Dronin' and microtonin'

January 10, 2024 3:55 PM

The magnificent, minimalist avant-garde composer and filmmaker Phill Niblock, who explored microtones like nobody else, died a few days ago at age 90. (Pitchfork obit/The Quietus obit.) Niblock's austere yet playful compositions, which he preferred to have performed at high volumes, are truly felt as much as heard. To honor his legacy, The Wire has made a 2006 article on him free for 30 days.

Niblock inspired and collaborated with everyone from Glenn Branca to Sonic Youth to Sunn 0))). I personally find his music at once calming, exciting, amusing, and a little exhausting (but in a good way).

- Phill Niblock on Bandcamp
- Phill Niblock on Spotify
- 2015 BOMB magazine article on Phill Niblock
- 2009 interview with Phill Niblock
- A short, 2014 article that I happened to write about Phill Niblock. He was a charming, gracious interview, and I became a fan on the day we talked. Rest in peace, Phill.

posted by Dr. Wu (13 comments total)

Two records of his that became hugely important to me are Four Full Flutes and the compilation A Young Person's Guide to Phill Niblock. Along with works like Terry Riley's "Poppy Nogood" (in all its variations), they helped unlock an almost psychotropic trance state that brought a new kind of vividness to my dreams. Unfortunately, his pieces have the exact opposite effect on my current pair of cats, who are driven absolutely nuts by any kind of long held tone, so it's been a few years since I've been able to fully indulge. But I'll always be grateful for the experience of his music.

(In 2013, I made this very silly plunderphonic mashup of "P K & S L S" and an old Glenn Hauser shortwave news bulletin, which I'm putting here because I've had nowhere else to share it for the last 11 years.)
posted by mykescipark at 4:18 PM on January 10 [6 favorites]

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He had a good ‘tude, made good tunes.
posted by ignignokt at 5:32 PM on January 10

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posted by adekllny at 5:51 PM on January 10

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posted by q*ben at 6:03 PM on January 10

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posted by evilDoug at 6:18 PM on January 10

I recognize the name from one of my favorite recordings. Concert at Phil Niblock's Loft - Suzanne Ciani. Thanks for this post OP, I am excited to learn more about him in this thread.

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posted by drowsy at 6:20 PM on January 10 [1 favorite]

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posted by niicholas at 7:19 PM on January 10

Saw some shows at his loft. Master of the craft. RIP.
posted by Liquidwolf at 7:30 PM on January 10 [1 favorite]

I remember seeing a show at his loft and it was quite an experience. RIP Phil.
posted by Umami Dearest at 8:29 PM on January 10 [1 favorite]

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posted by falsedmitri at 8:41 PM on January 10

Saw Sunn o))) recently and now I'm listening to some of Niblock's bandcamp offerings in headphones. It's easy to see the inspiration that Stephen O'Malley drew from Phil.
posted by schyler523 at 8:23 AM on January 11

CDM has a good write up - https://cdm.link/2024/01/phil-niblock-unstoppable/
posted by 12bits at 1:17 PM on January 11

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posted by Kattullus at 1:39 PM on January 11 [2 favorites]