20. June 2025

LUMINA

Echoes of the Past: A Journey with mylarmelodies

Join mylarmelodies in a mesmerizing exploration of live ambient music with My Panda Shall Fly and Tom Whitwell. Discover the allure of vintage technology and unconventional interfaces as soundscapes transcend into ethereal experiences.

A Synesthetic Prelude

Our journey begins not with a singular moment, but a convergence of two distant orbits in the realm of sound. In the dim glow of the London Synth & Pedal Expo 2025, mylarmelodies invites us to witness an eclectic conversation between Serene, known as My Panda Shall Fly, and Tom Whitwell of Music Thing. Our guides into this world of auditory exploration are poised at opposite ends of live performance, one an improvisational artist, the other a maker of enigmatic instruments. The dialogue sets the stage for a deep dive into how these two creators mold sound from the vintage echoes of computers and unorthodox hardware instruments into something ethereal and alive.


Sonic Alchemy of the Workshop Synth

Within this dialogue, we are immediately drawn into the magnetic allure of the Workshop synth, a creation by Tom Whitwell, that serves as the ethereal playground for Serene’s ambient performances. This instrument, unlike any other, invites sonic exploration with its micro-programmable cards that act as keys to a gilded vault of synthesis possibilities. Serene shares his method of live improvisation, deftly patching from a blank canvas into living soundscapes, each note a ripple through time. The process is akin to painting with sound, where each stroke of silence and noise creates a canvas of evolving textures. Pairing this with the tactile wizardry of a Korg Kaoss Pad 3, Serene conjures a tableau where technology and intuition dance in symbiosis. This combination paints neural landscapes where every twist and turn of the control knobs entrains us deeper into the narrative of sound. The Workshop is the artist’s brush, its cards the palette, transforming the stage into a sonic easel where abstract ideas become audible emotions.


The Art of Live Improv

As the dialogue progresses, we are taken through the ephemeral nature of live performance, where each moment is as precarious as it is magical. The philosophy behind My Panda Shall Fly’s live sets is one of openness and exploration, where the unpredictability of technology becomes a partner in creation. Serene’s performances are crafted with a mix of deliberate preparation and spontaneous invention, each set an evolving story. It’s a revelation of a world where each decision must be felt as it springs from the confines of an old Mac’s circuitry to the audience’s hearts. It’s about setting the stage, not just in a physical sense, but setting the narrative arc for sound itself. Soundscapes shift like weather patterns, where melody and rhythm are raindrops and thunder, unpredictably beautiful.

The Obsolescence Awakening

An intricate tapestry is woven through Serene’s dedication to rescuing forgotten relics of the digital age and breathing life into their esoteric frameworks. The project ‘Missing Music’ reflects a commitment to archiving the seemingly insignificant yet sublimely vital offerings of past music software, much like salvaging artifacts from a sunken ship. This collection is a nebula where obsolete Mac software twinkles again, offering glimpses into a formative era of audio experimentation. It is in this realm that Serene finds resonances of untapped creativity. His meticulous pursuit of these gems is akin to a treasure hunt, navigating through the labyrinth of old operating systems and digital decay. The music coaxed from these vintage channels is raw and pure, unfiltered by the polish of modern homogenization. The allure lies not only in nostalgia but in the tactile journey of rediscovering past wonders through vintage sounds and interfaces.

Embracing Constraints and Breaking Boundaries

In a world where technological advancement often leads to sensory overload, there’s an inherent charm in the constraints imposed by the dated machinery that Serene champions. It is within these limitations that creativity blooms furiously, finding solace and strength through the boundless finite. Serene’s work serves as a reminder that sometimes simplicity and limited resources compel artistry in ways infinite possibilities cannot. By limiting the breadth, the depth becomes richer, encouraging a deeper dive into the sonic core. Each obsolete piece of hardware becomes a tool for liberation, not confinement, allowing artists to delve into the core of their creativity and manifest their unique sound universe.

The Power of Interfaces and Human Connection

Further unfolding in the conversation is the dialogue around the significant role of interfaces. These tools not only control but also inspire and guide human interaction with the machine. Tom Whitwell and Serene reflect on how interfaces act as both barriers and conduits to creativity. The interface, like a seasoned painter’s brush, influences the final artwork but does not define it. The dialogue touches on the delicate dance between the rigidity of hardware design and the fluidity of human creativity. Interfaces shape experiences and dictate creative possibilities, serving not as hindrances but as partners in expression. They remind us that even in the world of automated processes and circuit-based creativity, the human touch is the ultimate guide, shaping how stories are told and experiences lived through sound.


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