Have you ever considered the musical potential hidden within your car? The Car Music Project took this idea to an extreme, crafting entire ensembles of instruments from vehicles. While they’ve experimented with various automobiles, their transformation of a brand-new Ford Focus 2008 Car Parts into a fully functional orchestra is particularly striking and has captured global attention. This project not only showcases incredible creativity but also offers a unique perspective on repurposing automotive components.
Before the magic happened, a pristine, five-door 2008 Ford Focus hatchback, the kind familiar on UK roads, looked like this:
But after the Car Music Project team, led by sound designer Bill Milbrodt, got their hands on it, the Ford Focus 2008 car parts were reborn. Twenty-one distinct parts were meticulously crafted into an impressive collection of 31 individual musical instruments.
This incredible metamorphosis was part of an advertising campaign that premiered in England, demonstrating the unexpected versatility of Ford Focus 2008 car parts. You can witness the astonishing result in the extended three-minute version of the ad here.
Further details about this project were highlighted in an article by Autoblog, titled “More cowbell! Ford turns Focus into musical instruments,” which you can explore here.
We had the opportunity to delve deeper into this fascinating endeavor by speaking directly with Bill Milbrodt, the New York-based sound designer who spearheaded the 22-person team. Alongside fabrication manager Ray Faunce III and composer Craig Richey, known for his scores in films like The King of Kong and Friends With Money, Milbrodt transformed the Ford Focus 2008 car parts into a symphony of sound.
In this exclusive interview, Bill Milbrodt provides CDM with invaluable insights into the challenging yet rewarding process of converting a Ford Focus 2008 hatchback into a chamber ensemble. His account offers a unique understanding of instrument design and construction, appealing to both acoustic and digital instrument enthusiasts.
Addressing skepticism, Milbrodt and his team proved to doubters, like the Crave blog, that the music produced was indeed genuine. These instruments, fashioned from Ford Focus 2008 car parts, were capable of creating fantastic sounds. As Milbrodt jokingly points out, perhaps the peace of mind in buying a car comes from knowing you could potentially deconstruct it with a skilled team and perform original music on its components!
Interview with Bill Milbrodt: From Ford Focus 2008 Car Parts to Musical Instruments
Taking a brand-new Ford Focus 2008, practically straight from the factory, and immediately dismantling it sounds like a daunting task. How much pre-planning went into deciding which Ford Focus 2008 car parts would become which instruments, and how much was improvised during the process?
“Almost nothing was improvised on the spot. We completely dismantled the car, sorting all the Ford Focus 2008 car parts into organized groups – door components together, and so on. My prior experience building instruments from my old Honda Accord for the original Car Music Project was crucial. The core process is akin to solving a complex puzzle.”
“We had specific requirements: to create wind, brass, percussion, and string instruments capable of playing the composed music. Crucially, for authenticity, we aimed to use Ford Focus 2008 car parts that were as intact as possible, avoiding simply using generic sheet metal from the car’s body for major components. The instruments needed to be tunable to Western musical standards and resemble traditional instruments closely enough for professional musicians to learn them quickly, given limited rehearsal time. Finally, visual appeal was paramount for the television commercial.”
“The ‘puzzle’ aspect involved laying out all the Ford Focus 2008 car parts to explore potential functional and visually interesting combinations. We experimented extensively, drawing on past experience to guide us – knowing what wouldn’t work and recognizing promising possibilities. We documented everything with notes, videos, photos, and sketches, sending these ideas to the director, Noam Murro. Once he approved a concept, we began construction.”
“With only a finite number of Ford Focus 2008 car parts available from the two cars shipped to us from Europe, careful planning was essential. We had to ensure that a part crucial for a vital instrument wasn’t used on a less essential one. This kind of resource management is where prior experience proved invaluable.”
Could you describe the ensemble in more detail? We see some instruments in the ad, but what are some of the standout instruments made from Ford Focus 2008 car parts that you are most proud of?
“The ensemble includes a variety of instruments, each uniquely crafted from Ford Focus 2008 car parts. Among them are:”
- Clutch Guitar: Adorned with an interior door panel as a backdrop, showcasing the aesthetic potential of Ford Focus 2008 car parts.
- Spike Fiddle: Constructed from a rear suspension mount and a shock absorber, demonstrating how structural Ford Focus 2008 car parts can be reimagined.
- Ford Fender Bass: Utilizing fenders and a pillar/roof support to create a resonant bass instrument from robust Ford Focus 2008 car parts.
- Shockbone: Primarily made from shock absorber components, highlighting the versatility of suspension Ford Focus 2008 car parts.
- Window Frame Harp: Transforming a window frame into a delicate harp, showcasing the lighter side of Ford Focus 2008 car parts.
- Opera Window Violin: Using an opera window to create a unique violin, demonstrating the acoustic possibilities of car window Ford Focus 2008 car parts.
