[Pinto] seemed to mine the depths of every vocalism . . . from plainly spoken chant-like text to low grunts and guttural growls, a belty pop-tinged melody, and high-pitched screeches, 15 Photos utilizes every aspect of vocal production.
SSB AWAY is delighted to host composer, writer, and multi-disciplinary performer Paul Pinto for an artist residency this June on Plaza Blanca in Abiquiu, New Mexico. His multi-faceted work resides at the intersection of experimental theatre and electronic classical music and his imagination runs the gamut from the hilarious 3 Songs Near Omaha, Nebraska and the psychedelic opera Thomas Paine in Violence to a major new work he will be composing while in residence that utilizes such diverse sources as electronics, poems, stories, essays and improvisations on aging, masculinity, boxing, medieval epics, death, Biggie Smalls, erections, and love.
Paul founded the music collectives thingNY and Varispeed with whom he creates immersive, durational and dramatic chamber and electronic music. His latest album with Jeffrey Young is the operatic political satire Patriots, which had its fourth U.S. tour this summer. thingNY’s album minis/Trajectories features eight of his verbose chamber compositions. Paul has recently played the lead in Eight Songs for a Mad King, originated the role of Balaga in Broadway’s Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, arranged and performed the works of Robert Ashley, and premiered his own psychedelic electroacoustic opera Thomas Paine in Violence with Joan La Barbara. In September, Paul premiered and toured 15 Photos, a new song cycle for solo vocalist. Coming up: a new album from Varispeed, performances at the Kitchen, and commissions for Iktus Percussion, Cameron Leach, Quince, Kathleen Supove, Rhythm Method String Quartet, and Nouveau Classical Project.
“. . . dramatically lit passages of shadowboxing and growling vocalizations alternated with more angelic writing, and some furiously compressed renditions of medieval epics”
—New York Times
Paul Pinto on Twitter: @paulfpinto
Photo: Gretchen Robinette
SSB AWAY provides crucial time and space for artists to germinate ideas that might otherwise be marginalized during the intensity of public life and artistic production. An international network of residencies and retreats offer artists the agency to step away from career demands and public scrutiny, to rest and inhabit a nourishing space of creative sanctuary, solitude, access to nature, and multivalent privacy. The incubation process enables artists to play and experiment with emerging, unfamiliar, messy, or mysterious aspects of their practices. SSB AWAY currently offers retreats in New Mexico and Tuscany, Italy.