KJCKorea
Journal Central

The hybridity of various instruments in the contemporary music reconstructs music production and reception. The paper aims to investigate the relationship between the agency of Analogue Synthesizer, and the production and reception of Kid A by Radiohead based on actor-network theory. The structure of the paper is as follows. In the second chapter, it analyzes the operating principle and the interface of analogue synthesizers-Ondes Martenot, Modular System-used by Radiohead and explains materiality of the instruments. In the third chapter, the paper analyzes how the agency reassembles performing, composing, recording, and concerts of Kid A by regarding the materiality of analogue synthesizer as the agency. Through the investigations, the paper shows that the introduction of analogue synthesizer brings about new method of playing and composing, the division of recording space, the post-conventional performance and even the mode of reception. The paper reveals that the proper agency of various non-human agents are closely related to the new practice and experience of contemporary music.

Radiohead, Kid A, Materiality, Agency, Actor Network Theory, Popular Music, Analogue Synthesizer, Ondes Martenot, Modular System