Voice of eye
Encyclopedia
Voice of Eye is a Taos
, New Mexico
based experimental
ambient music
duo whose members are Bonnie McNaim and Jim Wilson. Formed in 1991 in Houston, Texas
, their sound is one that blends electronic
soundscape
s, drones
, and world music
, particularly with Middle Eastern
overtones, and tends to evoke an atmospheric or shamanistic
quality. Many of the instruments used are home-made or heavily modified. Using this "odd palette of instrumentation," their music has been described as "largely indescribable, but totally inviting."
A 10 year musical hiatus began in 1997 as the duo shifted their focus from music to building an off-the-grid
sustainable home and studio in New Mexico
. They returned to touring and recording music in 2007.
Taos
Taos can meanPlaces*Taos Pueblo, a Native American pueblo, Tua-tah*Taos dialect, a dialect of the Tiwa language*Taos County, New Mexico, United States*Taos, New Mexico, a city, the county seat of Taos County, New Mexico...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
based experimental
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
ambient music
Ambient music
Ambient music is a musical genre that focuses largely on the timbral characteristics of sounds, often organized or performed to evoke an "atmospheric", "visual" or "unobtrusive" quality.- History :...
duo whose members are Bonnie McNaim and Jim Wilson. Formed in 1991 in Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, their sound is one that blends electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
soundscape
Soundscape
A soundscape is a sound or combination of sounds that forms or arises from an immersive environment. The study of soundscape is the subject of acoustic ecology...
s, drones
Drone (music)
In music, a drone is a harmonic or monophonic effect or accompaniment where a note or chord is continuously sounded throughout most or all of a piece. The word drone is also used to refer to any part of a musical instrument that is just used to produce such an effect.-A musical effect:A drone...
, and world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
, particularly with Middle Eastern
Middle Eastern music
The music of Western Asia and North Africa spans across a vast region, from Morocco to Afghanistan, and its influences can be felt even further afield. Middle Eastern music influenced the music of India, as well as Central Asia, Spain, Southern Italy, the Caucasus and the Balkans, as in chalga...
overtones, and tends to evoke an atmospheric or shamanistic
Shamanism
Shamanism is an anthropological term referencing a range of beliefs and practices regarding communication with the spiritual world. To quote Eliade: "A first definition of this complex phenomenon, and perhaps the least hazardous, will be: shamanism = technique of ecstasy." Shamanism encompasses the...
quality. Many of the instruments used are home-made or heavily modified. Using this "odd palette of instrumentation," their music has been described as "largely indescribable, but totally inviting."
A 10 year musical hiatus began in 1997 as the duo shifted their focus from music to building an off-the-grid
Off-the-grid
The term off-the-grid or off-grid refers to living in a self-sufficient manner without reliance on one or more public utilities....
sustainable home and studio in New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. They returned to touring and recording music in 2007.
Discography
- 2010, The Portland Improvisations, Conundrum Unlimited
- 2009, Seven Directions Divergent, CD, color Digipack, Conundrum Unlimited
- 2009, Substantia Innominata, 10" record, 39 minutes, clear vinyl with golden speckles, Limited Edition of 500, Drone Records
- 2007, Nicht-Wissen, Voice of Eye and Asia Nova, mini CDR, special edition of 100 for 2007 Tour, Old Europa Cafe
- 2007, Emergence: Improvisations Volume 1, CDR, special edition of 100 for 2007 Tour, Conundrum Unlimited
- 2007, Immersion: Improvisations Volume 2, CDR, special edition of 100 for 2007 Tour, Conundrum Unlimited
- 1999, The Nature of Sand, Illusion of Safety, Life Garden and Voice of Eye, CD, Manifold Records
- 1997, Live LASF, LP, Anomalous Records
- 1996, Narratives: Music for Fiction, Paul Schutze, Robert Rich and Voice of Eye, CD, Manifold Records
- 1995, Transmigration, CD, Cyclotron Industries
- 1995, Tryst #8, Big City Orchestra and Voice of Eye, Cassette, (Special Packaging of Many Things), UBUIBI
- 1995, The Hungry Void, Volume Two: Air, Life Garden and Voice of Eye, CD, Agni Music and Cyclotron Industries
- 1995, The Hungry Void, Volume One: Fire, Life Garden and Voice of Eye, CD, Agni Music and Cyclotron Industries
- 1995, Sprocket, 7" vinyl, Drone Records
- 1994, Vespers, CD, Cyclotron Industries
- 1992, Mariner Sonique, CD, Cyclotron Industries
- 1992, Resonant Fields/Hot Gypsy Fink, 90 minute Cassette, Cyclotron Industries
- 1991, Voice of Eye, 90 minute Cassette, Cyclotron Industries
- 1990, Isolation, 90 minute Cassette, Cyclotron Industries