The Berklee guitar chair discusses her album 'Spaces' with percussionist Francisco Mela, how natural environments inspire her compositions, and the evolution from classical interpretation to improvisational freedom.
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The Spotlight shines On guitarist and composer Kim Perlak.
Kim chairs the guitar department at Berklee College of Music, where she's spent over a decade expanding from classical performance into composition and improvisation. Her new album, Spaces, is a collaboration with percussionist Francisco Mela. The record captures four nature-inspired suites that obliterate the lines between written music and spontaneous creation.
The project shows how Kim moved from performing exclusively new classical works to embracing improvisation and collaborative music-making. Recorded live in a single afternoon at a studio overlooking New Hampshire's Squam Lake, Spaces reveals Kim’s deep connection to the natural world and her belief in creating musical environments where artists can truly listen to each other.
Kim is here to share the story behind this unique project and discuss how creating space—both musical and personal—has shaped her approach to teaching and performing.
(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Kim Perlak & Francisco Mela’s album Spaces)
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0:01:49 - The origin story of the album "Spaces" and meeting Francisco Mela
0:05:23 - Francisco Mela's background and musical evolution
0:08:00 - The convergence of modern classical and improvisational music
0:09:23 - Navigating transitions from classical training to improvisation
0:14:57 - David Tronzo's advice: "just play"
0:15:56 - Familiarity with each other's musical traditions
0:20:44 - The striking color and sensitivity in the collaboration
0:21:39 - Collaboration versus solo performance
0:24:12 - Natural world as inspiration and translating environment into music
0:28:30 - Physical environment and compositional spaces
0:31:21 - Guitar-specific gear talk begins
0:36:11 - Recording studio experience at Yale University
0:36:55 - New Haven pizza debate and local memories
0:39:13 - String changing frequency and ping pong ball fingernails
0:40:48 - Thoughts on amp emulators and tone philosophy
0:43:47 - The spiritual dimension of music and being present
0:49:14 - Challenges for young artists in social media age
0:51:04 - Teaching philosophy and what she hopes to impart to students
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Visit Kim Perlak at https://www.kimperlak.com
and follow her on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kim.perlak
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/Kim-Perlak-Guitar-106091454494318
and YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCajK7sNUVzsD-xxxJp4miqA
Purchase Kim Perlak & Francisco Mela's Spaces from Sacred Black Records → https://www.sacredblackrecords.org/product/kim-perlak-and-francisco-mela-spaces
or Qobuz → https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/spaces-kim-perlak-and-francisco-mela/d4uaqoqbkajfc
and listen on your streaming platform of choice → https://album.link/i/1799292801
For extensive show notes, links, and podcast information, go to https://www.spotlightonpodcast.com
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