paul banks:

The last 4 weeks(ish) have been spent hard at work on a record with (sir) Paul Banks of Austin, Texas. I would describe Paul’s music as the sound of Jeff Buckley singing for Wilco. Our main ambition for the project was to keep the vocals as a focus while experimenting with the sonic landscape in which they will be framed. In other words: not just a guy-with-guitar record, not just a guy with band record either… Paul Simon’s self titled record was brought up often as a reference. What makes that record so engaging and timeless is its songs, tasteful production, and airiness. Moments of it are so minimal that there is an almost “implied” production. On “Armistice Day,” the production is building tension more than anything else with the incessant tapping of a bongo drum and simple shaker pattern…this is all the song needs. This approach is, more or less, what we kept in mind while working on Paul’s record.

radio:

I want to mention that i have started DJ-ing for WRVU Nashville (91.1) from 11-1am every Wednesday. My show is called “Crossroads” and specializes in ‘music of the south.’ I am still getting the hang of it but am enjoying it very much. I hope you will tune in if you happen to be up that late on a Wednesday. You can listen online at www.wrvu.org if you are not in town. I am hoping to start doing shows focusing on specific cities and specific niche styles and genres in the south. I am open to ideas.

modern music:

I have fallen deep into the throes of 20th century classical music. It has been my pursuit for the past two years or so to (at least) understand and appreciate all types of music. This is more a feeling of responsibility than anything else – if I am going to work creatively in music, I should know as much as I can about it. Some styles which I did not have an inherent understanding or appreciation for include: avante-garde classical, noise, free jazz. I have yet to grasp much of the free jazz, nor have I dove deep into the noise/ambient world, but I dove very deep into the classical world (20th century specifically) and have become completely engrossed in it. With a little help from Alex Ross’ excellent book, The Rest is Noise, I have discovered some new favorite composers such as Steve Reich, Arvo Part, Olivier Messiaen, Philip Glass, Iannis Xenakis, and several others. Some whom I am still on the fence about are Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, and Akiri Takemitsu. Since my recent fascination with this whole new world (whole new world?) of music I keep seeing more and more the apparent interest shared by many of the artists at the forefront of the ‘art-pop’ scene. Just yesterday I read an interview with the lead singer of Phoenix where he expressed his fascination with Reich and effort to recreate his methods on their new record. Some obvious examples of new classical ideas used in pop music are found in the music of Bjork, Radiohead, and Sonic Youth; However, I see more and more influence creeping into the world of ‘indie rock:’ St. Vincent’s Annie Clark tweets about Terry Riley, Sufjan Stevens seems to quote various minimilast composers (especially Reich and Riley) in his instrumental music.
All this to say: My recent ventures into “new” music have completely renewed my obsession with the art of music and my excitement in making it. I have recently been inspired to compose myself so maybe there will be something to share soon.