GENERAL NEW RELEASE SPECULATION TOPIC

[sixtyniner]

When they made that claim (early 2000s?), Internet wasn't what it is nowadays, not even close. To me the claim of "Internet is evil" is one of the several hollow, cheap and vain claims they have given over the years. The claims that they come up with in order to seem special or make them look like outsiders to their gullible fanbase and naive interviewers. They use their website to claim "Internet is evil", ok, that is contradictory. They are supposed to like anonymity and at the same time the Internetz is full of pictures of them; each release comes with new pictures.

I like their music, but they don't need to give cheap and vain claims. I guess that they know that the conspiracy junk sells well among the apocalyptic and conspiranoic fanbase BoC has.

It is all junk they say to sell albums and a profile of "mistery". Geogaddy lasts for 66 minutes and 6 seconds. Ohhhhhhhh!
Well... they just stretched the minutes in the silent Magic Window song to make the whole album last 66:06.

With everything you literally just acknowledged about them genuinely being so sceptical about the effects that technology and urban living has, and how much it influences their work, as well as you literally wondering if they live life as luddites, you straight up now think the whole thing is just a cheap gimmick and they're just "trying to make themselves look like outsiders to their gullible fanbase"? What?

[Valotonin]

I tend to spend my time hate-using the internet, if that helps. It is possible.

[Echelon]

When they made that claim (early 2000s?), Internet wasn't what it is nowadays, not even close. To me the claim of "Internet is evil" is one of the several hollow, cheap and vain claims they have given over the years. The claims that they come up with in order to seem special or make them look like outsiders to their gullible fanbase and naive interviewers. They use their website to claim "Internet is evil", ok, that is contradictory. They are supposed to like anonymity and at the same time the Internetz is full of pictures of them; each release comes with new pictures.

I like their music, but they don't need to give cheap and vain claims. I guess that they know that the conspiracy junk sells well among the apocalyptic and conspiranoic fanbase BoC has.

It's an interesting perspective seeing all this lore as a marketing gimmick. They're certainly not the first band to do the mystery angle. The Residents had turned the whole anonymity and secretive thing into an art form while BOC were still in diapers.

I feel like The Residents, there is some truth to their actions but mixed in with some theatrics. I feel people just take BOC's mystifications more seriously than the Residents because they aren't wearing giant eyeball heads with top hats.

[The Spaniard]

With everything you literally just acknowledged about them genuinely being so sceptical about the effects that technology and urban living has, and how much it influences their work, as well as you literally wondering if they live life as luddites, you straight up now think the whole thing is just a cheap gimmick and they're just "trying to make themselves look like outsiders to their gullible fanbase"? What?

No. I am trying to say that there is a distinction between Mike and Markus, and the BoC aesthetic. Mike and Marcus like the contryside and they are outdoorsy, but they use the Internet, have phones, Netflix and anything a regular person has and does.

In order to sell you an album, they absorb trends, theories and thoughts they are somewhat interested in, and market you an album that is fully packaged with it.

They use these trends as a marketing tool so that the fanbase and critics talk and wonder. But they are just two brothers making music. The problem is that they have created a fanbase that believes in these conspiracy theories and try to make sense of every sample they put in an album, when they just did it for fun, to give an interesting theme to an album that will help with sales.

As a consequence, when we try to compare what BoC says and what The Bros do, it looks kind of contradictory.

[The Spaniard]

When they made that claim (early 2000s?), Internet wasn't what it is nowadays, not even close. To me the claim of "Internet is evil" is one of the several hollow, cheap and vain claims they have given over the years. The claims that they come up with in order to seem special or make them look like outsiders to their gullible fanbase and naive interviewers. They use their website to claim "Internet is evil", ok, that is contradictory. They are supposed to like anonymity and at the same time the Internetz is full of pictures of them; each release comes with new pictures.

I like their music, but they don't need to give cheap and vain claims. I guess that they know that the conspiracy junk sells well among the apocalyptic and conspiranoic fanbase BoC has.

