An Ignorant Guide to Aphex Twin

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[@joeyfive5245]

Named after his dead infant brother, so he’s the Cornish Salvador Dali

[@Infy808]

And Vincent Van Gogh

[@VuotoPneumaNN]

Except Richard is not a fascist.

[@yeetman4953]

@@VuotoPneumaNN wait what?

[@VuotoPneumaNN]

​@@yeetman4953 Dalì was a fascist. It's a well known fact.

[@Juan-wo7zu]

And me

[@RedmarKerkhof]

One time, when I was a kid, I was watching TV when the video for Windowlicker came on and my mum was so disturbed that she told me to turn it off.

[@cdoginto]

welll did you?

[@RedmarKerkhof]

@@cdoginto Yes, her tone of voice sounded like I had done something wrong.

[@D1sc0rd-]

my dad had me watch the rubber johnny music vid when i was maybe 5

[@NeonLabsss]

@@D1sc0rd- is your dad a super villain what lol

[@D1sc0rd-]

@@NeonLabsss really don’t know what his aim was. I was just so concerned about the chihuahua’s wellbeing

[@shredderly]

Aphex really is the king of electronic music.

[@meeatworld]

The working man's EDM

[@jonathanjacquet4628]

@@meeatworldIDM

[@ynpavo]

I don‘t know a single song. Recommend me 3 I should listen to

[@shredderly]

@@ynpavo Windowlicker, come to daddy and alberto balsalm.

[@SaltyDerps]

You actually need a refined sense of music to embrace aphex twin, its very off-putting for the average fella

[@maybefaith23]

Fun fact: the person who bought that Caustic Window album after all the money was raised was the creator of Minecraft, Markus Perrson

[@deafviolinist]

found Richard D. James album at a used cd/ video haven that used to be down the road seven years ago, no cover just a raw copy of the milky disc. proof somebody in this town was cool

[@MrMobius010]

I would play selected ambient works when I was cooking in a remote alaska. Both coworkers and guests would often have a visceral reaction to it. One lady even called it freaky.

[@NerudoP-Clowes]

If you're new to this guy, you should 100% do a deep dive. He's crushed almost any style of electronic music you can think of, and also plays a pretty mean piano. Boundless creativity. And don't skip the "unreleased" stuff! A lot, if not most of it is online somewhere.

[@Murkycrock]

if you don't mind u got any video recommendations that talks in depth about the guy or web searches cuz I genuinely love how out of world Aphex twin music's sounds

[@JacobKennedy-hm5se]

@@Murkycrock”DEEP DISCOG DIVE : apex twin” by mic and snare is a great video covering lost of his projects

[@AhmedMalaki]

His piano pieces sounds like something Beethoven and Mozart struggle to creat

[@realbrightnights]

iirc aphex doesn't actually know how to play piano, he uses a special keyboard called disklavier that can play irl pianos through midi for his piano tracks

[@SamuelBlackMetalRider]

COME TO DADDY blew many teenagers away when it came out on TV, that video was something special. I don’t understand why he was disappointed / annoyed in its success because it seemed so purposeful, thought-out & extremely well-made/clever. Like made to become a hit outside of the electro community & garner metalhead fans

[@behelit1997]

Even Aphex Twin (RDJ) Himself said, if he hated Chris Cunningham's video, it would be because it fit the song so much.

[@videojuegos9379]

from what i remember, he made it as a mix of what he didn't like about metal. (its heat tho he was trippin)

[@ScopeOperaSam]

Maybe because the song was born within a dark side of himself he's trying to conceal from our realm of existence. It was a window into his soul he never wanted us to see through, but the winds of change and curiosity blew them open just enough for us to see and hear. And the fact that we liked it, terrifies him. Maybe, I don't know for sure, but it was fun to speculate.

[@Aisatsana1971]

@@ScopeOperaSamamazingly put and insightful. I appreciate your reply.

