With the explosive virality of Canada’s Angine de Poitrine, the discussion of microtonal music has reached fevered pitch of late. While what they do is refreshingly original among today’s sugary pop landscape, they are far from singular. I’ve had an interest in innovative, dissonant, and complex metered music since I was a kid.
‘her side’ EP by Maddie Ashman
I recently came across the wonderfully strange and pleasantly off kilter music of UK based avant-pop artist Maddie Ashman. Her most recent EP ‘her side’ is collection of songs created using alternate tunings and just intonation. Similar in nature to microtonal music, just intonation is a more pure study in harmony. It’s not as jarring or harsh. It affects the listener on an almost subconscious level.
“An EP that uses alternative tuning systems to explore the liminal space between emotions, reality and perception” ~ Bandcamp
In my own music I tended to work in the boundaries of standard twelve-note tunings. However, my philosophy was that if all of the instruments were in tune with each other then any intervals were acceptable, making for some cringe-worthy harshness. Ashman’s use of just intonation (or pure intonation) takes that philosophy to another level. Still noticeably different from modern western music, it is more easily accessible than other experimental fare. Harmonies tend to blend rather than clash.
The concept of just intonation is a mathematical construct that I admittedly don’t fully grasp. However, this is simply more harmonicly pleasing than the dissonant microtonal music flooding socials right now. The listener knows something unusual is happening as variations in harmony tweak the ear, but they’re too lost in it to be concerned. There are also shifts in time as measures move between each other. But again, not in a jarring manner. It feels natural in spite of — or perhaps due to — the sophistication.
The production on ‘her side’ is terrific, lending an air of mystique and quality worthy of the music. The way sounds move across the stereo field is mesmerizing. The main elements are up front and dominant. The guitar, piano, and breathy vocals are strong on their own yet percussive elements peak in to lend energetic support. Swimming in the background are flutters and tones that help to carry the whole thing along. There’s just so much for your ears and soul to discover here.
The avant-garde style and complex diversity of harmony, melody, and time are put together in such a way that if you want to be challenged, you’ll be challenged. If on the other hand you simply want to be entertained, you’ll be entertained. And somewhere in the middle, something will inevitably make you tilt your head in curiosity.
Cheers!
Stephen
Bandcamp → maddieashman.bandcamp.com
Instagram → instagram.com/maddieashman
TikTok → tiktok.com/@maddieashmanmusic
YouTube → youtube.com/@MaddieAshman