It's an interesting perspective seeing all this lore as a marketing gimmick. They're certainly not the first band to do the mystery angle. The Residents had turned the whole anonymity and secretive thing into an art form while BOC were still in diapers.

I feel like The Residents, there is some truth to their actions but mixed in with some theatrics. I feel people just take BOC's mystifications more seriously than the Residents because they aren't wearing giant eyeball heads with top hats.

Haha, that is a good point. Also, when I think of somebody that wants to be somewhat unknown despite being popular I think of the artist Burial. He remained anonymous for a long time despite his work becoming highly influential and recognizable. I think there are only one or two official pictures of him on the Internet. A few more were released by somebody else.
BoC though, how many official pictures do we have on the Internet? Tons!

[sixtyniner]

No. I am trying to say that there is a distinction between Mike and Markus, and the BoC aesthetic. Mike and Marcus like the contryside and they are outdoorsy, but they use the Internet, have phones, Netflix and anything a regular person has and does.

In order to sell you an album, they absorb trends, theories and thoughts they are somewhat interested in, and market you an album that is fully packaged with it.

They use these trends as a marketing tool so that the fanbase and critics talk and wonder. But they are just two brothers making music. The problem is that they have created a fanbase that believes in these conspiracy theories and try to make sense of every sample they put in an album, when they just did it for fun, to give an interesting theme to an album that will help with sales.

You think way too lowly of them honestly if you think they're willing to give up their artistic integrity like that just to boost sales when it could just as easily be a passion project. I mean for god's sake Amo Bishop Roden herself says that they literally met with her and stayed at the compound for a few days.

[Echelon]

You think way too lowly of them honestly if you think they're willing to give up their artistic integrity like that just to boost sales when it could just as easily be a passion project. I mean for god's sake Amo Bishop Roden herself says that they literally met with her and stayed at the compound for a few days.

Lately though, there are a few examples of non-artistic integrity from them. The limited print poster from Bleep that some dude in Japan is now selling for (I kid you not) 1969$, selling Dayvan Cowboy to some car commercial and now the BBC sessions with XYZ (making BOC completionists like me spend $25 for one song.)

However, I understand why they do it. Everybody gotta eat

[Echelon]

No. I am trying to say that there is a distinction between Mike and Markus, and the BoC aesthetic. Mike and Marcus like the contryside and they are outdoorsy, but they use the Internet, have phones, Netflix and anything a regular person has and does.

In order to sell you an album, they absorb trends, theories and thoughts they are somewhat interested in, and market you an album that is fully packaged with it.

They use these trends as a marketing tool so that the fanbase and critics talk and wonder. But they are just two brothers making music. The problem is that they have created a fanbase that believes in these conspiracy theories and try to make sense of every sample they put in an album, when they just did it for fun, to give an interesting theme to an album that will help with sales.

As a consequence, when we try to compare what BoC says and what The Bros do, it looks kind of contradictory.

For the record, they have a friend on reddit who plays Fortnite with Marcus.

I honestly feel that BOC might be avoiding their fanbase since TH turned a lot of people into numerology conspiracy nuts (hey, even i was thinking TH predicted the future during this pandemic) and they want no part in it. *insert the Spy Kids Villain meme*

[The Spaniard]

You think way too lowly of them honestly if you think they're willing to give up their artistic integrity like that just to boost sales when it could just as easily be a passion project. I mean for god's sake Amo Bishop Roden herself says that they literally met with her and stayed at the compound for a few days.

They are extremely good at what they do, and they work very hard on their art, and when they work on music, they are devoted to it, that is why they have a whole forum dedicated to them, that has been active for years even in times when there is not much to talk about.

Regarding artistic integrity, one thing is the work of art (BoC, the albums and what they transmit) and another thing is the artist.
In this case, the artist (The Bros) don't necessarily need to follow what their art transmit. Some groups have an identity or aesthetic and the members of the band don't always follow that identity. Also, BoC's aesthetic has changed over the years, and this fact takes us back to the same idea: each album is inspired by certain ideas that have nothing to do with the band.
They read about X and Y and they come up with an album inspired by X and Y. They read about the Branch Davidians and they came up with an amazing EP influenced by cults and "religious communities" that sold well.

