Image
Bands

Take a Journey Across the World Music New-Wave of Bob Gaulke’s “Obviously”

I come from a long line of well-intentioned people

carrying half-burnt ideas deep into trouble

Self-described as a “rootless cosmopolitan,” composer Bob Gaulke’s recent offering, Obviously, is a fascinating mix of Brazilian beats, synths, tropicalia, ska, and breezy lounge vibes.

The album also features collaborations with kindred spirits, including oft-psychedelic vocals by the effervescent Emilia Cataldo and guitar work by Marco Raaphorst.

“Obviously is the first fruit of a more than decade-long friendship with Marcos Kuzka Cunha,” Gaulke explains. “Marcos came to stay in NYC back then and we hit it off immediately. Well, Marcos hits it off with everybody as he’s sort of a one-man carnival…I typically send him vocals, guitars, and loops, and he does the rest, chopping my stuff up, then adding all sorts of strange sounds and parts from keyboards, basses, cavaquinhos, and more. As we both have limited attention spans, everything counts in a Kuzka arrangement and it all dazzles.”

The new wave elements of Scritti Politti, The Colourfield, The Monochrome Set, and The Selecter are prevalent in Obviously, the latter particularly in “Human Shield”. The smooth interplay between Gaulke and Cataldo is rich, vibrant, and, quite frankly, a delightful vibe: a welcome moment in times of chaos. If Lou Reed had gotten a cavaquinho and joined forces with Sergio Mendes, and a few moments of Blur, you’d have Gaulke.

Gaulke is a regular collaborator on NYC stages with Gil Oliveira, Martin Scian, Matt Carrillo, Kevin Cerovich, Emilia Cataldo, Peri Mason, Suely Mesquita, Richard Von Sturmer, and Pavlo Terekhov. Hailing from The Bronx, Gaulke grew up with the first wave of post-punk as well as the likes of luminaries such as John Cale, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Caetano Veloso.

“As we might translate from Japanese, please enjoy my humble music.”

Listen to “Obviously” below”

Follow Bob Gaulke:

Alice Teeple

Alice Teeple is a photographer, multidisciplinary artist, and writer. She is not in Tin Machine.

Recent Posts

  • Art

Darkwave Trio Corlyx Colour Outside The Lines in Their New Single “Zombie Kid” — Plus Announce New Album “Purple Pain”

Darkwave trio Corlyx is a band that boldly colors outside the lines of traditional genre conventions, redefining the contours and…

18 hours ago
  • Art

French Synth Act Minuit Machine Returns With the Video for Their Resilient New Single “Hold Me”

They way they tore me apart Like I’m a corpse they wanna ditch They way they sold me for parts…

20 hours ago
  • Bands

Ballerinas Twirl in the Video for Los Angeles Post-Punk Artist Indiana Bradley’s Luminous New Single “Silent Moon”

It is a quiet devastation, a weight that presses without end. The realization unfolds not in a sharp moment but…

2 days ago
  • Song Premiere

Karolina Bnv Reimagines Classic New Beat with “Germany Calling”

In the history of new beat, there are few more memorable samples than "Germany calling." Taken from a Lord Haw-Haw…

2 days ago
  • Bands

Stella Rose Debuts Video for Smoldering Alt-Rock Anthem “HOLLYBABY”

Today, New York City's rising singer-songwriter Stella Rose drops her latest single and lyric video for HOLLYBABY, the title track…

3 days ago
  • Bands

Kim Deal Serenades a Flamingo in Her Surreal Video for “Nobody Love You More”

Perfect hosts and room ghosts shout I don't care what they say They can fight it out I mean to…

3 days ago
Sticky Footer Banner with Close Button