Gregory Paul Mineeff Interview on Nagamag.com

Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Gregory Paul Mineeff:
Ambient, Modern-classical, Electronic, Downtempo, Chillout, analog textures, analog and acoustic instruments, alternative.

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Gregory Paul Mineeff:
I am a composer, multi-instrumentalist from Wollongong, Australia. I began my life as a musician beginning with piano but stopped to pursue the guitar and rock music. As a teenager I was obsessed with the electric guitar, fixated on the music of Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, ACDC and Pink Floyd. Jimi Hendrix's music and the way he constructed melodies and harmonies, as well as his improvising, has always fascinated me. Along the way I became interested in music for film and classical music and began collecting and playing as many acoustic instruments as I could. Piano became a fixture in my life and I began composing simple minimal piano pieces, collecting many over the years. No matter what instrument it is, my fascination with music is always around the act of creating something new, composing and constructing a new piece of wonder. I composed my album GRIND in response to the beautiful natural surroundings of my home in Wollongong and since releasing this album have enjoyed collaborating with many artists around the world. My second full length album After Today was released in January and I am looking forward to seeing how it goes about finding its place in the world.

Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Gregory Paul Mineeff:
I have always loved music and it has always been something that just felt right to me. From the first time experiencing music from my grandmother's organ to the music classroom at school I knew it was for me. I was always into music of the 60's, 70's, 80's and early 90's with it playing constantly in my home whether it be Pink Floyd or Dire Straits. The music that really connected with me at that time was Nirvana. I loved the rawness of the music, the edginess to it, the minimalistic and simple nature of each song really resonated with me. The minimal aesthetic of those compositions influences me to this day. Music was the way I identified my place in the world as a teenager and the place I sought refuge. I made many cassette tape recordings of instrumental guitar pieces and experiments throughout this time. Following from this I loved the improvisation style of Jimi Hendrix, particularly pieces like Little Wing. His edginess and always being on the edge makes his style particularly appealing. I love the work of Nick Cave, the simplicity of the compositions and the rawness are always an inspiration. As time went on I became interested in music for film, particularly the work of Danny Elfman, and I absolutely adore Neil Young's score for the Jim Jarmusch film Dead man. I was always seeking out rawness in music and artists I felt were risking a little, pushing boundaries, which led me to the work of Bjork. Her music is always a beautiful departure from the ordinary. It also connected me to the world of electronic music and the infinite possibilities available for modern composers and musicians. Another artist I respect enormously is Radiohead and the solo work of Thom Yorke. I am endlessly fascinated by their boundless creativeness and the unique music and place they have created. Boards of Canada and the world they have created for themselves to exist is an endless source of inspiration as are the minimal piano compositions of Philip Glass. All of these artists have influenced my current music in various ways. The artist who has perhaps inspired me the most though, is Yann Tiersen. I adore his solo piano work and everything he has done, the album Skyline being my favourite with the track The Gutter a particular favourite. Ultimately, my love of music is in the act of creation and the immediacy of this construction. I absolutely love and am influenced by literature, art and music and my response to this and my own creation of art is an integral part of the process.

Nagamag:
What Are you working on at the moment (Jan. 2020)?

Gregory Paul Mineeff:
I am fascinated by vintage analog instruments, analog synthesisers, electric pianos, tape effects and acoustic pianos. and I am working on composing more solo piano pieces. My goal is to be as simple as can be while conveying a sense of melody. I am also working on performing my new album After Today live with film projection and look forward to developing this project. I always look forward to more collaborative projects too.

Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Gregory Paul Mineeff:
Foo Fighters "Exhausted"

Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Gregory Paul Mineeff:
Yann Tiersen "Penn ar Lann"