PURE LAND, by Michael Bettine

PURE LAND

by Michael Bettine

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Full Digital Discography

48

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Get all 48 Michael Bettine releases available on Bandcamp and save 70%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of All Access Pass (Box Set), Vanishing Point, UNIVERSE, At The Break of Day, PURE LAND, Expanse, State of Being, Book of Changes, and 40 more. , and , .

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1.	Awakening 03:35	buy track
2.	Primal Vow 05:39	buy track
3.	Diamond Heart (Midori's Theme) 02:31	buy track
4.	Noumenon 05:22	buy track
5.	Diamond Heart (Immeasurable Light) 02:28	buy track
6.	Bardo Crossing 10:28	buy track
7.	Diamond Heart (Infinite) 04:38	buy track
8.	The Farthest Shore 08:35	buy track
9.	Diamond Heart (Remembered) 12:14	buy track
10.	Pure Land 19:13	buy track
11.	Refuge 02:41	buy track

about

This music is of another time—literally. In my former career as a drum set player in bands, the music was often about playing fast and playing a lot of notes. This created a certain kinetic energy that drove the music forward. In my current career as a percussionist, or more specifically a gong player, the music that I compose and create is about space. The space between the notes is just as prominent and important as the notes themselves. So while everyone else seems to want to play faster and faster, I want to play slower and slower, with more space in between each note. I want the sounds to linger, to take their time in moving forward through time.

Thus, this is an album of fewer notes and more spaces. I feel that the spaces help define the notes, as they set them apart and give them room to breathe. Part of my inspiration comes from the great 20th century American composer, Morton Feldman. His music often took its time, in no hurry to get to the end, in no hurry to get anywhere really. I’ve also been inspired by the great Japanese percussionist, Midori Takada. She taught me how to dance in the spaces, feeling them completely and making each note count on its own.

Another part of the inspiration for this music are my instruments, especially the new Paiste Bronze Gongs™ that I have. The sounds they make have changed my music and sent me off in a new direction. These are the types of sounds I’ve always wanted. There’s nothing like new instruments to inspire your explorations. They have quickly become a part of my live set up these past 6 months, with parts of the music presented here being played live at my sessions.

So breathe deeply, breathe slowly, and let the spaces between fill the Pure Land. ~ MB

Recorded February 2022, at The Vibration Factory, Milwaukee. All tracks were performed and recorded live, with no overdubs. There are no effects, electronics or any modifications of the sounds I made. The is Pure Sound. Composed, performed, mixed and edited by Michael Bettine. Field recordings by Michael Bettine.

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released March 1, 2022

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Michael Bettine

Neurodivergent percussionist specializing in resonating metals. He brings his interests in Alchemy & Hermeticism into his work, and manipulate the realms of time & space.

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Michael Bettine recommends:

Driftwood
by Simon Barker: drums

I've never heard anything else like this. I was fortunate to see Simon in Australia last January at MOFO and his playing and ideas are unique. This album blows me away. Check it out! Michael Bettine
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SACRED GONG TWO
by ANDREA CENTAZZO

I've stolen a lot of what I know about percussion from Andrea. He's a true original and creates beautiful music. You owe it to yourself to check this album out. Michael Bettine
go to album
Illusory
by JARBOE

I love this recording and find that it takes me to other realms. I often play it when I need to be in a creative mood. Jarboe's music seems to know me better than I know myself. Michael Bettine
go to album