Soft by Joe O'Connor
“Melbourne-based pianist and composer Joe O’Connor has taken a rewarding journey into the world of textural soundscape on Soft…This music shimmers with tension and energy….O’Connor constantly moves forward into an uneasy, exploratory semi-darkness. There’s a storm on the horizon, or we’ve left some turbulence just behind…It feels we’re looking through a viewing lens onto a hidden world.” - Loudmouth / The Music Trust
"I assembled the four tracks that comprise Soft at a time of musical transitions. I came of age in the jazz scene at a time when many of my peers (mostly men) were enamored by an impressive and forceful brand of virtuosity. ‘Go hard or go home’ was the prevailing mentality and many insecurities were masked by intensity, complexity and swagger. In a sense, Soft chronicles my disavowal of this musical ethos over the last handful of years. It explores fragility, insecurity, anxiety and doubt with patience and attentiveness. These experiences are powerful and relatable, and have shaped a collection of music that I believe is honest, nuanced and possibly even therapeutic for some listeners.
A virtual chamber aesthetic emerges through gradual changes, quiet moments, subtle modulations and fractured repetitions. I developed these pieces through iterative processes of improvisation and editing, aiming to create music that is tactile, immediate and always engaged with the character and potential of each sound.
Many thanks to Lizzy Welsh whose beautiful violin work furnished the final moments of House with a delicate energy that is both restless and ethereal; Tilman Robinson who mixed the tracks and added depth and impact with his enhancements to the production; and Lawrence English whose skilful mastering ensured that these recordings sound as good as they can be.
My gratitude also goes to Rachael Archibald who created an arresting video artwork to accompany Machine Needle, and whose other-worldly creation graces the album cover."
Joe O'Connor, 2020
Machine Needle video by Rachael Archibald: https://vimeo.com/468096500
Tracklist
| 1. | House | 12:22 |
| 2. | Organ Double | 9:40 |
| 3. | Machine Needle | 7:01 |
| 4. | Strad | 8:36 |
Videos
Credits
Recorded and constructed by Joe O’Connor in his home studio between 2017-2019, using a Welmar grand piano (played traditionally and inside), prepared antique Ibach grand piano, prepared antique Strad upright piano, harmonium, melodica, Hammond organ, trombone, cornet, zither, field recording and samples.
House features Lizzy Welsh – Violin and baroque violin
Production enhancements and mixing by Tilman Robinson
Album artwork and video artwork for Machine Needle by Rachel Archibald
Mastered by Lawrence English
