Illustrious

Featuring: Martyn Ware, Charles Stooke

Illustrious Company presents... Mesmerine 111. This is a 3D soundscape based on / inspired by the frequency 111Hz, which has been historically and scientifically proven to induce a trance-like state. Findings of MRI scans suggest that at exactly 111hz, the brain switches off the prefrontal cortex, deactivating the language centre, and temporarily switches from left to right-sided dominance, which is responsible for intuition, creativity, holistic processing, inducing a state of meditation or a trance. 

These findings have been confirmed by archeo-acousticians in studies regarding ancient and Neolithic shamanistic burial rituals around the world. The title is a take on the use of sound as pharmacology (Mesmerine is the name of an imaginary drug). The soundscape of the ambient Dose 1 is 50 minutes in duration - long enough to induce a true trance-like state. Dose 2 continues with a calming and unctuous vocal mix performed by Charles Stooke. Bringing to mind HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey), the sound is simultaneously reassuring and disquieting. 

The world premiere of the 3D sound composition was at the Focus Art Fair in New York, Spring 2025. Safe when used as directed. Recommended optimal dosage: 30-60 minutes at <70dB, delivered by Illustrious Labs 3D AudioScape system or binaural through your own headphones.