ASMR MUSIC
for amplified pierrot + percussion (amplified objects)
length: 12 mins
ASMR MUSIC is a piece inspired by my struggles with sleeping and anxiety. The title references ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response), a term describing the tingling or goosebumps sensation triggered by subtle sounds such as whispered voices, keyboard typing, or crackling fire. Quiet sounds that are often amplified using a microphone.
Over the past year, anxiety and daily stress have made it difficult for me to fall asleep. To cope, I started listening to music and watching long videos on my phone as a distraction from the ever-looming anxiety. As the algorithms caught up with my sleeping troubles, my feed became cluttered by ASMR videos, and despite never liking them, I gradually became mesmerized by these videos.
In this piece, the percussionist uses a tiny microphone to amplify various objects in textural and rhythmic ways. Evoking the soundworld of these videos, the ensemble rapidly alternates between fragile and mesmerizing minuscule sounds and sudden outbursts of noise, creating a narrative of someone trying, but constantly failing, to fall asleep.
