Electric Treatment Free: Imagine Captain Beefheart with a Computer and a Synth
The weirdo freeform jazz of Captain Beefheart and the equally bizarro freeform rock of Zappa always felt like kindred spirits with differing genre bases but a similar attitude towards music and experimentation. Enter another kindred spirit into the fray, the avant-garde computer nerd turned musician Mark Uygur, aka Electric Treatment Free. Uygur describes his music stating that all music is written by a human and performed by a computer… and this description is probably the best and most succinct way to describe ETF’s freeform electro tunes.
The experimental electronic project comes on the heels of years of study on composition and theory, as well as experience playing guitar for a few local rock outfits. With a sound that’s steeped in both musical theory and complex math, to call Electric Treatment Free’s self-titled EP innovative would be an understatement. In fact, Layla Marino of YourEDM explains that ETF’s importance cannot be overstated “because not only do they remember that music is all math and theory, even in the abstract, but they are the ones who hold the key to more innovation in other genres”… and she’s right.
Admittedly, this style and sound that ETF presents isn’t for everyone. It’s not always traditionally paced or melodic in the way people tend to expect, but it plays with unique timings, sounds, and beats to create genius-level compositions. In this way, ETF remains a musician in the same spirit of Beefheart and Zappa – fans of the types of jazz and rock fusion music that experiments and explores as these folks do are sure to find something here they will love., even if electronic music has never been quite their thing.
You can listen to the self-titled Electronic Treatment Free EP below or download it yourself at Bandcamp. It’s certainly worth the time and effort to seek out this unique, free spirited, musical guru.
