Bounce House

I came across Bounce House's latest release just a few days ago. An accidental discovery it was, however, it was not something that I shall ever regret. Coming across it cheered me up, and with space ambient their game and with little information surrounding the project online, I got a some information out of them in this little chat session.

Well, there's hardly any information about you guys anywhere other than small little tidbits here and there, so, why don't we start off with a bit of an introduction with yourselves.

Bounce House - "There are two people involved in this project, our names are Alan and Bratton. We have mostly individual efforts. For instance, Infinity was made entirely by Me (Bratton), and our next release will be made entirely by Alan. But we often contribute to small parts of each others projects. However, eventually, we plan on making an entire project together."

And let's next get onto the topic of the origins of the project. Whose idea was it to start this project up? And when did the idea truly come to fruition?

Bounce House - "Earlier this year, Alan was messing around with making some ambient sounds with some things he had recorded at his college campus, sometimes just him walking, or recordings of the nature around the area, and we tried to make some stuff together, since we both have a little bit of musical talent. Initially it started off as Alan making something which would help him fall asleep, but eventually it progressed into making more droning/soundscape type things, much like our last 3 or 4 releases."

I have yet to explore all your releases, but I have both listened to and reviewed ∞. It seems as if you guys are excellent with ambient sounds, but there was some experimental sounds on the last track, (∞). Did you know from the get go what genre you would be settling into?

Bounce House - "Not at all, once you listen to the rest of our stuff that will be very clear, we experimented with a lot of different ways of creating music. For instance, on one of our earlier releases, "contact" we tried creating an ambient, droning sound with drums and guitar along with the usual sampling we've incorporated on our releases. Along with "a dream" where we were experimenting with field recordings."

As of right now, most of your music is available for free via Bandcamp, or at the low cost of just a dollar. Why so generous in releasing your music? Is it just to get your name out there, or do you really just want people to enjoy the sounds you put out without having to give out so much money?

Bounce House - "We want people to hear it, we enjoy the satisfaction of people listening to it, much less enjoying it."

And, in all honesty, what are your overall goals for this project? Is it just to make music that you are proud of? Do the opinions of others, be they positive or negative, ever factor into the music you put out?

Bounce House - "We wish for people to take what they want from the music, it is similar to reading a book, it's mostly in the end about your own perception of the story portrayed.

As far as goals, we plan on continuing at least releasing something once a month, be it just one song, or an EP, or an album. We really enjoy any feedback at all, we take constructive criticism very seriously; We take criticism which can improve us."

And, now, let's talk about your latest release, ∞. The first question I have to ask you is this: Where did you guys get your samples from? Where the men were talking amongst themselves? They fit very nicely within the songs.

Bounce House - "Just exploring the internet, old films, old radio broadcasts. Things like that which are in some ways forced to play a role in the context of the album."

Each song goes along with the whole space ambient vibe; I really felt as if they could have been used in a cinematic score somehow. Where did you draw influence to get these tracks up and going?

Bounce House - "It can vary anywhere between maybe some other music we had listened to, or even sometimes just how we feel at the time of making it."

Now, not to bring up the last track again, but it just seemed like the oddball of the group. Why was this one included on the album, and why was it made so different?

Bounce House - "The whole album, much like our other releases, is very cinematic. It is supposed to induce images in your mind, or make you apply imagery in your head. Outside of the context of the album, it may have a different sound, but it is meant to carry along the story being portrayed. In this case, the last track was supposed to be more or less the aftermath of everything that went on."

As of right now, are you guys looking for a label, or are you really just trying to self release everything on your own?

Bounce House - "We aren't looking a label, however, we are planning in the future to have vinyl or CD releases."

And, what are the future plans for the project? You've been having releases steadily come out; do you have more material releasing anytime soon?

Bounce House - "We have an hour of music being released on January first which has been in the works for quite some time. And after that we are doing an entire project together, a solid collaboration, which will be out sometime during 2015."

Is there anything else you wish to announce or say at this moment in time?

Bounce House - "We would like to thank you for interviewing us and reviewing our music, it really means a lot and definitely motivates us to continue doing what we do. We have lots of plans for the future."