Drone music an acquired taste, says enthusiast

Organizer Brendan Lehman explains drone music is “sustained sounds” with fluctuating tones, usually produced with a combination of electronics and musical instruments.

“It doesn't really have a rhythm, persay,” said the Laurentian University graduate student.

He said his favourite drone music artists include musician Tim Hecker and the group Shearing Pinx, both from Canada.

Lehman, who dabbles in mixing drone music himself, said he writes for the website, Weird Canada, which promotes “underground and do-it-yourself music” such as drone music.

Weird Canada decided to hold a nation-wide tribute to drone music next month, and Lehman stepped up to co-ordinate the local effort.

He said local musicians will be set up at the Speakeasy starting at 4 p.m. May 10, and will try their hand at playing drone music.

Participants in the free event are welcome to bring “noising” machines with them to contribute to the drone.

“I just thought it would be something cool,” Lehman said. “People can get out of the house and try something new.”

All of the drone music played at events across the country that day will be mixed together, and broadcast on Weird Canada “to make a national noise.”

This “noise,” as Lehman puts it, will also be broadcast on Laurentian's campus radio station, CKLU 96.7, at around 8 p.m. May 10.

“Hopefully it doesn't cause some car accidents, with the noise on people's radios,” Lehman said.

Not everyone shares his appreciation of drone music, he admits.

“It goes over people's heads a lot,” Lehman said. “They don't understand. You have to sit and study it a little to understand the musicality of it.”

For more information about the event, search for National Drone Day // Sudbury on Facebook.