Derek Piotr is a folklorist, vocalist, and composer.[1][2]

Derek Piotr
Derek Piotr performing traditional music in 2021 in Brooklyn, NYC.
Derek Piotr performing traditional music in 2021 in Brooklyn, NYC.
Background information
GenresFolk
Experimental
Electronica
Electroacoustic
Glitch
Occupation(s)Folklorist, vocalist, composer
Instrument(s)Vocals, electronics
Years active2011–present
LabelsLINE Imprint
Trente Oiseaux
MonotypeRecords
DPSR
important drone records
Websitewww.derekpiotr.com

Career

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Piotr released the album Agora in 2011.[3] In 2012 his work was nominated for Prix Ars Electronica.[4]

In 2016, Piotr released the glitch album Drono.[5][6] Forest People Pop was released in 2017.[7][8]

His 2018 album Grunt was completed in collaboration with Kevin Drumm.[9] "Grunt" is the Polish word for "earth" or "dirt".[10] The album received mostly positive reviews,[11] with PopMatters describing the material as being "equipped with all of the hypnotic powers of its contemporaries"[12] and Cyclic Defrost calling it "intricately constructed and frequently jarring".[13]

He released the remix EPs Earth Edit and Underlined in 2018,[10][14] followed by Repeating Bloom in January 2019.[15] He released the album Avia in July 2019.[16]

At the end of 2019, Piotr began researching Appalachian folk music for a new solo album.[17] Through these folklore studies he discovered singer Lena Bare Turbyfill, whose last living daughter he tracked down and recorded in July 2020.[18]

He released his first folk single "Invisible Map" on January 1, 2021.[19] "Invisible Map"'s B-side is a rendition of the folk tune "Barbry Allen".[20] In 2021, Piotr released Making and Then Unmaking, his tenth studio album, which was heavily influenced by his time spent in Appalachia.[21][22]

Personal life

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Piotr sang in John Read Middle School’s choir and studied music theory and music appreciation at Joel Barlow High School.[23] Growing up in the woods of Redding, Connecticut, Piotr is a longtime outdoor enthusiast and draws inspiration from nature.[24][25]

Piotr is openly queer, stating, "I don’t want to rest on the privilege of assumption that I am a straight white male. I want to be truthful to where I’m coming from so I don’t get a free pass."[26]

References

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  1. ^ "Interview with artist Derek Piotr -". 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  2. ^ "Bubblin' Up: Derek Piotr". XLR8R. Archived from the original on 2018-10-13. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  3. ^ "Derek Piotr- "Remain"". The Needle Drop. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  4. ^ "The Quietus | Features | Rum Music | Experimental Sounds From Poland: A Rum Music Special". The Quietus. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  5. ^ "Derek Piotr "Sound"". XLR8R. 2016-05-02. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  6. ^ Bland, Benjamin; September 16, 2016 (16 September 2016). "Articulate Silences, Ambient Sounds #29". DrownedInSound. Archived from the original on 2017-01-01. Retrieved 2019-01-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "Review: Derek Piotr – Forest People Pop". www.attnmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  8. ^ Derek Piotr - Forest People Pop, retrieved 2019-01-03
  9. ^ "Premiere: Hear a Haunting Experimental Bass Track From Derek Piotr". XLR8R. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
  10. ^ a b "♫ Listen: Derek Piotr - "Earth Edit (Chaircrusher Remix)"". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  11. ^ "Derek Piotr :: Grunt (DPSR)". Igloo Magazine. 2018-10-26. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  12. ^ "Derek Piotr Clears His Digital Throat". PopMatters. 2018-10-29. Archived from the original on 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
  13. ^ "Derek Piotr – Grunt (DPSR)". Cyclic Defrost. 2018-10-06. Archived from the original on 2018-10-06. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
  14. ^ "Premiere: Derek Piotr - "Bhadrakali (The Lines Are All Dying Mix by Simon Whetham)"". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  15. ^ "♫ Listen: Derek Piotr - "Repeating Bloom (Simon Whetham)"". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  16. ^ "Derek Piotr – Avia (DPSR)". Cyclic Defrost. 2019-07-16. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  17. ^ "Songcatching "Bolakins"". Appalachian History. 2020-09-10. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  18. ^ Barber, Luke (7 October 2020). "An Appalachian odyssey in the art of songcatching". The Avery Journal-Times. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  19. ^ "Derek Piotr – Invisible Map (Single)". entropymag.org. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  20. ^ Doyle, Liam (2020-12-07). "Derek Piotr - Barbry Allen". Various Small Flames. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  21. ^ "Derek Piotr | 'Making and Then Unmaking' | Interview". It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  22. ^ Sloth, Beach. "Derek Piotr – Making and Then Unmaking". Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  23. ^ Diamond Fox, Sandra (February 23, 2018). "Redding songwriter creates unusual sounds with his voice" (PDF). Aspetuck News. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  24. ^ "Derek Piotr". zapbangmagazine.com. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  25. ^ Ryser, Rob (2019-06-16). "'Creamy chamber music' from Redding composer". CTInsider.com. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  26. ^ Doyle, Liam (2018-09-10). "Interview: Derek Piotr". Various Small Flames. Retrieved 2020-05-29.