ianwalkermusic-blog

[ianwalkermusic-blog]

Gesture+Music

I’m so fascinated by the work of singers who move. Björk, Kate Bush, Meredith Monk. I’m not very attracted to more mainstream dance videos, but I love abstract or semi-narrative movement along with music. It’s one of the things I’d like to be able to do–to feel wether or not a song calls for movement, dancing, or whatever. With the people I mentioned, it feels like they’re putting their whole body, their whole being, into the music. there’s no room for self-consciousness or holding back. 

I don’t know where to go with this interest, because it’s scary for me to move. I’m my own worst enemy, and I’m acutely aware of my physical awkwardness. It’ll take me some time to really commit to this.

[ianwalkermusic-blog]

A few words about vocal style on Unremembered by Sarah Kirkland Snider, one of the artists I would label part of the new “indie classical” music (primarily out of Brooklyn, centered around the label New Amsterdam):

I love the way Shara Nova (of My Brightest Diamond, a favorite musician of mine with a bunch of collaborations under her belt) sings on pretty much everything she does, this record included. She hits a great mixture of refinement and expression. I feel like everything she does, each sound, has intention and is well executed. At the risk of sounding critical, I can’t say the same thing about DM Stith, who sings the male part on this recording. There is real expression and interest in his vocal performance, but, in my opinion, it lacks the refinement that is present in almost every other aspect of this music. The songs are structured and written beautifully, the instrumental performances are captivating and well orchestrated, the electronics add an interesting element (though I’m not big on electronic music in general), and there is a great sense of poetic mystery and narrative. It bothers me, not because I object to what Stith is doing specifically, but because it sticks out– it doesn’t fit with the rest of the pieces. Where are the male vocalists working in this vein? Timur Bekbosunov (of Timur & The Dime Museum), William Sharp, Roomful of Teeth, and Devone Tines, (and likely other’s I’m not thinking of) are doing interesting work, but it seems to me that male vocalism is still more gendered across the board. That is a positive thing about Stith’s performance–it doesn’t read as trying to ‘sound’ any particular way, other than perhaps a bit of put-on ‘mysteriousness’. There are a lot more exciting female artists around: Lucy Dhegrae, Shara Nova, Kate Soper, Carolyn Shaw.

[ianwalkermusic-blog]

The Punch Brothers are a great example of so many things to me. Cool, enjoyable and artful music that is accessible, fun, expressive, and shows some real skill and chops. Each of the band members contributes something unique and special to the group, and Thile leads the group in an extremely inclusive and collaborative way. They pull from all sorts of styles to create their unique acoustic sound. I love how ‘unfiltered’ it sounds. I need to write about this more, there’s so much good stuff there.

[ianwalkermusic-blog]

A great example of a successful classical mixture. Beautiful songs performed beautifully without the emotional removal usually present in classical performance. I want to create a whole show with this kind of material!!

[ianwalkermusic-blog]

I love most of the things that Kate has done – there’s a very particular flavor of flowing sorrow and heartache that Kate does in an amazing way. There’s no comment in the performance, it’s simple, direct, and heartfelt without wallowing.

[ianwalkermusic-blog]

Joyce, as usual, SLAYS this performance. 1000% commitment, and excellent musical/dramatic choices. Ugly and beautiful in exactly the right way. It is controlled, but appears completely out of the character’s control

[ianwalkermusic-blog]

I keep returning to this performance. Vital, alive, seemingly spontaneous, infinitely musical and expressive. I love the simple, humble choreography by Peter Sellars. The music shows all my favorite aspects of Handel: Naturalistic phrases, and a really tasteful mixture of simplicity and complexity. The structure is clear, beautiful, and emphasizes the text.