I’ve worked on many projects by many artists, but this is my first release under my own name. And it only took me 50 years!
It’s a back-to-the-roots project for me, though I have some fairly strange roots. When I was a teen I wanted to go into academia, specializing in early music (that is, European classical music from before 1650). Fate choose a different path for me, but I’ve always been fascinated by ancient music, especially the bizarre stuff that emerged toward the end of the Middle Ages. So this is a collection of music composed during the 1300s.
I followed a simple but strict “rule book”: I played only the notes and rhythms the composers specified, but I allowed myself total freedom in applying modern instrumentation and production. (As opposed to when I was young, when my goal, like that of most early music practitioners, was to perform the music as authentically as possible.) The resulting album is surreal, psychedelic, and, for better or worse, unlike anything I’ve ever heard.
Here are some places you can listen:
This is a digital-only release for now, though I’ll do a vinyl pressing if there’s enough interest.
I could say a lot more about the project, but I already did: I created a little booklet with credits, liner notes, background, and lots of amazing 14th-century images. It’s a free download from here:
I also created several videos. Here’s the first one:
I’ll be honored if you can spare the time to listen to this passion project. Thanks, friends!
I know blog comment sections aren’t exactly the last hot discussion place, but I can’t believe I’m the first to comment on this !
I’ve listened to the album several times, and just finished the interview you Did with Gretchen Menn. Very inspiring stuff !
On bridging the medieval with the contemporary, did you ever try playing pieces by Moondog ? A great friend of mine founded the Ensemble Minisym that does just that, and some stuff you have going on on your new record reminded me of them ! Great work, always happy to have kept the ancient technology of RSS readers around to know when you post on this website since I’ve left Facebook !
Thanks for the kind words, flürk! While I know who Moondog was, I’m pretty ignorant about his composition. Can you recommend a starting place?
Wtf that was amazing….
Can’t wait to hear the rest of the album.
Thanks, Kevin! I’m delighted that you dig it. 🙂