There is no shortage of songs about flowers, but few actually let the flowers themselves do the singing. Now, thanks to advances in genome sequencing and data mapping, we can, as it were, hand them the mic and hear their side of the story. With a little help from experimental composer and orchid whisperer, Juraj Kojš, brings their inner world to life, revealing its musical potential. You have heard the sonified data of black holes, gravitational waves, weather, and the stock market. Now make way for the precocious hothouse lovelies of the orchid family.

Plants are dynamic communicators. We interact with each other through care and nourishment, participating in each other’s life cycles. Orchids manifest a particular affinity for artistic and aesthetic expression and their presence has been captured throughout the human history.

This album documents three modules of Kojš’s Orchid Music project that investigates the relationship between people, orchids and technologies through experimental art and music practices. In particular, sonification of orchid DNA provides the creative framework for music of Florida Native Orchid DNA Sonified, The Orchid Quartet and Florida Native Orchid DNA Synthesizer and Sequencer. The focus is on highlighting the Florida native orchid species through music, although some other orchids make an appearance in The Orchid Quartet.

The DNA was mapped to sound sources such as custom-designed synthesizers and drum machines, as well as samples of typewriter, woodblock, nuts and seeds, clay pots, water dripping, flute samples by Margaret Lancaster, Javanese gamelan and voices. These source materials, however, passed through the composer’s transformational hands, rendering a fantastical palette of abstract electronic music sonorities.

Therefore, while inspired by the orchid flowers and plants, it should be noted that the focus of exploration is on developing musical structures with the DNA documents themselves. Focusing on the DNA sonifications provided an audible level of separation from these living organisms. Decoupling sonic properties from the visual images of orchids enabled some intricate music making. Continuously grooving, the music takes you on a trip to a radical club bursting in a spectrum of dance and ambient delights. Prepare to move as you listen.

Says Kojš, “Living in South Florida affords observing, exploring, and growing fauna not present anywhere else in the continental US. The striking character of Florida native orchid species tickled my artphibian imagination and motivated the Orchid Music project.”