midierror Meets - Martyn Ware - Heaven 17 & Human League Founder - Series 2 Episode 04
Mar 28, 2025
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Martyn Ware, founder of Heaven 17 and The Human League, shares his vast experiences in music and technology. He discusses his journey into teaching sound and creativity, emphasizing mentorship's importance. Martyn explores the nostalgia of vintage instruments, his affordable music gear passions, and frustrations with the lack of innovation in virtual synthesizers. He highlights the transformative power of art in challenging environments and the evolution of immersive sound experiences through his company, Illustrious. A rich conversation about creativity, legacy, and the future of music!
Martyn Ware emphasizes the timeless appeal of analog synthesizers, showcasing their unique emotional impact compared to modern digital instruments during performances.
His mentorship approach at Tile Yard Education prioritizes hands-on creativity, fostering meaningful connections with students over theoretical teaching amid administrative challenges.
Ware's commitment to sound therapy explores innovative installations aimed at enhancing mental states, merging art and science for therapeutic benefits in health and wellness contexts.
Deep dives
Martin Ware's Musical Background and Teaching Experience
Martin Ware, the founder of influential bands like Human League and Heaven 17, discusses his background and current projects. Residing in Marylebone, London, he operates from his studio at Tile Yard, a hub for many musicians. His previous experience as principal of Tile Yard Education allowed him to design a course focused on producing and songwriting, wherein he found joy mentoring students despite the administrative burdens. The mentorship model enabled him to connect more intimately with a smaller group, fostering hands-on creativity instead of sticking strictly to theoretical teaching.
The Evolution and Importance of Analog Synthesizers
Ware elaborates on his studio setup, which includes his cherished analog synthesizers, the Roland System 100 and Korg 700S, that he frequently incorporates into his music. He emphasizes the unique sound quality of these vintage machines compared to modern digital synthesizers, highlighting the emotional impact they have during live performances. His observation during gigs shows how the analog sound captivates audiences, evoking a stark contrast to the digital counterparts that, despite their advanced technology, often lack character. This reflects his belief in the timeless nature of analog sound and its irreplaceability in music production.
The Role of Sound in Societal Wellbeing
Ware shares his commitment to enhancing urban soundscapes through his work with the Noise Abatement Society, resulting in positive sound experiments aiming to improve social behavior in noisy environments. One notable project took place in Brighton, where sonic interventions contributed to a significant reduction in nighttime disturbances, demonstrating the power of thoughtfully curated sound in public spaces. Collaborating with behavioral scientists, the initiative showcased how ambient music and contextual sound could shift social dynamics, thus paving the way for future projects focused on acoustic wellbeing. This highlights Ware's belief in the transformative potential of sound and music in everyday life.
Balancing Creativity and Commercial Success
Discussing the often dichotomous relationship between artistic integrity and commercial demands, Ware reflects on his perspective toward music-making's current landscape. He advises emerging artists to focus on authentic expression rather than chasing commercial viability, asserting that true artistic innovation stems from genuine exploration rather than emulating trends. This mindset encourages resilience in the face of industry pressures, which often promote homogeneity in musical outputs. Ware's emphasis on the importance of maintaining a unique voice and viewpoint resonates as vital advice for aspiring musicians navigating today's competitive market.
Innovative Approaches to Sound and Music Therapy
Ware wraps up by discussing his latest ventures into sound therapy, including innovative installations that utilize specific sound frequencies for therapeutic purposes. He highlights a project focused on a frequency scientifically linked to enhancing mental states, which aims to blend art with wellness, creating profound auditory experiences. By merging art, sound, and science, Ware is exploring uncharted territory that could redefine how music can be used in health and healing contexts. His ongoing commitment to pushing boundaries showcases a dedication not only to personal artistic growth but also to contributing positively to society through sound.
The midierror meets... interview series is back with Sonicstate, speaking to all kinds of people working in music and sound.
On this episode, we're speaking to MARTYN WARE of Heaven 17, The Human League and BEF fame! In his multi-million selling career, Martyn has worked on all kinds of musical projects all over the world, including those mentioned above, as well as with Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, Sananda Maitreya (Terence Trent D'Arby) and so many more.
He formed Illustrious, an immersive soundscape company with Vince Clarke just after the millennium, and he now runs a popular podcast entitled 'Electronically Yours' which is worth checking out - and shares its title with his Autobiography! His latest immersive experience is 'It’s Always Ourselves We Find In The Sea' which is a FREE event in Halifax, running from 4th April - 4th May, with an emphasis on collective response to the climate emergency.
Get ready for an expansive chat about his career, his studio, and how he approaches making music!
https://martynwareofficial.co.uk/
