Rhys Chatham Mini Interview (playing ATP curated by Deerhunter in June)
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Rhys Chatham plays ATP curated by Deerhunter at Camber Sands, UK this June in collaboration with Oneida - tickets are on sale now.
Name Of Artist: Rhys Chatham
Hometown: Manhattan
Year Formed/Started Performing: 1971
Bio:
Legendary composer Rhys Chatham, “who toys with the expectations of amplified guitars so mirthfully in his punk-influenced orchestrations” (New York Times), is joined by the “Brooklyn psych alchemists” (Pitchfork) Oneida, whose performance at the recent All Tomorrow’s Parties USA festival was called “some of the best music I heard all weekend” by Ben Ratliff in the New York Times.
An early innovator and stalwart of the Brooklyn underground music scene, Oneida has been making genre-defying, decidedly uncompromising music for over a decade. Unhindered by limitations of time or energy, Oneida has also become known for their epic all day improvisational performances, most notably at recent All Tomorrow's Parties festivals. Their latest project is a triptych of albums collectively called Thank Your Parents started in 2008 with Preteen Weaponry, followed by 2009's triple-album Rated O and completed with 2011's Absolute II.
Do your best to describe your music in one sentence:
Composer, conductor and performer of extended time music for rock and brass formations or minimalist compositions, best known for composing and conducting large (100-200) ensemble orchestras, or guitar armies.
What are your most recent activities?
September 14, 2012, I presented the UK debut of Rhys Chatham: A CrimsonGrail for 100 electric guitars and 8 electric basses. The performance took place at the Liverpool Cathedral through the The Liverpool Biennial 2012 on the opening night being the first musician performance presented by the The Liverpool Biennial.
I am currently working on composing new guitar army material, most recently wrapping up a 20-minute piece for 6 electric guitars, electric bass and drums which was premiered at Palais de Tokyo in Paris in November 2012. The guitars are in special tunings in the soprano, alto and tenor ranges.
How excited are you to play this event?
I've been wanting to play at ATP for some time now, so I'm super excited to be invited, and also to have this opportunity to work together and play with my dear friends from Oneida.
Do you have a connection with Deerhunter / an idea why you were chosen to play?
Deerhunter are from Atlanta where Table of the Elements (who released or rereleased most of my guitar oriented material such as Die Donnergötterr, An Angel Moves to Fast too See, A Crimson Grail, etc.) was located for many years and I became familiar with them through that connection and on September 2, 2006, my band, which was called Rhys Chatham's Guitar Army shared a bill with Deerhunter at the Table of the Elements Festival No. 4 "Bohrium" (Festival Day Three: Propellers In Love) at the Eye Drum, Atlanta GA.
Which of your releases do you feel ATP attendees should check out first?
The main album to listen to would be, Die Donnergötter, The Thundergods. Anyone who hasn't heard it already should probably listen to Guitar Trio, originally written and performed in 1977 along with the self titled piece Die Donnergötter. But the whole record is a perfect exampe of my past work most related to what I am doing with Oneida.
It is hard not to recommend Two Gongs (1971 - listen on Spotify) and An Angel Moves Too Fast To See (Selected Works 1971-1989) + some of my more recent trumpet and guitar works found on Northern Spy's Outdoor Spell (2011).
A Crimson Grail, (Nonsuch 2010 - listen on Spotify) my piece for 100-400 electric guitars, which was recently mounted at the Liverpool Cathedral in the context of The Liverpool Biennial 2012 as previously mentioned, would also be of interest. This specific recording was from the 200 guitars and 16 basses outdoor performance that the Lincoln Center Outdoors Series 2009.
Is there one of your tracks you think specifically represents you best?
Guitar Trio Is My Life & Die Donnergötter (guitar compositions) + Corn Maiden’s Rite (trumpet work).
Are there any other currently confirmed bands you're excited about seeing?
I’m particularly excited to see my friends Chris and Tina play in Tom Tom Club, which I have never seen live. Also, it is always a pleasure to see what Kim Gordon and Ikue Mori are up to, I’m looking forward to that. Of course, I want to check out Kid Millions and Shahin Motia's (of Oneida) Ex-Models. And it is always a pleasure to play on the same bill or festival with my friend David Thomas of Pere Ubu. The last time we were on the same bill, the experiences in the dressing room before the concert were amazing! Our respective sets were pretty good, too!
If you were curating, name three bands you'd want to play your event...
Aside from Oneida: Band of Susans, Ut, Swans, John Cale.
If you could pick one record release in the last year which would you recommend?
Talibam! and Sam Kulik Discover Atlantis
What have your previous experiences at ATP been like? Any favourite memories?
This is my first time at ATP.