The Story Behind ‘Gardyn’
Gardyn is a gift to my mother, a track made of sounds that I recorded around her garden. The track also features harmonic syllables of her voice. I shot the video myself over a number of days after a refreshing trip to New York. Gardyn marks the first time I’ve ever mixed the real world, and I hope it won’t be the last.
The word ‘Gardyn’ is middle English. I wanted to name the track something real, but at the same time, I wanted it to be easy to find. Other names I considered were ‘Bluomo’ which is Latin for blossom, and simply ‘The Garden’ which I felt was terribly lazy and unappealing.
I pulled my mother outside one afternoon to interview her. I didn’t explain what it was for, but I’ve always been a very experimental chap, so this was nothing too out of the ordinary. For 10 minutes, I got her to tell me about her passion for gardening and her relationship with God.
With the vocal samples I needed, I ran around her property filming sights and sounds that I would later splice together with her voice to make music. I wanted to capture the textures and materials. I’ve been a chronic rhythm tapper for as long as I can remember – always dropping beats on anything that sounds good. Doing this throughout the video made a lot of sense.
I spent a good three weeks painting with these sounds before I could call this creation a solid track. I was nervous about releasing it – I didn’t want people to think I was moving away from films. ‘Gardyn’ was the first real-world Pogo mix I released, and I had no idea how everyone would react.
Mother’s Day finally arrived, and ‘Gardyn’ gained a startling 100,000 views on YouTube in its first week.
I was in bed one night when this idea first struck me. I suddenly saw myself sitting with red Indian tribes, African tribes, visiting Shaolin monk monestries, traipsing through Egyptian markets – all the way making Pogo mixes out of my experiences. What better way for me to see the world? I could find no flaw with this idea other than the fact I’d have to seek funding that doesn’t entail deadlines and the advertising of some product or service. That would be the biggest challenge. It’s like everyone always says, start small and climb the ladder.
Filming and mixing my mother’s garden was a great experience. Mixing films will always be a passion of mine, but it’s certainly exciting to imagine running around the world with a camera, microphone and laptop. Now whenever I hear sounds and voices around me, my brain starts ticking!
nick, your such an inspiration, its great to see your inspiration.
A wonderful presentation that gave me a mood of peace and serenity. Congratulations!
[...] You can read about how the track and video, a gift to his mother, were created here. If you can't watch the video you can just listen to the track here. Do yourself a favor and listen [...]
The arrangement of the video has an amateur style and a professional style at the same time. This is what it makes so interesting to me.
you should do hawaii
i loved Gardyn i think of it as a relaxing symphony i also reckon if you asked people to help you by sending copies of videos or clips of their holidays you could get quiet a collection. i looking forward to hearing more of these symphony’s
I am a photography degree student and have found this video to be extremely inspiring, I am in love with the re-contextualised audio and visual aesthetic. I am extremely grateful for this insight into the shooting and significance of this video.
Thank you Pogo!
:)
[...] The video Gardyn is pretty great piece of nonlinear story impressionism in its own right, but I feel like it’s even better accompanied by this explanatory blog post from Pogo. [...]
omwae says:
Absolute poetry. And beautifully shot, fantastic cinematography.
Girl you really nailed this one… delightful, so very well done technically and yet so full of spirit. Keep them coming, this will work out for you I’m sure!
mother’s garden love it…
Wow. Just wow. What else can I say?
This idea that you have to travel and visit Shaolin monasteries and Egyptian markets I see as the beginning of your legacy and fulfillment and extension of why you started everything in this genre. Expand this idea and prepare as everything will change to allow it to manifest. Somehow you have a natural way with the camera and with your music background it will allow you to inspire others to the wonders of the world and advance yourself and those who experience it with you.
Absolutely perfect!
It is a masterpiece! I have been listening to it over and over again and I find it truly inspiring. It has the texture of a dream and it reminds me of summer.
If you would like to come to Israel please be in touch :)
keep creating fine art.
Thank you.
That’s great. Congratulations. I love it all. Thank you
You’re an amazing inspiration to everyone who experiences your work. You have no idea how much inspiration you’ve poured into my daily life. As a photographer and artist, music is a huge influence on my work. If someone were to one day ever ask me, “Who do you wish to give credit to for your successes?” I would respond, “God, my husband, and Pogo.”
- Viviana from Kelowna, British Columbia
HI,
i follow you since 3 years and i find your music experience amazing (i can’t found an other word). Like someone told you in those comments “you did art”.
Man, you have a real talent in mixing video sampling noise.
I love your “touch” in video making and music mixxing :)
You made a real gift to your mother and to us with this song.
I’am thinking about to create a website project inspired by your songs.
PS : sorry if i made errors writing in english i’am french mothertongue.
–
Laurent – Graphic designer, webmaster and media trainer.
God bless you, and your mother and all animated and non-animated things around you!
[...] Site oficial: Pogo [...]
This is amazing and is without a doubt, my favorite track by you. I’m currently working on a remix. I’ll send it when it’s done.
hi,
i just wanted to tell you that i love everything you do, it is exciting and inspiring
please, don’t ever stop doing it
i know it causes you more pleasure than it causes me
thank you
a hug
:D
Dear Mr. Bertke,
I will one day collaborate with you. You truly are a very gifted producer as am i.
You’re achieving my near future.
Our passions for film and music alike are quite the same.
The way we see and interpret the world as well as moral values are almost identical.
It’s as if i have a twin on the other side of the world. It encourages me.
