Articles by Lawrence Peryer
Hainbach: Crafting Soundscapes from Forgotten Relics
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines On Berlin-based electronic music composer and performer Hainbach.I have come to view Hainbach as much an archeologist or audio specimen collector as he is a musician. While he makes beautiful music and soundscapes, they are often showcase pieces for the devices he works on, which include not only vintage and rare modular synthesizers but also tape machines, test equipment, and other industrial machinery. A particular highlight of his work is his YouTube channel, where ...
read moreKevin Sun: Emotion, Technique, and the Language of Jazz
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines On saxophonist/composer Kevin Sun. Kevin joined us to discuss, among other things, his dramatic double album from 2023, The Depths of Memory ((Endectomorph), which was released in two halves: From All This Stillness in July The Depths in Slow Motion in October. Kevin's an intense yet accessible player and composer--and a true working musician. He leads an ensemble most Tuesday nights at Lowlands Bar and appears regularly at Bar Bayeux and Ornithology, all three in Brooklyn, ...
read moreWill Barnes: Jazz Impressions of the Welsh Landscape
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines On Will Barnes, leader of the Will Barnes Quartet, who joins me to talk about his life in music and, specifically, his ongoing collaboration with landscape artist Erin Hughes. Their first album together, Source of the Severn (AAB Records), is a 21st-century take on classic bebop-era sounds. Erin's nine original works of art respond to Will and the Quartet's music, using her own hand-marbled papers as a palette to create collages that evoke the ...
read moreLucky Lo: Swedish Pop Music with a Twist
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines On in a much different way than usual, as we turn the microphone over to guest host Miriam Boulos.Miriam has been a guest contributor to Bonus Tracks, the official blog of Spotlight On, since August 2023. Miriam publishes with us frequently, and her work has included interviews with and essays about a diverse array of artists like James Walsh of Starsailor, Chappell Roan, Fuera, Ella More, Chagall, and most recently PEPTALK. As an international ...
read moreChalk: A Relentless and Genre-Busting Band from Belfast
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines On the Belfast, Ireland, band Chalk. Chalk is Ross Cullen on vocals, Ben Goddard on guitar, and Luke Niblock on drums. They cook up a pretty stunning racket with a unique sound that is nonetheless recognizable in its post-punk, dance, and industrial lineages. If that makes sense to you, you will love Chalk. If it does not, give them a listen. Chances are you will dig what they do. This is the ...
read moreSui Zhen: Sleepless at SXSW
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines On Chinese-Malaysian Australian artist, musician and creative producer, Sui Zhen.This is the first of two episodes recorded on-site at the SXSW Conference and Festival in Austin, Texas.This year's edition of South By Southwest has been the subject of controversy related to event's work with the US Army and several weapons manufacturers as sponsors for various programming segments throughout, and the reactions--including withdrawals from and boycotts of the event--by artists.Sui Zhen ...
read moreNic Dembling: Recalling New Wave New York with Comateens
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines On musician and songwriter Nicholas Dembling, aka Nic North, aka Nic West, of seminal New York CIty New Wave Pop band, Comateens. The New York that birthed Comateens was in the midst of a particularly vibrant musical moment. There was new music everywhere. Jazz cats were staging loft concerts in pre-glitz SOHO. The punks and no wavers were holding court on the Lower East Side. Philip Glass and the minimalists were premiering new works ...
read morePhil Haynes: a Renowned Jazz Drummer Chases the Masters
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines On drummer, composer, and improviser Phillip Haynes.Phil published a unique memoir in November 2023, Chasing the Masters: First Takes of a Modernist Drumming Artist (Corner Store Jazz), which includes not only his reflections on a life in and of music but also stands as an important document of nearly 40 years of music in New York City and beyond.Phil delivers plenty of inside observations of his work with figures like Lee Konitz, ...
read moreDave Wish (Music Will): The Kids Are Alright… With Music Education
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines On Dave Wish, founder and Chief Vision Officer for Music Will. This nonprofit organization funds and runs one of the largest instrumental and vocal music programs in US public schools. Dave, a former Palo Alto, California school teacher, launched Music Will due to frustration with the lack of music programming in his school. He started by borrowing instruments from friends and hitting area flea markets for deals. From there, he began offering free guitar ...
read moreDaniel Ögren: Nordic Psychedelia & Global Beats
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines On musician and producer Daniel Ögren. Daniel is one of the artists propelling Sweden's contemporary new music scene. He has an extensive body of work as a solo artist and as a member of Sven Wunder, The Greys, and, most notably, Dina Ögon. He also works as a producer and musician for other artists. Daniel joined us upon the release of his album Fastingen-92 (Mr Bongo). The record “draws from Daniels's love ...
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