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Digital Progression: "The digital world may well bring about a perfect society"

Interdisciplinary artist and DJ JJ Weihl, better known as Discovery Zone, reveals the ideas behind her latest album, 'Quantum Web'.

Visions of Tomorrow: Embracing the Ideal Digital Society Awaits Us
Visions of Tomorrow: Embracing the Ideal Digital Society Awaits Us

Digital Progression: "The digital world may well bring about a perfect society"

JJ Weihl, a multi-talented musician and artist based in Berlin, has unveiled his latest electronic concept album, Quantum Web. The release, under his solo project Discovery Zone, delves into the complexities of our digital world and our role within it.

Known as the bassist and singer of the indie-pop band Fenster, Weihl also works under the moniker Discovery Zone. This name, interestingly, was originally a chain of child entertainment facilities that went bankrupt in the mid-1990s.

Weihl's new album, Quantum Web, is a mesmerizing blend of hyperpop beats, lo-fi vocals, and synths. The narrative is centred around our digital world, addressing challenging topics such as data tracking and cybernetics.

In 2021, Weihl took an online class at The School of Machines and Make Believe called Radical Imperfection in Time-Tracking. This class introduced him to the concept of self-tracking and data visualization, which seems to have influenced his latest work.

Weihl's work often addresses the use of data in online practices by corporations, and he believes that people are complicit in the exploitation of their data by platforms like Facebook and Google. He thinks that the digital future could be a utopia, but current developments are a reflection of our own actions.

The assignments in the class required tracking various aspects of Weihl's daily life, such as work hours, sleep, diet, exercise, and leisure activities. These experiences might have contributed to the thematic depth of Quantum Web.

Four songs written for a commissioned piece called 'Cybernetica' ended up being the foundation of Weihl's new record. The album's creation process seems to have been a journey of self-discovery and reflection, mirroring the themes it explores.

You can find JJ Weihl on Instagram at @discoveryz0ne, where he shares updates about his music and performances. Discovery Zone's new electronic concept album, Quantum Web, is now available for listening.

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