You are the inspiration i wish to be to others.
We will meet.
signed,
- Enfinite
P.S.
the only obstacle i face now is my indefinite foul luck with computers.
btw “gardyn” is one of my favorites.
When I read that you would like to go around the world doing this, my chest went “unh.” Please find a way to do that. Maybe you could sell subscriptions. I don’t know what that even means, but I will contribute.
Can you put this up in FLAC please!
This is one of my favorite songs by far.
This is more than just music…its art. I hope you continue to do this. Clearly, you have an eye and ear for creating and showcasing beautiful things in the world. This seems to be a new style of expression…and I like it a lot!
You’ve got an incredible talent – I hope you keep doing this for years to come, because it’s incredible.
so beautiful, so lovely. this is magic.
Definitely my fave of all the mixed audio visual art that you have been throwing at us.
Keep it up, good luck with the travels, and really looking forward to more. :)
you are ON AIR here this week! http://programaladob.com/?p=1972
you will not understand a word (I think), but anyway… great song! (and amazing video)
greetings from Lisbon (Portugal)
Really loved this NIck. Well done, and very best wishes to your mum!
Nick, this is so moving.
Greetings to your clearly special mum!
…and big fine luck to you,
Paul
I have been a fan of creative geniuses like Aphex Twin and Autechcre for over a decade. My hat is off to you, sir. This has truly struck a chord in my heart. Amazing! Please keep it up. I can’t wait for your next post. Music at the moment is stale and derivative; you are an example of hope for future artists.
German television mentioned Guggenheim’s site and there I found your video. I like it very much! Tell your Mom she has a wonderful Gardyn!
Greetings from Munich
Guido
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=de&geocode=&q=Munich,+Germany&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=54.884801,73.300781&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=M%C3%BCnchen,+Bayern,+Bundesrepublik+Deutschland&ll=48.181425,11.560364&spn=0.182677,0.286331&t=h&z=12
Awsome!!!
I found your video on Guggenheim’s site.. congratulations!!!
What a beautiful tribute to your mother as well as a very creative and artisitc piece of work. The fact that your mother’s voice is incorporated into this video makes it such a personal legacy of her. You will treasure this connection with her forever, long past when she has left her garden. Clearly, her passion for gardening and your passion for creative videography is inextricably intertwined. What a blessing for her to have such a talented and beautiful son. With such passion, creativity, and sensitivity, your future success is inevitable! Thank you for sharing this piece with us! ~ MEK in Pennsylvania
Hy Pogo :D
Made a nice Album Cover Artwork for Gardyn (well – not that much to make actually, but i like it!)
http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=2256771gardyn.PNG
What do you think?
Damn, your mother looks so peaceful in that one!
AWESOME
I’m not one to every give my opinion freely. (especially to strangers). When I saw the beginning of the video at Guggenheim, I was about to press the stop button (thinking, I’ve heard all this type before) before my finger pressed the button, I heard the chopped up tones of your mother’s voice……
You should be careful of what you publish… you don’t know the effect it might have on others…
I haven’t seen or heard my mother’s voice in 13 years.
I froze… listened… then I stalked the video on youtube… downloaded it.. and listened to it on high powered Bose earphones…. then I cried… actually… I BAWLED!.
the tones of your mother’s voice that you captured can easily be captivated as anybody’s MOM’s voice.. it was sweet, it was soft… it was genuine… it was embrasive.. it made someone with the heart of iron (me)
turn into a child and cried!
I have since downloaded all your videos and become an instant fan. THANK YOU for sharing your personal world with the world.. and about capturing your mom describing something she enjoys doing… I think it would be an insult to call you an artist.. you are a genius and I hope you never stop blessing us with your gift.
Very much in admiration of your talent.
Cheers
Lol, you cried over a song that reminded you of your mother’s voice? Some “heart of iron” that is…. REAL IRON MEN DON’T HAVE FEELINGS FAGGOT.
There’s One thing I would love to know. What did you hear, because I am still in the dark here. :))
Duuuuuude!
I watched your video on the VERY first day I gardened (today). I cultivated soil, placed seeds, and watered the ground for my first time. Only a couple hours later, I chanced upon this video and it makes me want to continue to play in the dirt.
I love how personal the video is for you, how well it’s put together, and the music is awesome!
GREATNESS. BRILLIANCE.
Beautiful.
Love your track, it has such a nice, fresh and peaceful vibe.
Oxford, England.
AWESOME VIDEO
VIDEO in HD 1080p Please!!!!!!
i love your track..its fresh and funky..i also could feel the wind and sun, made me feel good!thx! susan from germany
I enjoy this story as much as your mix film you made.
I will give this piece of modern art to my university students to see how a chap like them can make a music with images. I really enjoy your work.
Fer (from Perú)
Love that beat! The visuals wer so good I could feel the wind and sun.
Stephanie in Virginia
Your mother must have been really touched by this. it’s so beautiful! What an homage to her.
Check out the site listed….we do ambient as well as deep house and some techno (not a lot) but you sound like a kindred spirit.
Your filming and editing skills are pretty incredible, as well–don’t short yourself there. I hope you’re getting some good education out of this (as in scholarships) because you are a very talented person.
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful vision with all of us. it’s such a joy!!
Steven, Fremont, CA, USA
This video is just stunning – I have never seen such a beautiful portrait of middle Australia. Incredible. You left out one piece of important information in your article though – what did your mother think of it?
William, Montreal