Summary of "Brian Eno Knows 'What Art Does'" – The New Yorker Radio Hour
Podcast Information:
- Title: The New Yorker Radio Hour
- Host: WNYC Studios and The New Yorker
- Host of Episode: Amanda Petrusich
- Description: Profiles, storytelling, and insightful conversations hosted by David Remnick.
- Episode: Brian Eno Knows “What Art Does”
- Release Date: June 3, 2025
Introduction to Brian Eno
In this episode, Amanda Petrusich engages in an in-depth conversation with Brian Eno, a seminal figure in the music industry renowned for his innovative contributions both as a musician and a producer. Eno's expansive career includes collaborations with iconic artists such as U2, Talking Heads, David Bowie, and Grace Jones. Beyond his production prowess, Eno is celebrated as a musical philosopher, often likened to a "guru of the soundboard."
Notable Quote:
"Brian Eno is an English musician and producer whose career is so vast and adventurous it really can't be easily encapsulated."
— Amanda Petrusich [01:10]
The Essence of Ambient Music
Eno discusses his pivotal role in the creation and naming of ambient music—a genre characterized by minimalist electronic compositions that evoke a sense of presence and subtlety. He describes ambient music as an experience that "you feel in your body in all the soft and tender places that go untouched by thought," emphasizing its instinctive over intellectual nature.
Notable Quote:
"Somewhere along the way, he essentially invented, or at the very least named ambient music... something that you feel in your body in all the soft and tender places that go untouched by thought."
— Amanda Petrusich [01:10]
The Purpose of Art and the Role of Feelings
Engaging deeply with the philosophical underpinnings of art, Eno explores the fundamental question of why humans create art. He challenges the notion that art is merely a luxury, asserting that humans are also profoundly guided by what they find beautiful, striking, or impressive amidst a world saturated with external influences like advertisers and influencers.
Notable Quotes:
"Why do we make art? It's a completely universal human activity, but we don't seem to know very much about that fundamental level."
— Brian Eno [02:22]
"Really, the only product of art is feelings. Its main point is to make your feelings change... feelings are the beginning of everything; it's our first line of contact with the world."
— Brian Eno [05:00]
Surrender and Emotional Engagement in Art
Eno delves into the concept of surrender in the context of art and human experiences. He likens peak experiences—such as profound love, art appreciation, or religious fervor—to moments where individuals willingly let something beyond their comprehension affect them. This surrender is central to the artistic experience, which aims to evoke and transform feelings.
Notable Quotes:
"Many of the things that humans regard as peak experiences... are situations where we willingly let something happen to us that is slightly beyond our ability to comprehend and control."
— Brian Eno [04:42]
"Art is very often a simulator. In that way, you can experience what an unhappy marriage is like by reading about it without having to have an unhappy marriage."
— Brian Eno [09:14]
Exploring New Music: "Luminal" and "Lateral"
Eno introduces his latest musical projects, Luminal and Lateral, created in collaboration with Beatty Wolf. He distinguishes Luminal as a collection of songs characterized as "dream music," while Lateral is described as "space music," a single, extended piece meant to serve as a sonic environment or "place" that listeners can inhabit.
Notable Quotes:
"Luminal is a group of songs. Lateral is a single long piece. It's more like a space... a place that you go to."
— Brian Eno [12:07]
"The first ambient record...the music should be as ignorable as it is interesting. I want to make a kind of music that you could surrender to or ignore."
— Brian Eno [13:22]
Collaboration with Beatty Wolf
Discussing his collaboration with Beatty Wolf, Eno emphasizes the importance of sound texture and experimentation with new sonic possibilities. He draws parallels between ambient music and heavy metal, noting that both genres serve as immersive soundscapes, albeit in vastly different emotional tones.
Notable Quotes:
"A lot of composition now is an experiment with trying to digest all of those new sonic possibilities."
— Brian Eno [13:46]
"Ambient music was built on the notion that there was this new way of composing."
— Brian Eno [14:56]
The Complexity of Human Emotions in Sound
Eno reflects on how different emotions are conveyed through music, highlighting that feelings like melancholy and the "sparkle of new life" are readily identifiable in sound, whereas emotions such as boredom are more challenging to encapsulate musically. He underscores the importance of embracing complex emotions to foster creative growth and personal insight.
Notable Quotes:
"The feelings that I think are very, very easy to locate in sound are sort of melancholy and the sparkle of new life. I have never yet... heard anything that captured the feeling of boredom."
— Brian Eno [16:23]
"Boredom feels like a kind of endangered resource. It is such a generative experience if you can surrender to it."
— Brian Eno [17:38]
Climate Advocacy and Personal Choices
Eno discusses his commitment to climate advocacy, specifically his decision to minimize air travel as a personal stance against climate change. He acknowledges the challenges of this choice, particularly in regions like America where flying is often integral to personal and professional life. Despite missing certain experiences and places, Eno remains steadfast in his commitment to reducing his carbon footprint.
Notable Quotes:
"I've taken four plane journeys since I made that decision... I feel that all of us could make a lot less flights."
— Brian Eno [18:49]
"It's a very personal decision, and I can't, in all honesty, say to everybody else, you should stop flying because people have different lives and different needs."
— Brian Eno [19:13]
Balancing Climate Activism with Creative Work
Addressing the interplay between his climate activism and creative endeavors, Eno emphasizes the theme of economy—maximizing output with minimal resources. He avoids being constrained by traditional studio setups, instead embracing the unique circumstances of each moment to foster creativity and authenticity in his work.
Notable Quotes:
"One of the themes of my work... is economy, is trying to see how much you can do with how little."
— Brian Eno [20:44]
"Every moment in your life is a unique set of circumstances. Unique both in what it has and in what it lacks."
— Brian Eno [21:08]
Reflections on the Creative Process
Eno shares insights into his creative process, highlighting the organic emergence of patterns and ideas from within himself rather than through conscious planning. He muses on the nature of creativity, suggesting that what some perceive as divine inspiration may actually be manifestations of the deeper, often inaccessible parts of the self.
Notable Quotes:
"I listen to an old song and realize there was a quite complicated set of similar sounds... those patterns appear. I don't think they originated from God... Is God a name for those inaccessible or unknown parts of yourself?"
— Brian Eno [22:00]
Conclusion
Amanda Petrusich and Brian Eno conclude their insightful conversation by expressing mutual appreciation, reflecting on the depth of their discussion about art, emotions, creativity, and activism. Eno's perspectives offer a profound exploration of the intrinsic connections between human experience and artistic expression.
Notable Quote:
"It's been so wonderful talking with you. I appreciate it deeply."
— Brian Eno [23:08]
Additional Resources:
- Documentary: A noteworthy documentary titled Eno was released the previous year, providing a visual and narrative exploration of Brian Eno's life and work.
Produced by: Max Balton, Adam Howard, David Krasnow, Jeffrey Masters, Louis Mitchell, Jared Paul, and Ursula Sommer.
Music: Composed and performed by Meryl Garbus of Tune Yards, with additional music by Louis Mitchell.
This episode offers a comprehensive look into Brian Eno's multifaceted approach to art and life, making it a valuable listen for those interested in the intersections of music, philosophy, and activism.