Bill Laswell
Bill Laswell
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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William "Bill" Laswell is a multi-talented artist known by his full name. He has worked under various aliases throughout his career.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on December 2, 1955, in Salem, Massachusetts, USA. As of this writing, Bill Laswell is still active in the music industry.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American by birth, Laswell has worked as a bassist, record producer, mixing engineer, and remixer across various genres.
Early Life and Background
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Laswell's early life was marked by an interest in music. He began playing the bass guitar at a young age, which eventually led him to form his own band. His exposure to diverse musical styles during this period laid the foundation for his future endeavors as a producer and artist.
Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, Laswell was influenced by the emerging fusion of jazz, rock, and electronic music. This eclectic mix of sounds not only shaped his approach to production but also informed his experimentation with different genres throughout his career.
Major Accomplishments
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Throughout his career, Laswell has collaborated with numerous artists across various disciplines. His accomplishments include:
Co-founding the record label Axiom Records in 1983.
Producing and mixing music for iconic albums such as Herbie Hancock's Rockit (1983), Peter Gabriel's So (1986), and Laurie Anderson's Homeland (1989).
Launching the experimental music collective WordSound.Notable Works or Actions
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Laswell has been involved in numerous projects, both as a producer and an artist. Some notable works include:
His solo album Axiom Atlantis (1994), which showcased his ability to blend electronic elements with traditional instrumentation.
* Collaborating with artists such as Brian Eno, David Torn, and Gigi Grillo on various projects.
Impact and Legacy
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Bill Laswell's influence on the music industry extends beyond his work as a producer. His willingness to experiment with unconventional sounds has paved the way for future generations of producers and musicians.
Laswell's commitment to pushing boundaries has also led him to explore other artistic mediums, including visual arts and literature. This diversity not only reflects his creative range but also underscores his dedication to expressing himself through multiple forms.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Bill Laswell is widely quoted and remembered for his innovative approach to music production. His willingness to experiment with unorthodox sounds has inspired countless artists, while his commitment to exploring diverse artistic mediums continues to set him apart as a visionary in the creative community.
Laswell's contributions to the music industry have been recognized through numerous awards and accolades. Despite this, he remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible, both sonically and visually.
Quotes by Bill Laswell
Computers and electronic music are not the opposite of the warm human music. It’s exactly the same.
What I’m dealing with is sound. I don’t pretend to be dealing with music. I’m just dealing with sound elements, textures and sounds.
Miles Davis fully embraced possibilities and delved into it. He was criticized heavily from the jazz side. He was supposed to be part of a tradition, but he didn’t consider himself part of a tradition.
People who play conventional music are threatened by electronica and don’t consider it to be as valuable as what they do.
Records are just moments of achievement. They’re like receipts for work done. Time goes on and people keep playing music.
If you listen to really deep ambient records that don’t move too much, very still records, long after those records are finished, you might find yourself listening for hours to the sound of the room.
In all the music that deals with experimental repetition, drum and bass, dub, various kinds of house music, there’s always been a quality of atmosphere and ambience.
People are afraid of things they don’t understand. They don’t know how to relate. It threatens their security, their existence, their career, image.