I always try to take what they say with a pinch of salt. I really don't think they agree with the statement of Internet being evil. Yes, there are bad things about it, but come on...

[Juggle]

They sure are unique lads...

[NorthernPlastics]

I think it's not often enough that people remember that BoC is a project that got out of hands. I think it would be foolish to say that the brothers have just been doing absolutely nothing for decades on end except when they need to crank out a new Boards record. It is not a stretch to say that they are likely always working on music, but that it is probably not nearly as often as you would like that the music happens to be Boards of Canada music. That's my take on the situation. Again, BoC is just a project, not a way of life. I would agree that it would be ridiculous to assume they are just holed up in Scotland doing nothing for decades. You know they have kids and families, right? Living in total seclusion is not conducive to the best family situation. They aren't too crazy, and I would bet that BoC is just their outlet to get all of the occasional negative thoughts and cynicism out in a healthy manner.

[Gazebo4]

They said so themselves that they think a lot of fans take everything they communicate WAY too seriously, be it interviews, hidden samples, themes, etc. Their social media comms is certainly another good example. It's just them toying with ideas, opinions and what's on their minds and then recording it, so yes take it with a pinch of salt and just enjoy the f**** music.

I mean, look at this thread. No offense but if you look at it from third person view it's a lot of blathering about theories, assumptions, and about what actually? It's not really going anywhere. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying there shouldn't be any theories, assumptions, etc. Just don't forget it's not really all that important or serious in any way.

Ultimately music is just an art form for escapism, enjoyment, to channel emotions and/or to express oneself.

[Sl Flk]

I've been wondering for years now if the Boards of Canada project is finished now. I wonder if they are releasing other music as either individuals or together, from scratch, with no support other than what the budding new artist would have at hand. It's obvious their love of music is greater than their love of success, otherwise they'd be doing sellout tours like other warp artists. It is very possible they have excellent music sitting out there that has about 3 listens on soundcloud. I think they would just love the challenge of that.

[sixtyniner]

Lately though, there are a few examples of non-artistic integrity from them. The limited print poster from Bleep that some dude in Japan is now selling for (I kid you not) 1969$, selling Dayvan Cowboy to some car commercial and now the BBC sessions with XYZ (making BOC completionists like me spend $25 for one song.)

However, I understand why they do it. Everybody gotta eat

Do you actually think that selling promotional posters and occasionally making royalties is in the same world as literally constructing themes they don't truly have passion for just to rinse their fans for money? All of what you mention is managed by their record label, it's on a completely different level and has absolutely nothing to do with their actual artistic output as The Spaniard is saying. I mean, do you actually think that they just withheld XYZ to re-release it later for more money?

[Gazebo4]

Lately though, there are a few examples of non-artistic integrity from them. The limited print poster from Bleep that some dude in Japan is now selling for (I kid you not) 1969$, selling Dayvan Cowboy to some car commercial and now the BBC sessions with XYZ (making BOC completionists like me spend $25 for one song.)

However, I understand why they do it. Everybody gotta eat

Do you actually think that selling promotional posters and occasionally making royalties is in the same world as literally constructing themes they don't truly have passion for just to rinse their fans for money? All of what you mention is managed by their record label, it's on a completely different level and has absolutely nothing to do with their actual artistic output as The Spaniard is saying. I mean, do you actually think that they just withheld XYZ to re-release it later for more money?

This.

Also, even if they were the ones behind it they would still preserve their integrity, because they did not create the art itself for profit in the first place. When an opportunity arises to actually make some money out of it later on has nothing to do with that.

It's not like "hey we really need some money, let's create some art and make it sell it to the masses"? They just create what they want and when they want and thank god they don't listen to the wishes of their fans. Fuck all that.

[sixtyniner]

In this case, the artist (The Bros) don't necessarily need to follow what their art transmit.

