4 days ago
Spoleto Festival artist feature: Phillip Golub
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Modern age composer, improviser, and pianist, Phillip Golub, graced the Spoleto Festival with his highly expressive and original sound.
Loyal festival goers might have recognized him from last year, as he was a part of an opera project called Ruinous Gods, written by Layale Chaker.
However, this year marked an exciting milestone in Golub's musical career as it was his first year presenting his original work at the festival.
'It was a special opportunity for me, really the first of its kind in my career, to have a focused spotlight on my work and present it in front of audiences at a high-profile festival,' said Golub.
What can listeners expect to hear from this new age composer? Music rooted in—but not restricted by—his dynamic practice in jazz, creative music, and new music.
However, Golub's music is not constrained by labels. He sates, 'we sort of have to describe our music as in terms of genres or terms that are agreed upon by the world so people have a basic reference point on what we do, but I think I can speak for many musicians that I know, maybe all musicians I know, that we don't see our music divided into these categories, it's all music just for us and we draw upon our influences freely and it's one thing, it's my music.'
Each night at the festival, Golub offered his artistry in a variety of different formats.
The first night was a solo piano performance, and according to Golub, it was the first time presenting a full-length solo piano program. 'I crafted it specifically for Spoleto and for these performances,' Golub said.
The second night was with drummer Leslie Bock, as they presented themselves under the name 'dream brigade.' Golub states that 'this project is heavily improvisation-based; we also play compositions, play standards, but the core of what we do is improvisation.'
According to Golub, improvising might not be what you think it is. 'Leslie and I have practiced improvising, and we do specific things that might not be written down on paper, might not be planned, but we know what they are, and there are zones that we like to get into. We know how to listen to each other in certain ways. While it is improvising, it's been prepared,' Golub explains.
The third night, Golub presented his music with a quintet that consisted of an electric guitar, cello, piano, and drums. They played songs off their album, Abiding Memory. Golub expressed, 'We've been working on that music for years now, and it was really special to bring it to Spoleto.'
Golub stated that he started to play piano at age five. Although he may be an expert in his craft, Golub expressed that he is always learning.
'I am a pianist. I think there is a lifelong process of discovery, figuring out one instrument, that I feel like I am still very much at the beginning of,' he said.
When it comes to creating new music, Golub states that 'I have a phase of all creative processes that I would essentially describe as 'messing around.' I sort of set up a rough frame, and I have to spend some time with my hands in the clay before I put pen to paper; what that is depends on the project.'
Interested listeners can discover his music here.
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