Ever wondered how an award-winning musician navigates an entire orchestra of analog synthesizers? Join us on this week's Lost in Sound as Paul sits down with Will Gregory, one half of Goldfrapp and head honcho of the Will Gregory Moog Ensemble. You'll hear about his journey from playing saxophone with Tears for Fears in the '80s to collaborating with industry giants like Peter Gabriel, The Cure, and Portishead in the '90s.
Discover the inspiration behind the Moog Ensemble's latest album, ignited by Wendy Carlos's "Switched-On Bach." Gregory sheds light on the unique challenges and nostalgic appeal of using vintage synthesizers, the logistics of live performances, and the thematic choice of making an album about Archimedes, connecting mathematics with music in unexpected ways. The pandemic reshaped his creative process, resulting in compositions that blend literal and abstract interpretations, akin to a film score for an imaginary biopic about the ancient mathematician.
Explore the ever-evolving landscape of music consumption with us, as we discuss the shift from detailed jazz albums to the instant gratification of digital platforms like TikTok. Gregory reflects on the impact of these changes on listening habits and the importance of live performances in sustaining the music industry. We also delve into the cultural and artistic shifts of the early '70s, highlighting the necessity of artistic growth and the continuous battle with creative uncertainty. This episode offers an intimate look at the artistic journey and evolution of an innovative musician who has consistently pushed musical boundaries.
Will Gregory Moog Ensemble - a Digital Deluxe edition of their debut album, Heat Ray: The Archimedes Project, set for release on Mute on 27 September 2024.
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Lost and Sound is sponsored by Audio-Technica
Paul’s BBC World Service radio documentary “The man who smuggled punk rock across the Berlin Wall” is available now on BBC Sounds. Click here to listen.
Paul’s debut book, Coming To Berlin: Global Journeys Into An Electronic Music And Club Culturet Capital is out now on Velocity Press. Click here to find out more.
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Lost and Sound title music by Thomas Giddins