A zero-sum game is a situation in game theory where the total gains and losses among participants remain constant. In other words, any gain by one participant comes at the direct expense of others, resulting in a net sum of zero. It implies a competitive scenario where one's success is directly tied to another's failure, and resources are strictly limited. Similarly, noise music, a genre characterized by dissonance, unconventional sound sources, and a focus on texture rather than conventional harmony or melody, can be seen as a kind of "zero-sum" art form. In noise music, the creation of auditory experiences often involves the deliberate disruption of established musical norms and the sonic equivalent of aural chaos. The unconventional soundscapes produced may not conform to traditional musical structures and can be challenging for some listeners. Just as in a zero-sum game, where one participant's gain is another's loss, noise music's unique appeal comes from its divergence from conventional music, providing a contrasting experience to more harmonious and structured musical genres.
[Show title reference: “TOOLIE BEAM” by 1nonly and Pouya]
Playlist
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I Said If by Elvin Brandhi on Shelf Life (C.A.N.V.A.S.) - Break
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Yume Dewa by Yasuaki Shimizu on Kakashi (Palto Flats) -
Cueva by Terror/Cactus, Guazú on Simbiosis (Earthly Measures) -
Liye Liye by La Roche on Liye Liye (Nyege Nyege Tapes) - Break
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Song of the Highwire Shrimper by Tim Hecker on Radio Amor (Self-released) -
Assimilation by Ben Vince on Assimilation (Where To Now?) -
NIMB #69 by Toshimaru Nakamura on Culvert - No Input Mixing Board 10 (Room 40) - Break
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Alvin Row - Remastered 2023 by Animal Collective on Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished (Remastered 2023) (Domino Recording Co)