João Ceitil is a composer and music producer based in the Netherlands. His music covers various styles from funk, experimental music, contemporary classical music to ambient music. On the whole João Ceitil doesn’t really deny any particular musical style. Although his latest creations are more in the spectrum of ambient and experimental music. Especially after he entered the field of modular synthesisers. This last period has strongly shaped his way of thinking about music. If initially his music had narrative character, today it is completely stripped of narrative and relies more on the development of simple algorithmic processes.

One of the João Ceitil’s central ideas is to use repetition in music accompanied by transformation processes. Moreover, there is a special attention devoted to perception. João Ceitil starts from the assumption that our perception has some limitations, especially regarding perceptual memory. Hence, the aim is to create short musical materials so that they are retained in the listeners’ attention. In addition, there is a gradual transformation of these materials, so that the music creates a sense of progression. Nevertheless, in reality, is just the same material presented from another perspective. João Ceitil believes repetition is a parameter intrinsically linked to music, thus reducing its ephemeral character.

Another relevant aspect is the connection and translation of aspects of nature into João Ceitil’s music. Currently, he is focusing on feedback loops. Somehow, nature is in itself a cycle of interactions that affect each other. Nowadays, we live in a state of alert and imminent destruction due to climate change, for which we are responsible. Yet, this state of alertness has been shaping our thinking, and transforming our society. So there is this idea that by transforming the environment, there is an echo or repercussion. Consequently it will transform the transformer.

João Ceitil has been exploring this idea of interaction in modular systems. For example the output of one process, after being modulated by another process, re-enters the system to modulate itself. João Ceitil was able to observe with time that his experimentations translated into musical structures with an inherent logic. Differing from the initial idea that it would result in some form of random chaos. These musical structures tend to organise themselves by means of the circuit designed. Therefore, this is something that arouses much interest in João Ceitil’s conception of music. In a certain way, the act of composing is related more to the creation of circuits based on an algorithm that manages itself autonomously. It is like playing God, which in this case creates a form of intelligence. For instance the inherent logic develops in a very deterministic way. As long as it starts from a determined initial state.

If you are interested in finding out more about João Ceitil, please use the contact form below.