @oddkut have joined forces to bring "Minimal Grind". Equally split into two solo and two collaborative productions, this four-tracker once again proves Oddkut's and Thematic's mastery, with sonics ranging from stripped minimalistic dubstep to skippy percussive-driven leftfield bass.

Tracklist:
1. Thematic x Oddkut - Minimal Grind
2. Thematic x Oddkut - Rocker
3. Thematic - Back Alley
4. Oddkut - Internal Rift

Mastered: Kercha ( @thekercha )
Design: PQQ ( @pqqshki )

Minimal Grind EP (JR002)

Pre-order

Thematic & Oddkut - Minimal Grind EP (JR002) - Showreel (20.06.2024)

COY039
Slick
X-Ray (Knurx Remix)

1. X-Ray
2. No
3. X-Ray (Knurx Remix)

COY039 | Slick - X-Ray

Slick - X-Ray (Knurx Remix)

FKOF Premiere!

Head into the Czech mine with K0JACK (@johan-auer), who brings some dirty, weight-driven yet carefully produced dubs to WZ's imprint @shakhtarec.

We premiere the bouncy 'Dig This': a cut that sets off a crowd instantly. The 808's bring the right flavour to a production like this, especially because the percussion is as ace 'as it can get'.

'SHKHT009' is set for release on 21/06/2024 thru all familiar digital vendours, so make sure to support Czech's imprint Shaktha Records and K0JAK by clicking the buy-link...

1. K0JAK - Dig This

https://soundcloud.com/fatkidonfire/sets/fkof-premiere

https://soundcloud.com/johan-auer
https://soundcloud.com/shakhtarec
https://fatkidonfire.com
https://shakhtarecords.bandcamp.com

K0JAK - SHKHT009

BUY 'SHKHT009'

K0JAK - Dig This (SHKHT009) [FKOF Premiere]

Samba - 18 June 2024

STREAM & BUY 12" / DIGI: orcd.co/deft_gowest

A familiar favourite, Deft, steps up with his second EP on Hooversound, featuring a VIP remix of one of his original songs taken from his 2020 ‘Burna’ EP.

Defts ‘Burna’ EP back in 2020 set the tone perfectly for Hooversound, it being the second release on the imprint following Hyroglific and Sinistarr’s almighty ‘BS6’. Deft’s hybrid artistic style of production sat perfectly within the launch of Hooversound as he went on to rise steadily within the underground electronic scene. Fast forward four years, Deft returns to Hooversound with an equally impressive follow up, entitled ‘Two Years’.

Yip Wong aka Deft has been producing music for nearly a decade. Within that time he has crafted a signature style using elements of dance, cinematic sound design, hip hop, jungle, footwork and 140. This enigmatic style of production has led him to release on 20/20 LDN, Exit, 1985 Music, Critical Music and more. His release schedule alongside his ever evolving sound has gained the attention of not only London and UK listeners, but fans worldwide.

Defts new ‘Two Years’ EP on Hooversound once again sees the talented producer drawing elements from 140, footwork and jungle, all laced with his ability to create immersive atmospheres and intricate percussion. It’s been teased across SHERELLE and NAINAs DJ sets for months, with it finally dropping to the masses this summer on Hooversound.

Two Years

Koover In '92 VIP (HOO19)

SATELLITE ERA - EST. 2020
|
 -> SATELLITE TRAX - EST. 2023

Satellite Era [SERA] is a Chicago-based record label and art collective that pairs forward-thinking audio with innovative visual design. 

Our intention is to aid in the progression of experimental electronic music by pushing boundaries in multiple mediums. We aim to provide an inclusive online shrine for artists to reach their fullest potential, and enthusiasts to tap into a more exploratory side of art consumption.

Satellite Trax [STRX] is an expansion of our core imprint that focuses on dance-centric music and its club roots; part of the foundation within our sonic heritage.

We Are Satellite Era. We Are Worldwide.

For press + release inquiries: satellite.era1@gmail.com

STRX005: CURSXR - Vanish Mode EP
https://ffm.to/strx005

SERA021: Iris Ipsum - Xtilde EP
https://ffm.to/sera021

SERA020: Ton Mise - Moon Behind The Eyelids EP
https://ffm.to/sera020

SERA019: Various Artists - Distant Arrays Volume 07
https://ffm.to/sera019

STRX004: TRAKA - DMSAT EP
https://ffm.to/strx004

SERALP01: gonima - Escapism
https://ffm.to/seralp01

Scott Metoyer - Multi-Surface Dusting Spray

SATELLITE ERA

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