Oblique Strategies

Here are some Oblique Strategies, developed in 1975 by Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt. Take them seriously.

- Think of the radio | Are there sections? Consider transitions | Emphasize repetitions | Into the impossible | Is there something missing? | Ask your body | Decorate, decorate | Reverse | Honour the error as a hidden intention | Water | Use fewer notes | Distorting time | Make a blank valuable by putting it in an exquisite frame | Just carry on | It is quite possible (after all) | Go outside. Shut the door | Do something boring | Overtly resist change | Destroy -nothing -the most important thing

About the author

Samvél Khachatryan

Samvél Khachatryan is an author, translator and sound artist based in Armavir, Armenia. He holds a master’s degree in Political Science and International Affairs from the American University of Armenia. Following his debut novel, “26 Baghramian Avenue”, Sam is currently working on his second novel, “Yerevan Blues”. His ambient/experimental records are closely interlinked to his texts, as both introduce personal narratives on memory, drama, and music. His recent record, “Radio “Yerevan Blues””, is set to be played in public in parallel with the publication of the novel. As a translator, Samvél has translated three books, the latest of which, the short story by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, was published in August 2022 (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button).

Samvél’s motto is “As ignorable as it is interesting (listen to the quiet voice!)”. This oblique strategy is definitive to ambient music, which is not suitable for mainstream consumption, but gives the audience a chance to pay closer attention to atmospheric sounds (and words) for richer experiences.