Matthew Herbert, an artist, producer, and composer known for his unconventional approach to music, has recently released his latest album titled “The Horse.” In this project, Herbert explores the foundations of music and our connection to the natural world by using the skeleton of a horse as his source of inspiration.
Herbert’s previous works have involved using samples from the human body or manipulating recordings of pigs to delve into the life cycle of farmed animals. However, for “The Horse,” he took a different approach. He purchased a horse skeleton online and enlisted the help of instrument-maker Henry Dagg to transform the horse’s bones into musical instruments. The thigh bones were turned into flutes, the ribs and horsehair were used to create bows, and horse-skin drums were also crafted. Additionally, Herbert constructed an organic drum machine that generates beats using various bones. Collaborating with the London Contemporary Orchestra and incorporating scientific collaborators and artificial intelligence, Herbert aimed to bring the horse “back to life through sound and music.”
The result is a complex and intricate soundscape that tells the story of human music evolution, starting from bone flutes and skins in caves to electronic sounds. However, Herbert goes beyond the exploration of music and delves deeper into profound ideas. He highlights humanity’s damaged and exploitative relationship with the natural world, emphasizing the perception of separation and detachment from it. Herbert sees the record and the horse itself as a metaphor for climate change.
The world premiere performance of Matthew Herbert’s album, “The Horse,” accompanied by 12 orchestral musicians, is scheduled to take place on August 18th at the Edinburgh International Festival.
