September 3rd, 2010
We had the chance to catch up with the creator of One Hello World. The description of the project on it’s official website is as follows: “Leave me a voicemail and I’ll write music behind your narrative. Call it a soundtrack to your thoughts. Leave me a message: (316) 247-0421″. The response has been astounding, with voicemails being left from around the globe. He then creates a backing soundtrack to the voicemails. Some of the voicemails are extremely personal and honest and the soundtracks add even more depth to the tracks. One particularly heart-wrenching example of someone calling in can be found here.
By Rodney Brown
So, you’ve got a pretty awesome idea on your hands. Where did “One Hello World” come from?
I was recording some music by myself one day and thought “It would be really cool to have people, from across the globe, speak their mind over this track.” So, I setup a voicemail and asked the world to pitch in.
The backing soundtracks you add to the voicemails are amazing. How long have you been making music?
Thank you. I’ve been making music for 21 years.
How do you choose which calls you will turn into a soundtrack?
I don’t have a specific method. However, I notice that the tracks that are most appealing to me have a few common characteristics. There’s the obvious aspects, such as: the quality of the signal and clarity of speech. I like the voicemails that have a certain rhythm or pace to them, not so much that it’s like poetry or rapping, but to where the caller’s monologue has its own flow or movement. Most important is the feeling that the person is being genuine, relating their story or views much in the same way I imagine they would with family or a close friend.
Have getting all of these emotional and inspiring calls affected you in anyway? Some of them are pretty intense…
Most of the phone calls I’m receiving identify with some aspect of my life, whether it’s something I experienced in the past or deal with currently. At the moment, I’m personally going through big changes and some of the recent callers really speak for how I feel.
Any favorite calls you’ve received? What was it?
Hmmm… since I’ve received hundreds of phone calls, this question is kind of like asking me what the favorites of my favorites are. However, if you asked me: “What was the one track that I felt I most effectively added a soundtrack to?”, I’d have to pick “Movies When You Die”. On the first listen of that voicemail, I immediately heard the whole score in my head. As I was building the recording, I kept hearing additional layers. It was a really dynamic experience, and I hope to have similar sessions in the future.
The soundtracks you compose aren’t always strictly classical. What kind of music inspires you?
The core of my music training lies in classical and jazz. However, my listening diet draws across a very wide spectrum (from bluegrass to hip hop, or classical to hardcore), thereby making my “inspiration playlist” similarly diverse. While music originating in various cultures across the globe appeals to me, the music I create is pretty faithful to the legacy of American styles. With that said, some of my musical heroes hail from abroad, such as film score composer Hans Zimmer, performing artists Portishead, Bjork and Cinematic Orchestra. I’m also keen to Madlib, Sufjan Stevens and George Gershwin.
Can we get any glimpse into the gear and/or programs you use to compose?
I have an 88 key weighted keyboard, a 16 pad drum trigger, and Logic Studio Pro 8 on my laptop. For the gear heads out there: Korg Triton-TR, Korg padKONTROL, and a MacBook Pro.
Seems you have no problem composing scores. Ever think about doing professional work? Movies maybe?
If a movie studio approached me to do a soundtrack, I would certainly consider it.
Alright, so if you like composing, you must have a favorite Disney song. Spill it.
Call me a sucker but, “The Circle of Life” is pretty rad.
“One Hello World” is fairly new on the scene. How do you expect it to evolve over time?
Right now, I’d like to receive even more international calls; if anything, I hope this would illustrate just how universal the human experience is. Short term, I have a band in the works and we’re going to see if we can get the project to translate to a live show. Big, fluffy dream? I’d like to be able to tour the world full time, playing this music.
Um.. I lost my number, can I borrow yours?
(316) 247-0421 – call anytime. I listen to everything. If you want to chat, I can receive texts at that number too.
Final thought: Any idea on what The Rock was REALLY cooking?
An acting career, apparently.
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