Inter-dimensional entity spreading its message through music.
Trauma Mammal is bringing his own form of experimental electronica music to the world.
Strange things often happen to people while they are in a coma. Some wake up speaking languages they did not have any prior knowledge of. Some have memories of people, places, and events that do not exist in the outside world. And, some have gone to places not quite of this world, or been visited by by distant beings. Those beings can also become fascinated with experimental electronica music.
Trauma Mammal is one of these entities. He inhabits the body of his human host, Mark. Mark was in a near-fatal motorcycle accident in 2012. He was medevacked to a nearby hospital and put into a medically induced coma. Mark, unfortunately had to have his left leg amputated. During the time Mark was comatose, he was visited by a being from another dimension. This entity required a host in order to survive in this world. Luckily for both, Mark was near death and easily inhabited and caused consciousness. Since this entity was not from anywhere resembling this plane of existence, it had not experienced life in a way a human would. It grew to assume that the buzzes and beeps of the medical equipment Mark was hooked up to, was a form a communication for humans.
While lying along with Mark in the hospital bed, the entity was unaware of what to call himself. The wristband the hospital had Mark wear was labeled “TRJMAMMAL”. The “TRJ” was later discovered to mean “trauma” for the ward they were located. “MAMMAL” was simply a series of letters used to finish out the designation. Thus, Trauma Mammal became what this entity is named here on Earth and this dimension.
With the inability to speak a human language, Trauma Mammal communicates through pop-culture samples and experimental electronic music, as well as his human host Mark. The samples became an important connection between Trauma Mammal and Mark and was “almost an instant ‘Rosetta Stone’ for us to communicate much more efficiently with one another.” When Mark can remember something from a TV show or movie, it allows Trauma Mammal to understand what is being conveyed. Samples of those moments from media are then used in creating Trauma Mammal’s music, along with the electronic sounds (synth, Midi, etc.).
The Gear
“I dont use any kind of music software. I only use a laptop for livestreaming shows and for referencing the settings on all of my equipment. Most of my equipment is linked together with MIDI. The heart and soul of my equipment is the Korg EMX-1. I also use a Korg ES-1 MKI sampler that is run through a Korg KP3 Kaoss Pad effects processor, a Roland SP404-SX sampler and a Roland SH-32 synthesizer controlled by an Akai Advance 61 MIDI keyboard. I run all of those through a Zoom R16 digital multitrack recorder that I use as my mixer and USB audio interface for livestreams.”
Being an inter-dimensional entity isn’t without its downfalls. Let alone one that has the desire to be a musician. Sometimes it it difficult to get that footing. Trauma Mammal has been making it work though. He has been using as many outlets as he can to get the music out there. He has been regularly posting on Twitch and Soundcloud. The Twitch streams have been live performances, as well as writing sessions, and have been produced by VJ Grey Hash, who is responsible for all Trauma Mammal visuals. He has been allowing his audience in on the creative process and is communicating as much as possible. “Music is a universal language, not unlike math which makes sense as they so often work hand in hand,” says Trauma Mammal.
Inspiration for the music is pulled from the personal experiences of host Mark, both conscious and subconscious memories and events. But, that doesn’t necessarily give any song a direct meaning. The interpretation is left entirely up to the audience. Trauma Mammal “would prefer the music to speak for itself. I would never want what I consider to be the meaning of a song to color or even worse, delegitimize someone else’s beliefs on the songs meaning.” Each song is meant to draw something different from each listener. But it is not without prodding in certain directions. He wants humans to be more self-aware of their power and beauty, as well as their shortcomings. Trauma Mammal is seeing this all from a truly outside perspective. He sees the flaws, yet praises and encourages the potential and brilliance of humanity. But, that does not mean he sees himself as perfect and without hubris. Sometimes, he just likes “flexing on the crowd” with his musical talent.
The music itself is ever changing. Each song has its own unique flavor. However, a lot of 80’s synth styling is used. But that comes with the territory of electronica music. “Good Humans” is mellow and rhythmic with clips of an almost fear of technology. The synth melody commands attention. “Destroy Me” is astral and floating. It also brings back those sounds of the hospital bed from Mark’s coma. Other songs from Friday Live streams and Songwriting Sundays on his Twitch stream have been upbeat with epic builds. The live streams are filled with improvisation as well as live, slightly tweaked versions of recorded songs. Together Trauma Mammal and his human host have bonded over a love of bands such as Big Black, Time Zone and classic LL Cool J. Film soundtracks and specific scenes have also caused musical inspiration. The Mortal Kombat Annihilation soundtrack and the hostage symphony scene from Virtuosity have been credited as inspirations. Along with an affinity for grape cough syrup recollected from human host Mark’s childhood, this mix been pulled together to complete the sound Trauma Mammal has sought to achieve.
Trauma Mammal can mainly be seen and heard on Twitch and Soundcloud respectively. Sundays are typically reserved for live streamed songwriting sessions. Fridays are live versions, and recorded songs are up on Soundcloud. December 26th through 29th Trauma Mammal will be apart of Clownfest. The four day online festival will include roughly 90 other artists. This will be the third time Unsigned Review Live Playlist (host of Clownfest) founder Mark Gardner, aka Pierrot The Acid Clown, has invited Trauma Mammal to perform. The online stream will be available on Facebook, Youtube and Twitch and is free to all viewers.
