Andy Bell, celebrated for his work with iconic guitar bands Ride and Oasis, takes us on an unexpected journey into the world of electronic music. We chat about his latest project, Glok, and the new album "Alliance," crafted alongside Timothy Clerkin. Ride's early '90s shoegaze influence is unmistakable in his electronic creations, making for a fascinating blend of past and present musical elements. This episode touches on Andy's humility and creative spirit, offering a fresh perspective on his evolving musical path.
Our exploration of minimalism uncovers its surprising role as a common thread across diverse musical genres. Navigating personal music preferences often led to the term "psychedelia," yet it is minimalism that for him truly ties together interests ranging from post-punk to ambient sounds. Conversations about Ride's reunion reveal insights into how cultures and eras influence each other, emphasizing a continued evolution of sound. The authenticity of past musical revivals is questioned while finding genuine connections in minimalism and transcendence.
A transformative recording session in 2012 marks the beginning of Andy's electronic music journey, as he shares experiences with software and effects. Creating music during lockdown led to a serendipitous collaboration with Timothy Clerkin, highlighting the unpredictability of remote music production. We reflect on the influence of Andrew Weatherall and the tracks born from this unique partnership, with "Empyrean" standing out as a testament to Glok's sound.
“Alliance” by Glok and Timothy Clerkin is out now on Bytes and available here.
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Lost and Sound is sponsored by Audio-Technica
Paul’s BBC World Service radio documentary “The man who smuggled punk rock across the Berlin Wall” is available now on BBC Sounds. Click here to listen.
Paul’s debut book, Coming To Berlin: Global Journeys Into An Electronic Music And Club Culturet Capital is out now on Velocity Press. Click here to find out more.
Lost and Sound title music by Thomas Giddins