Rena Jones - Indra's Web

In Buddhism and Hinduism, Indra's Web is a profound metaphor for the structure of reality, representing the interconnectedness and interdependency of all things, describing a rich and diverse universe where infinitely repeated mutual relations exist between all it's elements and entities. Through her composition, Rena creates a musical metaphor of this philosophy exploring a concept of repeated modalities similar to that of Stevie Wonder's 'the Secret life of Plants', while skillfully taking full advantage of the capabilities of modern digital sequencing software to create complex and playful glitched out grooves and transcending some of it's limitations by using the warmth and depth of analogue sound. In this concept, she presents different, yet interconnected themes that repeat themselves throughout the album, making it flow as one unique piece of modern classical electronic music. As a classically trained violinist, cellist and composer, with extensive experience in sound engineering and digital sound design, Rena sets herself among the leading musicians / producers who are breaking the boundaries between live and electronic music. For the making of this 4th full length release, Rena really turns things up a notch, from upgrading her studio and gear, to recording new string pieces with musicians of the Chicago New Millennium Orchestra, including Dominic Johnson, former violinist from the band Rachel's, also known for other similar hybrid collaborations with IDM / Electronica producers Plaid and Hip-Hop Turntableist Dj Spooky. Mixed by Rena in Justin Phelps' analogue studio (Dresent Dolls, Amanda Palmer, Mars Volta) and mastered by Thomas Dimuzio (Matmos, Tigerbeat 6) this is a release with no compromises, set to please even those with the most refined ears who appreciate the subtler frequencies of both beauty and sound. Reaching across the realms of Ambient | Downtempo | Glitch | IDM | Nu-gaze | Folktronica | Psychadelic and Classical, "Indra's Web" also sets the mood for the future sound of "Cartesian Binary Recordings" the newly born record label created and managed by Rena Jones. FAR AWAY IN THE HEAVENLY ABODE OF THE GREAT GOD INDRA, THERE IS A WONDERFUL NET WHICH HAS BEEN HUNG BY SOME CUNNING ARTIFICER IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IT STRETCHES OUT INDEFINITELY IN ALL DIRECTIONS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXTRAVAGANT TASTES OF DEITIES, THE ARTIFICER HAS HUNG A SINGLE GLITTERING JEWEL AT THE NET'S EVERY NODE, AND SINCE THE NET ITSELF IS INFINITE IN DIMENSION, THE JEWELS ARE INFINITE IN NUMBER. THERE HANG THE JEWELS, GLITTERING LIKE STARS OF THE FIRST MAGNITUDE, A WONDERFUL SIGHT TO BEHOLD. IF WE NOW ARBITRARILY SELECT ONE OF THESE JEWELS FOR INSPECTION AND LOOK CLOSELY AT IT, WE WILL DISCOVER THAT IN IT'S POLISHED SURFACE THERE ARE REFLECTED ALL THE OTHER JEWELS IN THE NET, INFINITE IN NUMBER. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT EACH OF THE JEWELS REFLECTED IN THIS ONE JEWEL IS ALSO REFLECTING ALL THE OTHER JEWELS, SO THAT THE PROCESS OF REFLECTION IS INFINITE... THE AVATAMSAKA SUTRA FRANCIS H. COOK: HUA-YEN BUDDHISM : THE JEWEL NET OF INDRA 1977.