Not everything they include is a sincere endorsement, and I'm fully aware of that. I really doubt they believe in chemtrails or FEMA camps, but I have major contentions with the cynical idea that these samples are included just to boost sales instead of it being a flirtation/playing with dark conspiratorial themes in their music as a form of artistic expression. They find David Koresh crazy, but to say they don't actually care for or appreciate his ideas and just used him as the means to boosting sales is ridiculous.

Some groups have an identity or aesthetic and the members of the band don't always follow that identity. Also, BoC's aesthetic has changed over the years, and this fact takes us back to the same idea: each album is inspired by certain ideas that have nothing to do with the band.
They read about X and Y and they come up with an album inspired by X and Y. They read about the Branch Davidians and they came up with an amazing EP influenced by cults and "religious communities" that sold well.

This isn't proof of anything except that they like variance in their themes and don't want to express the same theme each album. As I say, I agree that not everything they put in is some endorsement, but you're completely ignoring the inherent meaning and purpose behind some of what they produce, how much of it is effected by their own beliefs and passions, and instead saying rather cynically it's just the means to the end of making more sales.

I always try to take what they say with a pinch of salt. I really don't think they agree with the statement of Internet being evil. Yes, there are bad things about it, but come on...

It's probably a bit hyperbolic and tongue in cheek when they use the word "evil", but I don't actually know how you can just think it's a gimmick or part of an insincere aesthetic when you read into their interviews and see that they actually view technology in a certain way. And as I was saying, these kind of personal ideas do absolutely influence their music, and is part of the reason why I think they gravitated towards certain themes, for example the Branch Davidians.

Marcus: The theme of that EP was the idea that you can try to have an idealistic way of life out in the country, but only on the condition that the authorities approve it. The Branch Davidians were just an illustration for a bigger issue. Disregarding the fact that David Koresh’s beliefs were maybe crazy, that whole incident was a brutal reminder that we’re all basically toeing the line.

What you are saying is that not only are their themes the means to the end of making more money instead of genuine sincere artistic expression, they are lying through their teeth when they talk in interviews about their personal ideas and viewpoints, which is a cynical viewpoint.

[Echelon]

I really do think they approved all of that stuff I mentioned because they needed some money. However, I believe they approved that stuff because they didn't want to make money by selling out musically instead.

Sorry, I think I misused the term artistic integrity in my earlier post, since they do still have it. Musically they're not teaming up with Cardi B and producing a top 40 hip-hop album. They just are benefitting from the record company commercializing their art.

[Soul_Slip]

If you compare other artists that do monetize heavily... and those that do not... Tool being an example, they are really pretty quiet. I have worked with labels and distribution of merchandise and can say man some are all about that and they come up with too many stupid products... others that were cherished but had little music output... the record company would try to monetize some of it themselves such as pressing new record copies to keep people talking and to keep people interested in those particular artists... i see it more as “in the meantime” remember this

[♄ope keeper]

Interesting discussion here... I think the thing with the fans is somewhere in the middle... as you said, after Geogaddi BOC said there was too much analyzing of numbers (leading up to satanism) etc. rather than just enjoying complex unique music as it is... then there was Campfire Headphase, which was just like "f.k everything, relax and just travel through mind and time"... so I think yes, they said they think their fans are savvy cool people that understand some deeper meaning but also some sort of wit, humor in their music, while not taking things literally, still focusing on music and sounds above everything else, just as "don't go too deep into stuff around it"...

Regarding their other work, from what I know from official sources they are sound/music producers so obviously they do some sound work of their unique sound style building up over the years for other bands, I mean singles/albums not just remixes, I think it could started around 2010 or 2013... so this would be their "full-time job" probably (with slowly but properly cooking some new BOC stuff meanwhile in the background... )

So I'd say - stay calm because they have many hidden stuff that can be released any day, that's one difference from other bands, second - if there's something out, it will be (and must be) another original gem sounding like nothing before...

[Valotonin]

Bocmerch Me