Derek Piotr is a folklorist, vocalist, and composer.[1][2]
Derek Piotr | |
|---|---|
 Derek Piotr performing traditional music in 2021 in Brooklyn, NYC. | |
| Background information | |
| Genres | Folk Experimental Electronica Electroacoustic Glitch |
| Occupation(s) | Folklorist, vocalist, composer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, electronics |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels | LINE Imprint Trente Oiseaux MonotypeRecords DPSR important drone records |
| Website | www |
Career
editPiotr released the album Agora in 2011.[3] In 2012 his work was nominated for Prix Ars Electronica.[4]
In 2016, Piotr released the glitch album Drono.[5][6] Forest People Pop was released in 2017.[7][8]
His 2018 album Grunt was completed in collaboration with Kevin Drumm.[9] "Grunt" is the Polish word for "earth" or "dirt".[10] The album received mostly positive reviews,[11] with PopMatters describing the material as being "equipped with all of the hypnotic powers of its contemporaries"[12] and Cyclic Defrost calling it "intricately constructed and frequently jarring".[13]
He released the remix EPs Earth Edit and Underlined in 2018,[10][14] followed by Repeating Bloom in January 2019.[15] He released the album Avia in July 2019.[16]
At the end of 2019, Piotr began researching Appalachian folk music for a new solo album.[17] Through these folklore studies he discovered singer Lena Bare Turbyfill, whose last living daughter he tracked down and recorded in July 2020.[18]
He released his first folk single "Invisible Map" on January 1, 2021.[19] "Invisible Map"'s B-side is a rendition of the folk tune "Barbry Allen".[20] In 2021, Piotr released Making and Then Unmaking, his tenth studio album, which was heavily influenced by his time spent in Appalachia.[21][22]
Personal life
editPiotr sang in John Read Middle School’s choir and studied music theory and music appreciation at Joel Barlow High School.[23] Growing up in the woods of Redding, Connecticut, Piotr is a longtime outdoor enthusiast and draws inspiration from nature.[24][25]
Piotr is openly queer, stating, "I don’t want to rest on the privilege of assumption that I am a straight white male. I want to be truthful to where I’m coming from so I don’t get a free pass."[26]
References
edit- ^ "Interview with artist Derek Piotr -". 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
- ^ "Bubblin' Up: Derek Piotr". XLR8R. Archived from the original on 2018-10-13. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
- ^ "Derek Piotr- "Remain"". The Needle Drop. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- ^ "The Quietus | Features | Rum Music | Experimental Sounds From Poland: A Rum Music Special". The Quietus. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
- ^ "Derek Piotr "Sound"". XLR8R. 2016-05-02. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- ^ Bland, Benjamin; September 16, 2016 (16 September 2016). "Articulate Silences, Ambient Sounds #29". DrownedInSound. Archived from the original on 2017-01-01. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Review: Derek Piotr – Forest People Pop". www.attnmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
- ^ Derek Piotr - Forest People Pop, retrieved 2019-01-03
- ^ "Premiere: Hear a Haunting Experimental Bass Track From Derek Piotr". XLR8R. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ a b "♫ Listen: Derek Piotr - "Earth Edit (Chaircrusher Remix)"". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- ^ "Derek Piotr :: Grunt (DPSR)". Igloo Magazine. 2018-10-26. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
- ^ "Derek Piotr Clears His Digital Throat". PopMatters. 2018-10-29. Archived from the original on 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ "Derek Piotr – Grunt (DPSR)". Cyclic Defrost. 2018-10-06. Archived from the original on 2018-10-06. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ "Premiere: Derek Piotr - "Bhadrakali (The Lines Are All Dying Mix by Simon Whetham)"". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- ^ "♫ Listen: Derek Piotr - "Repeating Bloom (Simon Whetham)"". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- ^ "Derek Piotr – Avia (DPSR)". Cyclic Defrost. 2019-07-16. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- ^ "Songcatching "Bolakins"". Appalachian History. 2020-09-10. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
- ^ Barber, Luke (7 October 2020). "An Appalachian odyssey in the art of songcatching". The Avery Journal-Times. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
- ^ "Derek Piotr – Invisible Map (Single)". entropymag.org. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
- ^ Doyle, Liam (2020-12-07). "Derek Piotr - Barbry Allen". Various Small Flames. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
- ^ "Derek Piotr | 'Making and Then Unmaking' | Interview". It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
- ^ Sloth, Beach. "Derek Piotr – Making and Then Unmaking". Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- ^ Diamond Fox, Sandra (February 23, 2018). "Redding songwriter creates unusual sounds with his voice" (PDF). Aspetuck News. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
- ^ "Derek Piotr". zapbangmagazine.com. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
- ^ Ryser, Rob (2019-06-16). "'Creamy chamber music' from Redding composer". CTInsider.com. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
- ^ Doyle, Liam (2018-09-10). "Interview: Derek Piotr". Various Small Flames. Retrieved 2020-05-29.