Greg Davis

The classically-trained Greg Davis, who has largely helped to define subgenres such as folktronica, laptop folk, and pastoral electronica, creates intricate and subtle compositions that merge organic, computer-generated sounds with warm, natural tones, live instrumentation, and field recordings, while referencing artists like Boards of Canada, Brian Wilson and the Incredible String Band. At Depaul University in Chicago, Davis studied classical and jazz guitar, as well as composition and Jazz Studies. In 1996, after years of working with hip-hop groups, jazz combos, free improvisation, and experimental composition, Greg Davis turned to computer-based music. In 1997, Davis started his own label, Autumn Recordings, and in 1999 moved to Boston to pursue his Master's degree in composition, which he received in 2001. By that time, Davis had become a fixture on the Boston experimental music scene, performing solo and as Parallel, with Don Mennerich. That year also saw the release of a various artists CD called Autumnature on Davis' imprint, and the Clouds as Edges 7" on Grounded Records. In February of 2002, Carpark Records released Arbor, Davis' full-length debut, which would set the tone for his often whimsical and bucolic electronic pieces. In August of that year, Davis moved back to Chicago and began work on his follow-up record while touring extensively and globally. He has played with such influential acts as Animal Collective, Hrvatski, the legendary :zoviet*france:, David Grubbs, Blectum From Blechdom, Jan Jelinek, and Ogurusu Norihide. May of 2002 brought a split 7" on Autumn with Don Mennerich and in 2003, Davis put out a record on Melektronikk (the Precursors 7") and a live CD (Mort Aux Vaches) on experimental mainstay Staalplaat. Curling Pond Woods -- Greg Davis' sophomore release -- carries laptop folk to its logical extreme, but also quietly demolishes any genre constraints in the process. With a Beach Boys cover setting the vibe for the album, Curling Pond Woods is Davis' first true opus, fundamentally a brilliant pop record that requires no other modifiers. ~ Charles Spano