David Grubbs is an acclaimed musician and educator whose artistic practice transcends genre boundaries. His musical output, marked by an experimental approach and novel sonic landscapes, stems from a profound understanding of music history and contemporary trends. Grubbs's teaching experience and interdisciplinary work, including collaborations with renowned writers and visual artists, enrich his unique perspective on art. His writings for prominent arts publications further demonstrate his ability to critically reflect upon and shape the contemporary artistic landscape.
In his new book-length prose poem, David Grubbs draws on decades of recording experience, taking readers into the recording studio to tell the story of an unnamed musician who struggles to complete a film soundtrack in a day-long marathon recording session.
John Cage's disdain for records was legendary. It was shared by other experimental and avant-garde musicians in the 1960s. Scholar and longtime musician David Grubbs explores the present-day musical landscape, as listeners encounter experimental music through the recorded artifacts of composers and musicians who largely disavowed recordings.
Exploring the unique experiences of touring musicians, this book-length poem captures the essence of three decades in the music scene. David Grubbs reflects on diverse performances, from punk bands to digital collaborations, illustrating the daily challenges and transformations faced by artists. Each gig, regardless of audience reaction, becomes a lesson in the art of music-making. Through this journey, Grubbs emphasizes the profound, irreversible nature of creating music, celebrating the passion that drives artists to perform night after night.
David Grubbs explores the ephemeral nature of improvised music in Now that the audience is assembled, a prose poem that in its depiction of a fictional musical performance challenges common understandings of how and where music is composed, performed, and experienced.