Line is pleased to announce the upcoming release of a elegant new sound work by Australian artist Lawrence English, inspired by John Cage.In 2011, anticipating John Cage’s centenary, I began thinking about how to approach a work that might act as a homage to the aspects of his life and work that have inspired me over the past two decades (ironically, those in which he has been physical absent, but philosophically more present than ever). John Cage, with that beaming smile and trademarked casualness with which he operated his revelatory genius, has consistently acted as a touch stone for me; his life’s interests underscoring the way in which music, space, humour and philosophy connect (and also break apart).

I wanted to find a work that offered an openness (particularly in a sonic sense), something that might invite a new perspective of exploration into Cage’s ideas and interests. It was during this search that I found myself drawn to one of Cage’s less celebrated works—his film for solo light performer One11. Joining with video artist Scott Morrison we “restaged” the film, developing a new score for single light source devised from a range of Cagian approaches. The resulting piece was called One11 (refocused).

Part way through the process of composing music for One11 (refocused), it became clear that a body of sound work was forming (beyond the music created for the One11 (refocused) soundtrack) that drew heavily on some of Cage’s passions—specifically his interests in Zen Buddhism (and the space for contemplation this philosophy opens) and also that of chance operations.

Each of the pieces presented in this edition bare John Cage’s influence —some direct, others less so. The title of the edition reflects the sources from which the music was created—specifically from the One11 (refocused) project (For John Cage) and other pieces, created entirely by chance during one recording session (Not For John Cage).

For me, this edition is a humble tip of the hat to a mind that has sought to sow many a seed amongst us all. It’s now for us to water those seeds and tend the soil in which they sit. This is but one drop of that water. —Lawrence English