The origin of Mars' satellites Phobos and Deimos is still up for debate. Their odd shapes seem as though they were small asteroids captured by the Red Planet's orbit. Much like the moon of its namesake, "Phobos" is an oddly shaped tune, with loping 3-measure phrases interlaced with melodic gestures that reset the rhythmic gravity. Matt Wiles brings a singing quality out of his bass with his bow work and supremely melodic solo. Jeff Mellott with his sensitive use of cymbal scrapes and brushes simulates the smash and scatteration of interstellar debris. "Phobos" is a true space ballad. I tried to record and mix this in the style of some of my favorite ECM Records recordings.
Musicians have a very interesting relationship to time. We are required to master internalizing and sensing it, and also work towards being able to manipulate it at will. With every subdivision we create another chasm which can be divided further into infinity. Can time really be measured? This subject fascinates me. Hence, "The Watchmaker."
Ben Tweedt, keyboards; Matt Wiles, bass; Jeff Mellott, drums; Brandon also on Mellotron.
I've always been drawn to water, whether it's the creeks and streams of my childhood, intensely crashing ocean waves, or a majestic waterfall. I suppose the artistic connection is in how water is unified even though the fluid motion is seemingly random/Brownian in nature. I try to achieve a similar 'unity' in improvised music when performing with my band.
