Podcast Summary: Jokermen Podcast - In Conversation with David Longstreth
Episode Details:
- Title: In Conversation: DAVID LONGSTRETH
- Release Date: April 4, 2025
- Host: Ian (Jokermen Podcast)
- Guest: David Longstreth, the creative force behind Dirty Projectors
Introduction to David Longstreth and His Latest Endeavor
Ian welcomes David Longstreth to the Jokermen Podcast, highlighting David's significant contributions to the music world, particularly through his work with Dirty Projectors. Ian expresses excitement about David's latest project, Song of the Earth, describing it as a "crazy, wild, huge, heavy, orchestral composed symphonic piece" (00:00). He praises the record as "one of the coolest, craziest, most unexpected, best records I've heard this whole year" (01:30), setting the stage for an in-depth discussion about its creation and impact.
The Genesis of Song of the Earth
David Longstreth delves into the origins of Song of the Earth, explaining that the project began as a collaboration with his German conductor friend, Andre Deritter, from the chamber music group Stargaze (04:45). The idea was to create a piece that melded orchestral and symphonic elements, a departure from David's usual rock-oriented work. He shares how the project was initially conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic when life circumstances, including his wife's pregnancy, influenced the timeline and his creative process (06:00).
Quote:
"It starts off as just a chamber music commission. And for me, there was something about that that was a little bit of a gauntlet thrown down to myself, which is like, can I make a piece of music that's not an album?" (06:30)
Influence of Mahler and Transition to Songwriting
David explains his inspiration drawn from Gustav Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde (Song of the Earth), highlighting its blend of orchestral song form and symphonic structure (07:50). He reflects on translating classical Chinese poetry with Buddhist themes into his work, aiming to capture the essence of nature and transformation without explicitly focusing on climate change.
Quote:
"I found that over the course of writing about just trying to do nature poetry, like Buddhist nature poetry, but write it kind of like, as me, I just found that like, this is weird. This is weird to write about mountains and trees and stuff." (08:50)
Evolution of the Project and Integration of Songs
Initially intended as a purely orchestral piece, David recounts how Song of the Earth evolved into a collection of songs. This transition occurred as he realized that his natural inclination was to write songs, leading him to merge orchestral compositions with lyrical elements. The result is an album that balances grand orchestral arrangements with accessible songwriting, creating a unique listening experience.
Quote:
"From late 2021 until when I finished it last year, I was trying to find the arc within that... It was really working on transitioning from a piece of concert music to a collection of songs." (09:30)
Recording and Performance Challenges
David discusses the complexities of scoring music for live performances, particularly the challenges of ensuring that orchestral scores are precise and executable by musicians unfamiliar with the piece. He contrasts this with the spontaneity of rehearsing with a band, where improvisation and "happy accidents" play a significant role.
Quote:
"With scored music, it's exactly the opposite. The score needs to say literally everything just complete, like written out instructions for people that you may have never met before." (14:21)
Collaborations and Artistic Influences
The conversation shifts to David's collaboration with Andre and the influence of conducting on his music. David praises Andre's ability to bring organic flow and emotional depth to the performances, contrasting it with the rigid structures often imposed by modern recording techniques.
Quote:
"The way Andre ebbs and flows with time was magical. It sounds, again, self-evident. Of course, music does flow organically. But so much of the music that we listen to that's recorded this century is recorded to a clock." (44:10)
David's Substack and Broader Creative Pursuits
David introduces his Substack, Well Tempered Zealot, explaining the play on words with Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier. He shares how writing serves as a complementary process to his musical endeavors, allowing him to explore and articulate complex ideas that inform his compositions.
Quote:
"The pun doesn't really go anywhere about it, but I started liking that combination of words... writing invites me to drill down on, like, well, wait a minute, what exactly am I thinking about." (47:08)
Reflections on the Music Industry and Personal Optimism
Ian and David reflect on the current state of the music industry, touching upon San Francisco's evolving tech and artistic scene. David conveys a sense of optimism about the city's future despite recent challenges, emphasizing the sunlit beauty and the potential for artistic resurgence.
Quote:
"Time to be alive up here." (18:36)
Future Projects and Ongoing Creativity
Looking ahead, David hints at the possibility of expanding Song of the Earth into a four-part series, indicating that the project is far from complete. He expresses enthusiasm about future recordings, balancing the grandeur of orchestral works with more straightforward songwriting.
Quote:
"Maybe Song of the Earth is actually four parts. And I've just made the first one. That's how I've been feeling recently." (61:21)
Closing Thoughts and Highlighting Favorite Tracks
In the concluding part of the conversation, Ian shares his personal connection to the track "Gimme Bread," describing how it resonates deeply with him during everyday activities like cooking. David expresses appreciation for Ian's support and enthusiasm for the album.
Quote:
"Gimme Bread is just like, I can't... that song, man, just fucking knocks me on my ass every time." (62:52)
Final Remarks: Ian wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to experience Song of the Earth, performed by Dirty Projectors and Stargaze, praising its visionary and bold accomplishments that align perfectly with the spirit of the Jokermen Podcast.
Quote:
"Neither fantastic visionary, big, bold accomplishments. Exactly what we're always looking to listen to here on Jokerman." (67:34)
Conclusion: This episode of the Jokermen Podcast offers an intimate glimpse into David Longstreth's creative process, exploring the intricate blend of orchestral composition and songwriting that defines Song of the Earth. Through thoughtful discussion and insightful quotes, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the artistic journey behind this ambitious project and the collaborative efforts that bring it to life.