A Profile of Experimental Ambient Artist, Tim Hecker
Tim Hecker is a Canadian electronic music artist who has been active in the scene since 1995. His work spans multiple genres including ambient, drone, and noise.
The term “ambient” was coined by Brian Eno in his 1978 book Ambient 1: Music for Airports. It referred to the calming, non-intrusive music that could create a peaceful environment. However, over time, the genre has evolved and become more experimental.
Hecker’s early work was characterized by its use of noise and drone elements, but he has since moved towards a more ambient sound. His 2001 album “Ravedeath, 1972” is considered a classic of the ambient genre.
Discography
- Remade (1998)
- Opal (2000)
- Ravedeath, 1972 (2001)
- Calm Divided (2001)
- Ambient 22 (2004)
- Dropped Pianos (2006)
- Ravedeath, 1972 (2008 reissue)
- Ravedeath, 1972 / Dropped Pianos (2010 reissue)
- Ravedeath, 1972/Riskweater (2011 reissue)
- Ravedeath, 1972 (2019 remastered reissue)
- Distant Moonlight (2023)
Influences and Influencing Others
Hecker’s music is heavily influenced by ambient pioneers such as Brian Eno and William Basinski. He has also cited Kraftwerk, Can, and The Haxan Cloak as influences.
“I’ve always been interested in the idea of creating a sense of environment or atmosphere through music.” – Tim Hecker
Hecker’s influence can be heard in the work of other ambient artists such as Fennesz, William Basinski, and Stars of the Lid. His use of distortion and noise has also been influential in the development of the drone genre.
Liverpool and North America
In 2009 Hecker was commissioned to create a new piece for Liverpool Biennial’s Festival of Light.
“The thing about sound is that it can be quite immersive, you know? And the way you use instruments, and how you manipulate them – it can make this huge difference. For me, it’s always been about creating these kinds of spaces.” – Tim Hecker
Hecker has also released several albums on his own label, krankenamt.
References
* Wikipedia
* MusicBrainz
Note: This article is based on public data available until 01 March 2024. Any changes or updates after this date are not included.