long-form instrumental environments part 2
018. Hermanos Gutiérrez, SAULT, Duval Timothy, Michael Hedges, Lia Kohl + a Sig update
It’s going to be a big year for Sig Wilder & Friends! We’ve already had the pleasure of putting on an intimate show at our studio space with the wonderful Tessa de Lyon of Mystery Waitress (whom I praise in my 4th issue). Here is Tessa showcasing her amazing voice and songwriting.
We also had the opportunity to open for super-duo Pony Baby and blues-rock queen Ingrid & the Ministers (featured in my fav albums of 2023) who performed a mesmerizing solo set. Check out a little snippet from the show here:
We were joined by multi-instrumentalist Eli Henderson (Milk Tooth, Jilter Off Kilter) for our Performance Arcade festival slot. What a pleasure to have them onboard!
Also I’m now a member of my favorite band! Happy to announce that I’m joining as percussionist for the funk masters Tahini Bikini. Love this band so much.
This month I’ve been listening to a lot of instrumental music. There is a growing appreciating in me for genres like jazz, afro-cuban, ambient, and classical. Genres that have never really been a part of my musical vocabulary until now. I put it down to the fact that I was raised on and obsessed with the voice, particularly singers who convey a strong and catchy melody, aka pop music. As I grow older I’m drawn to less straight forward ways of making music. However I’m still a sucker for a good melody. I’d like to share several instrumental albums that have impressed and confused me.
El Bueno Y El Malo - Hermanos Gutiérrez
It seems so simple. Two brothers, two guitars. Their songs are vast landscapes in which you can lose yourself. I’m drawn to this 2022 release produced by the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach at his Easy Eye Sound Studio in Nashville. If you enjoy this, they have a rich catalog of western instrumental guitar music.
AIIR - SAULT
Romance. Glory. Victory. God. Pain. Fear. Hope. This is soundtrack music by the mysterious English group Sault. Not the vibe you are looking for, but the vibe you need. Ends with all the angels singing.
Meeting with a Judas Tree by Duval Timothy
With the piano at the center Duval Timothy makes magic with sound and rhythm. It’s the right amount of melody and chaos - a fine line many songwriters cannot navigate this smoothly.
Aerial Boundaries - Michael Hedges
This album came out in 1984 and is listed as New Age. I thought it was a new release… New Age alright. I found this album via Adrianne Lenker’s instagram. It has a wonderful ability to rise and fall with only the guitar. True talent.
The Ceiling Reposes - Lia Kohl
Dense sound design, rich string arrangements, and sparse piano weave in-between sound bytes of radio shows, nature environments, and percussive illusions. A beautiful work of art.
toodle oo,
Sig