Thomas Phillips, Dean King

The product of a definite convergence of ideas as well as my own nascent french, the title Á Travers le Bord can be interpreted as both a ‘crossing through’ a material edge or border and a liminal move from exterior to interior, or vice versa, in terms of, for example, flesh, or more generally, selfhood. A happy accident. Though I would never presume to attribute any central meaning to music, such border crossings are a constant in my life and most likely inform my composition process as it unfolds in front of the laptop, moving or being still, listening, inside or out. It’s a delightful paradox, the ongoing flux that finds its faithful correlate in the pull towards a relative silence and calm. Also delightful was my good friend and collaborator Dean King’s willingness to contribute sound material for this piece, in addition to a much needed critical ear. After a few limited edition cd-r releases as Eto Ami, we were due a joint project. Many of these sounds I processed further and set about composing – a long and sometimes arduous course that prompted its own numerous excursions through borders. Most importantly, however, I was reminded of the pleasures of camaraderie, even at a distance.

Tomas Phillips