(August 2024) Episode 596 is JOHN OSWALD. A Canadian avant-garde composer, he is best known for Plunderphonics, a masterwork of tape editing and sound collage. While sampling existed before and would become standard as an additive within hip hop and other genres, Plunderphonics elevates sampling to the entirety of the art form. It was a sort of Bible to me, as Plunderphonics landed at a time when I was doing my own experiments with mashups on tape. Another notable work is Greyfolded, a collage made from more than 100 recordings of the Grateful Dead’s “Dark Star” over decades. Oswald’s work extends to instrumental avant-garde experimentalism, scores for dance, and other stuff.
Favorite album: Plunderphonics
Favorite song: Power
Favorite non-sample piece: Aparanthesi
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: Plunderphonics is essential; or try its extended compilation Plunderphonics 69/96.
Opus Project 