All life on planet Earth, and probably anywhere else in the universe is based on carbon.
It’s a simple little atom (number 6 on the periodic table) but it can form a vast number of compounds, more than any other element. Almost ten million are known and that’s only a small fraction of what’s theoretically possible.
Because of it’s ability to easily form stable bonds with itself and with other elements, it often forms large complex molecules with repeating patterns. That’s called catenation and is very useful for building biological systems. Life, in other words. Our genetic code, DNA, is a very long complex molecule based on the properties of carbon. So are proteins which form the basic sub-units of our body. Carbohydrates store the energy used by animals and plants and guess what, they’re carbon based. Even some neurotransmitters are built with carbon atoms, like dopamine and serotonin. There are many, many other examples, the study of which is called Organic Chemistry. It has its own category, different from regular chemistry. Carbon is the most prolific element in our body, besides oxygen.
It’s an amazing shape shifter. Diamonds are pure crystallized carbon, transparent, and one of the hardest substances known. Graphite, another form of carbon is black, easily breaks or rubs off - it’s pencil lead. Graphene is composed of a single layer of carbon atoms connected in a honeycomb structure that’s harder than steel and more flexible than rubber, microscopically speaking. Wow, what an element!
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Carbon Based Life Forms is also the name of a band. Their music is playing right now on the podcast version (unless the evil algorithms got it). It’s ambient psy-chill, machines and nature frolicking together in a grove of trees alongside a trickling brook, a couple of rabbits foraging in the field. It’s Johannes Hedberg and Daniel Vadestrid from Sweden. Their music inspired me to write this post.
They met in 1991 when they were 15 years old and started collaborating. It was the beginning a friendship that has lasted until now. They’ve produced 5 albums and a soundtrack. And they play at festivals in Europe. Live music.
The comments on their YouTube page range from idyllic to euphoric:
alvanwolf:
Everyone commenting on this video is so filled with love. If only the world behaves this way... I love you guys.
moist:
12 years later. still favorite album. forever.
judyenville:
I cannot tell you how many times this album has given me sanctuary from this wild wild world
djbavamorda:
I can't get enough of this, every tune is a droplet of paradise.
Their interlocking ambient riffs and targeted arpeggios and spoken word voices in the mist evoke some kind of deep brain waves, atleast in me. their music is like listening to the whispered and hush secret code of life That’s from elijah.
From a lovely interview in Psybient. They’re talking about their favorite synthesizer - the Roland TB-303.
Despite being such a simple instrument it’s extremely versatile, as it can be very aggressive when distorted and at the same time fluffy and bubbly when treated nicely. The super organic but still machine-like sound combined with it’s quirky sequencer makes this machine unique.
Our music aim is to combine nature and technology so it fits right in for us.
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Just like organic macromolecules and the sub-riffs of Daniel and Johannes - their incatenations, this post is built with catenation too. Friendly, flexible little units called words are arranged in such a way that it makes a whole thing. It sticks together. It’s flexible yet strong - like humans. It can be arranged in many different ways, for many different purposes. Sometimes it’s transparent, sometimes it’s opaque. Sometimes it flies away, sometimes it whispers in your ear. ‘I’m just a carbon based life form.’
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That’s it. That’s all I got. I hope you enjoyed it.
Daniel and Johannes’ music below.
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