[@ScopeOperaSam]

@@Aisatsana1971 Thank you. ☺️

[@Hypnotically_Caucasian]

My uncle is one of Taylor's Swift's sound producers. He has no idea who Aphex Twin is. I told him that Taylor should try making goregrind. He hasn't spoken to me since.

[@ennayanne]

I'll take things that never happened for 100

[@bobsbigboy_]

taylor swift is obejectively bad music

[@misanthrophex]

@@bobsbigboy_ it's a product for teenage girls. It's normal, that's how it is, especially in a capitalist society. They feel connected and understood, they have a personality to worship. Humans, especially normies, absolutely must be in some sort of cult.

[@johnchedsey1306]

Benn Jordan did a video on the software Aphex Twin was using in the 90s and came to the conclusion that Richard James was a mad genius and exists in another plane of creativity.

[@ShinerCCC]

huh, there it is at the top of the recommendations for this video. The Flashbulb owns btw

[@JankyBruv]

He ain't wrong.

[@seanoreilly1832]

When I'm at my darkest (i have depression from time to time.. like us all😊).. I listen to selected Ambient works volume 2 whilst wearing headphones in the dark. It really fixes me up the next day.. don't know how or why but thank you Mr Twin.. Great vid bruh

[@bottlemanic]

Aphex is a geunius. Fully recommend checking all his side projects, caustic window, polygon window, afx, bradley strider and tuss etc

[@luxjunk2571]

Lime-Rick Ireland Cmon man

[@vinylarchaeologist]

Promises truth, stumbles after a minute.

[@bgggsht]

Also his initials have "DJ" in them 😮

[@Andown773]

one of the most important artists of all time

[@losfogo7149]

ready for 23 minutes of insanely fast cuts and spicy opinions

[@Diamond-n7l]

babe wake up new coolea just dropped

[@ScratchdHelp]

beat me to it

[@iMadeAPromise42]

Richard said in a mostly candid interview that he did indeed make and modify a lot of his own equipment, but he clarified that he didn't do it very well. He said the best thing he made was a sampler in college. Its primary feature was the ability to change the sample rate in realtime in both record and playback mode, but he said that it wasn't very useful because it generated too much noise. The extent of James' homebrew equipment was things like mixing consoles made on breadboards. Apart from that he primarily used commercially available synths, sequencers, and drum machines. In the mid-1990s he began working with Atari ST and Power Macintosh computers. I will say that Richard has more logical reasons for lying in interviews beyond just messing with people. He does not like the mainstream press, and he is one of those people who understands that the moment you open up to a mainstream publication, your fans will instantly put what you say under a microscope and judge you for it. The way Richard gets around this judgement is to put up a wall of bullshit so that when it does get judged, it doesn't matter because it's not true. Richard also values his and his family's privacy, and he is just a private person in general. When you're famous there are going to be people out there who will hate you. Rich doesn't want to put his or his family's safety at risk, so he largely avoids that mainstream attention. He is honest to those close to him, and that's really all that matters.

[@DJAutism1]

he would love reaktor

[@michaelanderson6104]

That was a great vid, thanks for all the detail. I've always quite enjoyed his music. I would love to see a similar deep dive into Venetian Snares. He isn't nearly as influential, but is also very prolific, releasing albums under many pseudonyms.

[@coolea]

I've touched on him briefly in my Ignorant Guide to Breakcore if you haven't seen it already.

[@michaelanderson6104]

@@coolea Oh rad. I haven't seen that one. I'll have a look. Thanks!

[@ennayanne]

aphex twin = iphone venetian snares = less known but more reliable samsung

[@thehairyclevage1645]

Your editing is tops mate

[@laurentmarcoux2144]

that aphexjak in the thumbnail almost looks good

[@Dragonoiide]

Always nice to discovers some strange anomalies of the music world with your video. I knew Aphex Twin just by name, i've never listen a song of him yet, will give it a shot by curiosity. Would be fun to see a video from you on Igorrr with your unique editing style

[@vico805]

Qkthr/bank lullaby/s1v8 brooklyn/1nocares/on

[@KevinoftheCosmos]

I found that spectrogram face after hearing there were images hidden in the album's audio and it terrified me.

