#4126: “Simple Answers” with Charlie Looker
Singer, composer, and guitarist Charlie Looker joins us to discuss his recent album, Simple Answers. He discusses his motivation and inspiration for the piece, rooted in a worry about the rise in fascistic tendencies and extremism. From those ideas a dark and beautiful song cycle emerges with expansive sonic textures, unique orchestration, and powerful vocals. Charlie and John talk about literary and artistic influences on the album from Yukio Mishima and Julia Kristeva along with lyrical symbolism that is woven throughout the piece.
The music on this album has varied roots - with elements of modern classical music, black metal, electronics, and renaissance music. Then there is the roster of players - musicians from the International Contemporary Ensemble, Wet Ink Ensemble, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, are all involved, and they provide a unique sound to this collection of art-songs.
While there may be no simple answers to the chaos caused by new waves of fascist psychology, Looker’s musical take on these complicated questions sinks its teeth into important questions with strong music. (-Anthony Dean)
PROGRAM #4126: Simple Answers with Charlie Looker (First aired 6/13/2018)
ARTIST: Charlie Looker
WORK: Ritual Fire [1:50]
RECORDING: Simple Answers
SOURCE: Last Thing Records
INFO: charlielooker.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Charlie Looker
WORK: What Dawn is This (Overture) [6:26]
RECORDING: Simple Answers
SOURCE: Last Thing Records
INFO: charlielooker.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Charlie Looker
WORK: Fascist Moments [10:06]
RECORDING: Simple Answers
SOURCE: Last Thing Records
INFO: charlielooker.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Charlie Looker
WORK: Puppet [8:53]
RECORDING: Simple Answers
SOURCE: Last Thing Records
INFO: charlielooker.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Charlie Looker
WORK: What Dawn is This (Return) [4:32]
RECORDING: Simple Answers
SOURCE: Last Thing Records
INFO: charlielooker.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: M. Lamar
WORK: Trying To Leave My Body [6:20]
RECORDING: Speculum Orum - Shackled to the Dead
SOURCE/INFO: mlamar.com
