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THE CLUB — You make think the phrase “acoustic techno” is an oxymoron, but two dudes making music with buckets and PVC pipe will prove you wrong.
The word “techno” usually conjures up images of all electronic music and too-loud levels blaring as sweaty packs of people dance it out in a darkened dance club. There’s nothing acoustic or instrument-based about it.
But let me direct your attention to this video to see if I can change your mind. More to the point, two street performers that go by the names Pipe Guy and Techno Hobo will change your mind.
These performers usually play solo at the Rundle Mall in Adelaide, Australia, but they decided to combine forces for a mixed style they actually call “technojunk.” According to the video description, they began their jam with no preparation to create this intriguing style.
Playing on the left, Techno Hobo uses a “vast range of junk” to create his sound. On the right, Pipe Guy uses the national shoe of Australia (flip-flops) to play “acoustic bass synth” on an intricate PVC pipe instrument he built himself. With their powers combined, they truly get an electronic sound without a stitch of electronics.
It’s true, neither of these men are unique in their choice of performance instruments, but they certainly bring enough to the party to make an intriguing and entertaining sound. Good on ya, mates.