[@walmorcarvalho2512]

One time Richard pulled a page from MF DOOM and sent a double to play on stage for him on a festival in Brasil. I think it was on the 2001 Free Jazz Festival, in Rio de Janeiro, and a photographer from a local newspaper discovered him playing the setwhile hiding under the stage while testing the flash of his camera.

[@fallenangelcrimson]

yo! RUBBER JOHNNY

[@enriquepastor3626]

Mf kept me scared all my childhood

[@behelit1997]

Rubber johnny!!!

[@chodnejabko3553]

I hope I'm not being too presumptuous when I say You sir have a distinct look of a gentleman who would know how a Camberwell Carrot is procured.

[@OfWhatsToCome]

Should do a deep dive on the artist Secede who did 2 beautiful albums 'Tryshasla' and 'When Can (w/Kettle)'

[@theactualTVB]

Aphex Twin would also be the pure definition of nounposting

[@orphyte]

damn, your editing is super tight... like there's a seemingly endless number of memetastic channels that use this kind of approach, to the point that it almost seems like the youtube standard for video production of 2024.. but somehow yours clearly stands out imo, everything is so smooth and seemless. hella impressive.. would like to pick da brain sir. what u using, premiere?

[@coolea]

Premiere and Photoshop primarily. I very occasionally use After Effects and Blender in specific circumstances.

[@orphyte]

@@coolea that's rad! curious to see one where you used after effects and/or blender!

[@fionnodubhuir1686]

The pronunciation of Limerick hurt

[@membarassing]

7:17 bro that's Bogdan 😭

[@UCal502]

I was going to say 😂

[@sophomorphia]

I don’t normally request videos but you’ve done Boards of Canada, you’ve done Aphex Twin, would you do Venetian Snares please?

[@vico805]

he hasn’t done boc yet

[@JankyBruv]

Gold star. Great vid. I'll be hoping for a ⬜pusher drop... . . .

[@victorlopezramos7782]

Bro this guy literally reconcepted the music techno

[@y2kona]

she aphex on my twin until i SAW ii(th)

[@vico805]

😂

[@Lims116]

The part where its mentioned he would headphones during class felt to real to me, literally i would always bring my audio technica headphones everyday when i transferred schools and would always put them on to do work in class cause no body really cares

[@crazymike9]

make a vid on squarepusher 🙏🙏

[@vico805]

that wound be sick! or boards of canada

[@JankyBruv]

I can't second this any harder.

[@xyanide1986]

Saw him play at Field Day 2023 with friends, we crossed borders for that one. Kinda shit sound and crowd, but damn that set was mind blowing.

[@vico805]

I wish I could see AFX one day it would be amazing no doubt!

[@mercoro]

15:10 holy based

[@joranversonnen4458]

For the love of god coolea please make a vid mentioning meshuggah😭🙏🙏🙏

[@SOBEKCrocodileGod]

Misread this as “please make a vid mentioning cheeseburger”

[@billbert7927]

I never knew coolea was such a hunk

[@ozziehackett663]

“Lime-Rick”

[@sumonedum]

I like his music the medium amount. I don't really agree with the "so original creative omg" reception because other artists especially in the noise genre did it first, but all art is remixing so it doesn't matter. Not my favorite in that genre, but not bad. I get he's important tho

[@TheDjpwn3]

Almost everything I know about electronic music I learned from this channel. Electronic music seems extremely strange

[@OptifexMusic]

Truly, one of the Aphex Twins of all time.

