When something is 1) everywhere, it is also likely 2) overlooked, and 3) more interesting than expected.
Lichen certainly qualifies.
1) It is everywhere. Lichen covers an astonishing 7% of the earth’s surface. This number may not sound spectacularly high, but keep in mind that the largest country on earth – Russia – only covers about 3.35%. This means that our planet is floating around decked out in two Russias-worth of lichen.
2) It is overlooked. If you’re still struggling to imagine what lichen looks like, here are some images. If clicking that link makes you say something along the lines of “oh, that. Right, I’ve seen that stuff around, I just thought it was moss or fungus” then you’ve helped prove my point.
3) It is more interesting than expected. Lichen is not moss, nor is it fungus; it is in fact a collaboration. The algae part provides food through photosynthesis, and the fungus part provides the structure. Many lichens have a third partner in their team: yeast, which provides defense by producing noxious chemicals that can ward off predatory microbes.
Lichens can live for thousands of years in various environments, and help break down rock into soil, paving the way for other forms of life. They’ve been used by humans for medicine, food, and dye.
This week’s song is a creative yet faithful cover of Aphex Twin’s “Lichen,” and one of the best Aphex Twin covers I’ve come across.
What makes this a beautiful song:
1. It’s so simple and peaceful. It sticks mostly to the pentatonic scale, which makes it feel open and innocuous, like it could fade nicely into a lichen-filled background.
2. The Brendan Eder Ensemble managed to orchestrate Aphex Twin’s originally electronic composition without over-orchestrating it.
3. Since lichen the organism is a collaboration, it only makes sense that “Lichen” the song should be covered by an ensemble.
Recommended listening activity:
Lookin’ for lichen.