Good morning.

Today we’re listening to Phill Niblock, an American composer and artist from Indiana. Niblock studied economics at Indiana University, briefly served in the army, and moved to New York to pursue photography.¹ In his Centre Street loft in the ‘70s, he began hosting hourslong performances featuring tape machines and live instruments.² In that space he also fostered the work of artists like John Cage and Arthur Russell. With respect to his music, we regard Niblock as the drone musician’s drone musician. We’re first playing G2, 44+/X2, which in 2002 emerged as an annual six-hour loft performance and in 2020 was recorded by guitarists Rafael ToraI and Kevin Drumm et al.³ On the record, nothing happens twice – to quote a review of Waiting for Godot – and by that we intend a huge compliment. We’re also playing Looking for Daniel, a 2023 collaboration with violinist and vocalist Biliana Voutchkova as well as two Netherlands-based ensembles Modelo62 and Scordatura. Niblock passed away on January 8.⁴

G2, 44+/X2 - Phill Niblock (60m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Bandcamp / Tidal

Looking for Daniel - Phill Niblock (40m, vocal notes on track one)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Bandcamp / Tidal

We wish you a great start to your week.