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

  • Album Streaming

C Z A R I N A Reigns Supreme, Conjuring Majestic Folk-Synth and Darkwave in Her New Album “Empire”

Resuscitating, ascending Augmenting reality Which is why I’ve never felt so Alive Riding the waves of her acclaimed album Arcana…

2 hours ago
  • Bands

Poison & Rain — Louisiana Alt-Rockers The Links Debut Psychedelic New Single “Sela”

Louisiana’s own The Links emerged from Lafayette’s sun-baked streets in the early 2010s, their sound a raw cut of Southern…

5 hours ago
  • Bands

Deliver Us From Evil — Vancouver Shoegaze Act Revolution Above Disorder Debuts Video for “The Flowers of Destruction”

Decadence and seduction Oblivion is coming Deliver us from evil The Flowers of Destruction Revolution Above Disorder, led by Irish-born…

5 hours ago
  • Bands

Toronto Shoegazers Rituals Debut Hazy Post-Punk Single “Illusions”

Toronto shoegaze outfit Rituals first stirred to life in 2009, a quiet experiment in Adam Seward’s small, dim room, where…

1 day ago
  • Bands

Filled with Fire — Swiss Cold Wavers Future Faces Unveil Video for “Neon Outlines”

Filled with fire Come to me Suspended with so much pleasure No matter how scared we may be To live…

1 day ago
  • Bands

Starlight Star Bright — Icelandic Trio Kælan Mikla Pull Down the Veil of Night in Their Video for “Stjörnuljós”

Be a starlight once more that guides me in the dead of night and when your fire weakens I shall…

2 days ago
Sticky Footer Banner with Close Button