Dronegospel is not merely a genre; it is a philosophical statement, a modality of transcendence through the machinery of our times. If the gospel represents the human longing for the divine, then drones represent the pinnacle of human technological achievement. By combining the two, The Stoss questions the dichotomy of human progress: are we ascending towards divinity, or are we falling into the abyss of our own creation?
The Interview: Dieter Adam and Martijn Benders on Dronegospel
Interviewer: Dieter, Martijn, thank you for joining us. What sparked the inception of Dronegospel?
Dieter Adam: Thank you. Dronegospel came from a contemplation on modernity’s discontents. We looked at these machines, drones, as symbols of our era – omnipresent yet often unnoticed, like a new pantheon of gods watching over us.
Martijn Benders: Indeed. We wanted to capture that omnipresence and turn it into something ethereal. The idea was to transmute the drones’ hum into a new kind of hymn, a Gospel according to the Machine.
Interviewer: There’s an inherent irony in using drones, given their associations. Was this deliberate?
Martijn Benders: Absolutely. It’s an artistic contrast – the drone, a symbol of secular power, now repurposed to create a space for spiritual reflection. It’s about reclaiming technology for the soul.
Dieter Adam: In a sense, it’s a redemption of the drone, an absolution through art.
Interviewer: How do you envision the role of Dronegospel in the contemporary music landscape?
Dieter Adam: Dronegospel is an antithesis to the disposable culture of contemporary music. It doesn’t fit comfortably into playlists or radio slots. It’s designed to disrupt, to make the listener pause and contemplate.
Martijn Benders: It’s a genre that requires and fosters a deep listening experience. It’s meditative, yet it confronts. It’s not background music; it’s a philosophical exploration.
Interviewer: What does Dronegospel say about the future of music and spirituality?
Martijn Benders: It suggests that the future of music is not a linear progression but a web of possibilities. It reminds us that spirituality can adapt, embracing even the cold buzz of a drone.
Dieter Adam: And it proposes a future where technology and spirituality are not at odds but are in conversation. Dronegospel is a small step towards a larger synthesis.