- Dijeruba: A hybrid instrument functioning as both a didgeridoo and a primitive tuba, showcasing the diverse sound potential within Ford Focus 2008 car parts.
“Personally, I’m particularly fond of the Ford Fender Bass and the Window Harp. They represent the range of sounds and visual aesthetics we were able to achieve using Ford Focus 2008 car parts.”
What was the timeline for constructing these instruments from Ford Focus 2008 car parts?
“From the initial dismantling of the Ford Focus 2008 to shipping the completed instruments, we had approximately five weeks. The main construction phase took about three and a half weeks in Pennsylvania. Afterward, on the West Coast, we focused on visual enhancements and additional props for the commercial shoot.”
Given these are essentially new instruments, albeit inspired by traditional forms, how much rehearsal time did the musicians need?
“The musicians had two rehearsals: an evening session of about 2.5 hours and a Saturday rehearsal of roughly 6 hours. Considering the novelty of playing instruments crafted from Ford Focus 2008 car parts, they adapted remarkably quickly.”
Beyond the Ford Focus 2008 project, what other instrument-building endeavors have you undertaken?
“For the original Car Music Project, I built a full orchestra’s worth of instruments, representing all four families of the traditional orchestra. These included instruments like the Tank Bass, Air Guitar, Strutbone, Exhaustaphone, Convertibles, Tube Flutes, Frame Harp, Doorimba, Wheel Drums, and Trunk Drums – a total of 55 percussion pieces. It was a comprehensive exploration of turning car parts into music.”
“It’s important to note that I’m not a metal fabricator myself. My role is to assemble and direct a team of incredibly talented individuals who contribute to the instrument-making process. Ray Faunce III, who oversaw fabrication for the Ford Focus 2008 instruments and the original Car Music Project, is a key collaborator. While I guide the design and construction, the designs and the actual building are collaborative efforts. For the Ford Focus 2008 project, I had around 22 talented people contributing their skills. My role is similar to a film director – understanding the overall vision and guiding the process to achieve it. For the Car Music Project, the vision was mine; for the Ford Focus 2008 project, it was director Noam Murro’s.”
What was composer Craig Richey’s role, and were there unique considerations when composing for an ensemble made from Ford Focus 2008 car parts?
“Craig Richey composed the music specifically for the Ford Focus Orchestra commercial. He was involved from the outset, as his composition dictated the instruments we needed to create from Ford Focus 2008 car parts. I maintained communication with Craig throughout the instrument design process, determining the types and quantities of instruments required.”
“Once the instruments were built, Craig adapted his music to their specific capabilities. These are, after all, instruments crafted from Ford Focus 2008 car parts, not mass-produced, perfected instruments. Each is unique. While we designed them to function similarly to traditional instruments, adjustments were necessary. If an instrument couldn’t play a melody quickly enough, Craig would modify the arrangement, perhaps reassigning parts or splitting melodies. Adaptation was key for everyone involved.”
This project used a new car, but could these techniques be applied to recycling and repurposing waste materials, specifically older Ford Focus 2008 car parts?
“The original Car Music Project did recycle an older car. I believe there’s significant potential for recycling older vehicles into other useful items. Currently, auto salvage companies crush cars, separate materials, and sell them for reuse. However, I think we can always improve recycling processes and explore more creative repurposing, perhaps even giving old Ford Focus 2008 car parts a second life as instruments or art.”
Were there many Ford Focus 2008 car parts left over after the project?
“Yes, there were some leftover Ford Focus 2008 car parts, but not many that were particularly useful for instrument making.”
A Side Note on Early Digital Recording
“On a slightly different note, Peter, I noticed your website focuses on digital media. Related to sampling and digital audio, I had one of the earliest studios equipped for direct-to-disk recording. In 1987, I installed a New England Digital Synclavier with Direct-to-Disk recorder. The manufacturer told me I was the fifth customer to have this system. I can’t verify if that’s entirely true, but it’s what I was told – and it certainly dates me a bit!”
Here is the final advertisement spot showcasing the music created with Ford Focus 2008 car parts:
For those seeking a different kind of automotive-inspired music, here’s the Nutcracker Suite performed using sampled bicycle parts, by composer Flip Baber:
To explore more music created with car part instruments, visit The Car Music Project’s official page, where DVDs and CDs are available:
Further music, videos, and information can be found at the Car Music Project MySpace Page:
Car Music Project MySpace Page
Also, explore Bill Milbrodt’s personal page for more of his work:
Further Details: Authenticity Confirmed
Questions regarding the authenticity of the ensemble led to the release of more information about how the instruments were played and why the resulting sound leaned towards a classical style. To learn more about the genuine nature of this project, read:
Yes, Virginia, There Really is a Ford Car Part Musical Ensemble