[@Alex-vm6ef]

Great video as usual

[@michaelpodlisk5481]

The only song I heard from him was Come To Daddy, the song was nice, but I was traumatized by the music video so yeah, good shit

[@NihilNovi]

dayum, It never dawned on me that its pronounced DrukQs.. its been my go to remedy after returning home from long teenage weekends without sleep

[@MP-cf9uv]

dunkey rubharb

[@vico805]

yes the remix is heavenly also

[@MP-cf9uv]

@@vico805 Yez

[@DragonGrafx-16]

You forgot the part when he just started dumping random tracks on Soundcloud.

[@vico805]

true 2015

[@lolka359]

I like the c418 hippie version

[@j.2512]

just wanted to let you know i added the sponsorblock segment myself so anyone can block your cringe AI slop advertising.

[@ennayanne]

but this ai tool is actually useful for creatives and not generative crap

[@peo9741]

​@@ennayanne from what he showed it sounds about as good as other shitty programs that automatically isolates instruments from music

[@ennayanne]

@@peo9741 Yeah it's a really difficult thing to do, but actually a really good use case for AI

[@peo9741]

@@ennayanne well yeah it would be if it actually sounded good, really this wouldnt even be an issue if more artists released stems

[@ennayanne]

@@peo9741 what sounds "good" is entirely dependant on context and perspective. Regardless, you'll never be able to completely isolate stems cleanly, but it's a job that AI is very well suited for compared to everything else techbros are milking it for

[@sinphy]

the way you pronounced limerick infuriated me

[@lolka359]

Dad... is it you?

[@sammortazavi-r7r]

This is awesome, one of the best vids about Aphex on youtube

[@sammortazavi-r7r]

I'll just blur out that ai ad from my memory

[@ennayanne]

​@@sammortazavi-r7rThe thing in the description? It's not generation, it's a tool for splitting stems, pretty useful for producers

[@JONNYTUBSTER]

Aphex the goat! Great video man!

[@M4rk._06]

idk who aphex twin is but i like the logo it reminds me of the half life logo

[@xyanide1986]

"hey dude nice half life shirt"

[@citrus_sweet]

His logo is the letter A. It makes more sense if you see the full version of it.

[@ronpudding9598]

Yeah they do look a bit similar. Although the Aphex Twin logo is just an abstracted A, made to look more "alien" according to the guy who designed it. The Half-Life logo is the Greek letter lambda.

[@strangechildw1010]

just a suggestion, what about making a video about the heavy metal performance in the opening of the Paris Olympics, and the controversy surrounding it (such as supposed satanic affiliations)

[@Microtonal_Cats]

I wonder if the "stillborn older brother" is even true. Elvis Presley was born as twins, and one died. Part of his myth.

[@vermilliondosentexistanymorx]

0:05 is that a reference of black hole sun music video

[@create-a-new-handle]

HE IS GOD, quotable* *SEE “Ugly Boy” - Die Antwoord

[@toadsuckbuck4111]

Another banger from Coolea, GREAT VIDEO! Your next one should be on Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the REAL inventor for Rock n Roll

[@sophiagrace_s]

How did I miss this two days after you posted??? GOTTA WATCH RN

[@dellh86]

Do Venetian Snares next plz

[@VuotoPneumaNN]

No

[@dellh86]

@@VuotoPneumaNN :(

[@Kodeb8]

Yes

[@dellh86]

@@Kodeb8 :)

[@Aisatsana1971]

Maybe

[@jacquesforet3156]

“Lime Rick” Ireland 😂

[@Ian.420]

Oh nice he my favorite. "Give me your hand my friend, I will lead you to the land of abundance, joy and happiness."

[@ReyVro]

Happy birthday james

[@6AlphaMikeCharlie9]

Dude, Please Don't Say Lime rick It's pronounced li·muh·ruhk.. Lime rick? thats hilarious

[@hiddentechno8266]

I was in a discussion with one of the owners of a music production education company and I had suggested Apex Twin as an artist many people would love to see so a tutorial video on some aspect of production. While it's obviously unlikely he would do it, if he did I think the demand for it would be pretty big. Same with Boards of Canada or Autechre. I think the reason the company owner has was that producers were unlikely to have the same gear. But its more about learning techniques then applying it to your own set up surely? Just noticed the sandpaper reference in the video, I think he just played it on a turntable, can't have done the needle much good.

