Composer Brian Eno, renowned for his collaborations with U2 and David Bowie, crafted the iconic Windows 95 startup sound. Microsoft’s directive to Eno was peculiar: create a piece that is inspiring, universal, futuristic, sentimental, emotional, and precisely 3.25 seconds long. Undeterred, Eno produced 84 versions of the sound, comparing the process to crafting a tiny jewel. Microsoft compensated him $35,000 for a sound likely heard by hundreds of millions.
Interestingly, the Windows 95 sound served a dual purpose for Eno—it shattered a creative block he faced in his main music projects. Delving into the world of micro-music, the experience sensitized him to microseconds and liberated his artistic flow. He expressed how, upon returning to longer compositions, three minutes felt like an ocean of time.
In a separate venture, David Bowie demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to technology. In 1996, he released an online-only single with an interactive messaging service. Furthermore, Bowie pioneered Bowienet in 1999, one of the earliest instances of an artist using the internet as a direct-to-consumer platform, offering exclusive content, an online community, and an e-commerce store. Bowie’s financial innovation came in 1997 with Bowie Bonds, utilizing future album sales as collateral for revenue bonds, a groundbreaking move influencing subsequent generations of artists.
Brian Eno, often associated with rock’s intelligentsia, has a history of pushing boundaries. In a Q&A, he discussed his generative music concept, linking it to his Windows 95 endeavor. Eno, known for coining the term “ambient music,” values collaboration within systems, as seen in his “Oblique Strategies” flash cards. His contribution to popular music lies in removing the myth of individual genius, emphasizing collaboration and constraints.
Eno’s influence extends beyond music into visual arts. His recent collaboration, “High Life,” with Karl Hyde of Underworld, underscores his collaborative ethos. Eno’s journey from experimental tape recorder use to influencing major bands reflects a career driven by negative ambition and a disdain for traditional artistic constraints.
Brian Eno’s impact on the music landscape, marked by innovation and collaboration, remains a testament to his ability to navigate and shape the ever-evolving intersection of art and technology.
Subscribe to our email newsletter to get the latest posts delivered right to your email.