Finding Errors

The term "glitch" to describe a genre of music started to appear around 1995, after Oval's releases Systemisch and 94 Diskont, and the ELpH vs. Coil album Worship the Glitch (where this show gets its name from). These two albums arguably started the modern day electronic movement most often referred to as "glitch." It is interesting how these three influential records were made and how they established ideas about this particular aesthetic. Oval, using scratched and written over compact discs, sampled the skipping and reorganized them. In effect they "harvested" the glitches - the errors, deconstructing the materiality of the media. Coil on the other hand had been collecting malfunctioning equipment over time and compiled these "natural" glitches to make Worship the Glitch. These two methodologies are the basis of music movement which celebrates the imperfection, error, and malfunction of the mechanized and digital.

There are varied analysis' of Glitch music, and keep in mind that is only to serve as a brief introduction. Check out Vague Terrain, a great resource to find more information about digital media culture as well exclusive songs and videos and photos. On their site is a download of a great writing by Kim Cascone, which goes into greater detail about this type of electronic music.

And last but not least Worship the Glitch is now officially podcasting! Check it out and subscribe! Also be sure to check out 91.3 KCPR San Luis Obispo for a schedule of some of the best music college radio has to offer.