[@SOBEKCrocodileGod]

I discovered Aphex Twin from reading “most disturbing music videos” list articles and forum discussions while browsing the internet on my PSP in like 2009 I was absolutely horrified at the descriptions for his videos and expected some horrifying music, but when I finally checked out the videos as an adult, I barely got disturbed cause I was just grooving to the music

[@X-101]

Selected Ambient Works wasn't £52 on released as i bought it at the time

[@pwnthemonkeys]

hi I'm one of the executive producers and this video is my favorite video in the citadel...until the next video drops

[@momsnothome2088]

Regardless….he scares the crap outta me

[@blutagg63]

I made my TikTok pfp the ICBYD cover, and gave my friend nightmares

[@spaghetti0356]

Sewerslvt (Negatively) mentioned!!!!

[@Infisrael]

You forgot to mention that Notch, the creator of Minecraft donated to the kickstarter.

[@SaltyDerps]

100% notch and C418 like Aphex Twin

[@ennayanne]

notch is also a nazi, who cares what he does

[@ronpudding9598]

@@SaltyDerps Yeah I think C418 has mentioned Aphex Twin being a big influence in interviews. You can definitely hear it in some of his music. For example his track 'Sweden' sounds very much like Aphex's French impressionist inspired piano pieces on the album 'Drukqs'.

[@supamarx5782]

I enjoyed this immensely and I hate everything. I also never knew that album is pronounced as Drug Use. I resign with immediate effect.

[@michaelmckeown5396]

"Lime-rick"

[@BababooeyGooey]

Shout out to musicians intentionally making "bad" music that becomes their most well known songs. Gotta be one of my favorite genders. Maybe next time don't make such fucking bangers if you want people to hate your music.

[@yeetman4953]

ah peoples need to be special

[@gypsydildopunks7083]

Was it like 1200 grit or like 60 grit?

[@cutekittypetter]

need that mvsep sponsor next

[@deboozombie23]

I think the Artists Igorrr (Gautier Serre) comes close to Richard D James talent

[@billy4301]

you should do the orb next

[@cacamou3275]

dude, real talk, how much weed do you smoke each day?

[@laceekniep2885]

Where did it say that 8 unreleased songs would be on the SAW ii reprint? I’ve only seen 3

[@InsectLover_3.14]

Can you make video about Lowercase music? This is awesome and weird world

[@lordtraxroy]

Aphex twin looks also like jesus or maybe he is jesus

[@daddyascii9040]

more like modern bach

[@DopeSmoker]

good stuff! 😀

[@crabbuckets7506]

Truth is he the best 🤘

[@weirdwalrus5757]

in lime rick 💀💀

[@ned_interrobang]

damn those ambient jungle making pdf's with purple hair and anime avatars

[@drown_n]

Go away bot Or if you’re a human, go away toddler you’re too young for the internet

[@spaghetti0356]

Man shakes fist at clouds

[@ohnoitsnotjoe]

Bro what was that Fantano photo 😭

[@TrizziEhgan]

21:21 how didn't you censor the link

[@gypsydildopunks7083]

Window licking Activated

[@ZBR_ProXP]

Greatest electronic artist of all time

[@Shaun.is.typing]

King Tubby’s son

[@dragonpizza8383]

Hey pookie can you do a video on gojira??? 🙏🙏🙏

[@blu3studd]

When did coolea do a face reveal?

[@finnneilan145]

Up limerick

[@7ChaosBlack]

Oh hey, it's bootleg Goniloc.

[@vico805]

that guy just does metal/rock though