LINKS:
https://js-horseman.bandcamp.com
https://jshorseman.com/sound-works/
The AGATHA , Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to be released on Friday, April 28, 2023 at:
https://lumiphonstudios.bandcamp.com
"When directors Roland Becerra and Kelly Bigelow Becerra approached me to create the entire sound design and musical score for the film Agatha, I was quite honored because I felt like they understood me. To me, 'sound design' (environment in my definition) and music are structurally synonymous, and that's what they wanted with their movie. On the other hand I was mortified to take on such a huge responsibility, to be the guy in charge of everything that makes a sound, from a cricket chirp to a big musical climax.
Mini story: as a kid, I had an experience on a summer day upon hearing several different lawnmowers moving about in the distance. As they moved around they framed a perfectly beautiful augmented chord that would resolve sequentially in and out of major and minor sounding chords, then back again to an augmented chord. Add that to the chirping birds, buzzing cicadas, passing cars, and neighbors yelling about something, I had a full symphony, right in front of me. So, to reiterate: creating a “sound design", (an environment) and a piece of music is the same for me. Roland and Kelly understood that about me when they heard my sound works, thus I was hired. However, I was scared at first because I knew this movie was dealing with some psychologically nightmarish, diabolic horror-based content, and I am afraid of my own shadow. But, what reeled me deeper into working with them on this project was how the dreamlike narrative reflects how humans can behave; how regardless of anyone's point of view there is cause and effect; there are repercussions for decisions we make, and try to selfishly justify which can all lead to horrid realities on all sides of a circumstance. As a nightmarish dreamscape, this project has powerfully subversive qualities, which drives a potent commentary on the smartphone culture amid a world of decay and corruption– and that's what kept me sonically submerged in Agatha's world."
ABOUT:
Sound designer, composer, and visual artist, JS-Horseman mixes traditional musical score and instrumentation with experimental tape/ microphone recording and modular synthesis. Horseman's practice navigates and explores with melding sonic, visual, sculptural, and narrative art forms. His artistic manifestations range from 2D paintings and musical compositions to illustrated record Vinyl projects, Digital releases, sound-based Installation art, and film score.
Born in 1981, Maryland native, Horseman has carried his creative practice to Baltimore, Philadelphia, Eastern Connecticut, Boston, Syracuse, New York City, and Los Angeles. He has also participated in other international exhibitions and venues in Jerusalem, and Moscow. He currently lives in Eastern Pennsylvania where he continues his sound art, musical composition, and visual practice.
"As a Multidisciplinary artist, I consider a work of art secondary to the process. For me, the experience of laboring my hands and senses together with what I consider elemental materials (clay, mud, pigments, colors, light, sound, etc) is an alchemical, transformative, divinely spiritual experience. The final product is a surface memory of that experience that I want to share with others, and perhaps the product can regenerate that experience in a unique way for the viewer/listener."
