65. Derek Piotr

Illustration by Lani Morrison

Folklorist and recording artist Derek Piotr lives in Connecticut, and was introduced to me by Dollar Country host Franklin Fantini, who you might remember from a bonus episode from October 2021. Derek’s released several albums of experimental and electronic music this century (see listening links below), but in recent years has shifted his focus to collecting folks songs as remembered by folks. He has traveled here and abroad collecting field recordings which he’ll be sharing with us today. I spoke with Derek last spring in Connecticut. Today he’s sharing anecdotes working both locally and abroad, being in cahoots with both legendary underground radio station WFMU and the Library of Congress, working with acclaimed 20th century composers, and preserving oral tradition by documenting the life of the song, and his latest album The Devil Knows How. We also swap some found tape and field recordings. You know, regular stuff.

Recommended Listening:

Derek’s fieldwork-archive.com is the place to find his ever-growing archive of field recordings and journals, several of which are heard on this episode.

His latest record, The Devil Knows How reflects the folklorist side of Derek Piotr the musician. A daring and honest approach to roots music.

Avia, a lush electronic record that among many things includes Derek’s tape recordings of his grandmother interwoven into a fluffy sonic blanket.