Arthur Russell Archives

Reviews 1

Reissue Of The Week: Arthur Russell’s Picture Of Bunny Rabbit

Articles 8

Melody Without A Form: An Interview with Arthur Russell & Peter Gordon

In an exclusive extract from her new book *Transfigured New York: Interviews with Experimental Artists and Musicians, 1980-1990*, writer and radio host Brooke Wentz shares an interview from the WKCR-FM archives with pioneering Downtown musicians Arthur Russell and Peter Gordon talking ballet, rap music and ‘democratic music’

Art

Time After Time: Athanasios Argianas’ Hollowed Water Playlist

Drawing together sculpture and sound, the ancient and modern, Athanasios Argianas's show Hollowed Water inhabited Camden Arts Centre before the lockdown and is now available to view online. Here the artist shares some of the images and sounds that inspired the exhibition

Strange World Of...

The Strange World Of… Julius Eastman

In spite of a gradually accelerating reappraisal, a full portrait of composer Julius Eastman will most likely never surface, says Aimee Armstrong. Instead we’re left to track him through anecdotes, odd photographs and his politically charged and aggressively honest personal composition. A preview for this year's Intonal Festival.

A Quietus Interview

An Oral History Of Arthur Russell’s Tower of Meaning

Musicians from New York’s downtown scene remember their time with Russell ahead of the UK premiere of his 1983 orchestral masterpiece Tower of Meaning. Words by Emily Moore

Black Sky Thinking

A Place To Dream: Arcadia, The Kitchen & The History Of NY Lofts

With William Basinski's Arcadia Series opening this week in London, Robert Barry speaks with Basinski, Michael Gira and Rhys Chatham to trace the rich history of New York's artist-run loft spaces and the pioneering music they fostered

A Quietus Interview

Late Night City Sonics: An Interview With Peter Zummo

One of Peter Zummo's much-celebrated collaborations with the late Arthur Russell, Zummo With An X, was reissued this year by Optimo Music. Robert Barry caught up with Zummo via email to discuss his own musical history and channeling the sounds of the city

Books

Review & Excerpt: Hold On to Your Dreams: Arthur Russell

Tim Lawrence’s book breathes fresh and warm breath on the frost plate glass of Arthur Russell’s mysterious work, says Bernard Keenan.

Black Sky Thinking

The Best Of Arthur Russell For One Side Of A Cassette

David McNamee remembers the late Arthur Russell with an introductory compilation of music from the mercurial outsider

Baker’s Dozen Appearances 13

Baker's Dozen

A Gorgeous Haunting: Tom Ravenscroft’s Favourite Records

From 90s grunge and hip hop to contemporary ambient electronica, DJ Tom Ravenscroft tells Ben Graham about the 13 albums that give him the most listening pleasure, and developing his own musical interest away from the influence of his dad, the late John Peel. Tom Ravenscroft image courtesy of the BBC.

Baker's Dozen

Let It Happen: Paddy Shine’s Baker’s Dozen

Paddy Shine is one of the most relentless instigators in the underground, both as part of Gnod and in myriad other projects. Ahead of the release of the debut album by his weird folk group Moundabout alongside Phil Masterson on Rocket this summer, he guides Harry Sword through 13 vital slabs

Baker's Dozen

Moments In The Sun: Nite Jewel’s Favourite Albums

Nite Jewel takes us through the albums that inspired her latest record No Sun, from Miles Davis to Cluster, via digressions on the importance of bad karaoke and Nietzschean philosophy

Baker's Dozen

Taking Stock: Colleen’s Favourite Albums

In this week's Baker's Dozen, Colleen (aka Cécile Schott) takes Jude Rogers on a journey through her musical life, from car tapes to heartbreak, taking in Arthur Russell, Love, Low, GZA, The Green Arrows and much more along the way.

Baker's Dozen

Friends Of Mine: Rachel Aggs’ Favourite Music

Rachel Aggs takes Stephanie Phillips through the albums that made her the musician she is today, from Smokey Robinson to Robyn, Mahotella Queens to Sleater-Kinney. Portrait photo by Stephanie Gibson

Baker's Dozen

Music For Falling Through Life: Peter Broderick’s Favourite LPs

Ahead of his appearance at the Southbank Centre as part of Erased Tapes' tenth birthday celebrations later this year, Peter Broderick speaks to Elizabeth Aubrey about 13 records that inspired him, from Dylan to Arvo Part and Philip Glass

Baker's Dozen

While His Synth Gently Beeps: Benge’s Favourite Electronic LPs

We know you all love a bit of synth porn so here's Benge's Baker's Dozen - a sort of synth erotica reading, if you will, as he guides you through 13 electronic favourites from Morton Subotnick to Else Marie Pade and George Harrison's Moog explorations to Air and Autechre. Benge photo by Ed Fielding

Baker's Dozen

As Good As It Gets: How To Dress Well’s Favourite Albums

With his fourth album, Care, released earlier this year and a UK tour imminent, Tom Krell picks his top 13 LPs and tells Lottie Brazier why "the true value of bubbly pop music consists in its relationship with desperation"

Baker's Dozen

Club Members: Julianna Barwick’s Favourite Albums

From very long-term library loans and overnight camp-outs to chance shopping-mall buys and poster-based confusion, the composer gives Gary Kaill the stories behind 13 LPs she's listened to a "bazillion freaking times"

Baker's Dozen

Something Searing: Yannis Philippakis Of Foals’ Favourite Albums

Before the release of new album What Went Down, the Foals frontman gives Lisa Lavery his top 13 LPs, all records united by "people's voices that connect directly", moving through Arthur Russell, Pixies and Howlin' Wolf

Baker's Dozen

Beautiful Colours Everywhere: Dan Snaith Of Caribou’s Favourite LPs

Deep in the middle of a worldwide tour to promote his new album Our Love, Dan Snaith takes some time to pore over his favourite albums and tells Joe Clay about "the music that I grew up with"

Baker's Dozen

13 Different Ways: Nik Colk Void Of Factory Floor’s Favourite LPs

As Factory Floor release their debut album, we speak to Nik Colk Void about musical re-education and her favourite 13 LPs. They're a noisy bunch...

Baker's Dozen

Chance-Taking: Stephen McRobbie Of The Pastels’ Favourite Albums

With The Pastels releasing their first album in 16 years last week, original member Stephen McRobbie reveals the 13 albums that “defined his taste” and inspired his band