This track was created from a single sample of a clothesline being plucked. The electronics manipulate the sound to create a fun dance tune.

Clothesline

Mushrooms

This piece is, first, a study in opposites. Glamour is effervescent, shimmering, and at times, tacky. In the same breath, Gore uses similar textures to colour a darker landscape; one that is ostentatious, violent, and vulgar. 

These two movements, for me, embody a kind of dichotomy in queer culture. A drag queen’s sequin gown, confetti in the air, contrasted with the grotty club she dances in. The idea of glamour has roots in the medieval ideas of shapeshifting and is something that has become a center point of queer culture since the late 60s. In the Harlem Ballroom Scene, ‘glamour,’ ‘serving realness,’ and ‘opulence’ worked as escape from the harsh reality of being gay in a world that doesn’t accept a so-called ‘lifestyle’. This idea of a facade covering the more gorey side is to be embraced, as you cannot have one without the other. 

As radical queerness has become overshadowed by its more palatable, softer, and less garish cousin, I want to ask: ‘Why do people feel the need to censor their queerness?’ 

This piece is one for the kid who was always told they were ‘too much’.

Glamour and Gore are dedicated to my teacher and mentor, Emily Howard.

This piece was performed by the RNCM Brand New Orchestra, conducted by the amazing Joseph Sieber. This piece couldn't have come together without his help!

A special thank you to Christopher Cook who mastered the audio!

Gore

Glamour

Performed on 14th December at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance as part of the Rude Health Festival. 

Music for mixed ensemble alongside footage from my childhood :)

Many thanks to all the wonderful musicians who helped me bring this to life:

Piccolo: Zehao Zhou
Flute: Hanna Wozniak
Clarinet: Stephanie Clark 
Bassoon/Contrabassoon: Georgina Taylor 
Trumpet: Dan McKay
Trombone: Jacob Smallwood 
Xylophone: Marika Tsuchiya
Timpani: Cameron reed
Violin 1: Andrew Liddel 
Violin 2: William Rolt
Viola: Jamie Elless
Cello: Lydia Wang
Double Bass: Sam Pugh

Siblings

REMNANTS - For Flexible Ensemble
Composed by: Sam Pugh
Performed by: RIOT Ensemble & Sam Pugh

Wabisabi

MX

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