PAUL GOUGH, AKA PIMMON, records ambient, glitchy soundscapes like his new album, Smudge Another Yesterday. He’ll be launching it at Syncretism, as he tells JODY MACGREGOR.

 JODY MACGREGOR: The Syncretism gig will be your first in a couple of years. Was there a reason you took time off?

PAUL GOUGH: My reason for taking time off was more about equipment unreliability – though I find the creative urges tend to be cyclical as well. So a mixture of reasons. I’ve found since I got a new laptop that the urge to play live has returned. I have the kernel of what I want to do in my head and this now can be fully realised.

JM: What kind of computer set-up do you have when you play live?

PG: I’ve always been a PC boy – because it’s what I used everyday, I’m not against Mac. Whatever you use to make sound, be it modular synth or banjo – it’s the end result that counts. So I keep it simple, me, the laptop and a mixer.

JM: What do you do when something technical goes wrong?

PG: You can tell by the look on my face. Generally a snarled lip ready to issue a curse to the sky. I’m pretty harsh on myself in that way, often if I deviate from the idea at hand or it isn’t fully realised I can get in a real downer mood – but then people don’t know that ‘map’ in my head so I’ve been trying to let go and recognise people will/won’t enjoy it for their own reasons.

JM: Have you got anything special planned for Syncretism?

PG: I’m hoping the show will be the realisation of where I wanted to go the last time I was here. I envisage a rollercoaster ride of sound – I feature processed vocals which is new – maybe even singing directly into a mic!

JM: How improvised are your sets?

PG: I certainly start with ideas! I often know how the plane takes off and where it’s headed, it’s the landing destination and how to land that remain a mystery. I often in the middle of playing have all these new possibilities jumping out at me so I will follow some, and some I should avoid. It’s hard to give a percentage but it’s not all planned by any means.

PG: This is a curly one – I do it occasionally on the Quiet Space – the format is ideal for my music! It’s not something I do often. If I do I never back announce it, that would be too weird!

JM: Do you come from a musical family?

PG: On my father’s side they were quite musical. My grandfather and great-grandfather both played brass in the Salvation Army Band. My father never played any instruments but has a beautiful voice and I remember him singing some solos when I was younger. His brother was amazing – he could pick up any instrument and play it! I learnt the guitar from age eight but never really excelled – but I can bash out a tune here and there. I’ve sung in many choirs and in my workplace Christmas party rock band. Ha!

PIMMON headlines Syncretism the Judith Wright Centre on Thursday May 28, alongside Seaworthy and Anonymeye. You can find out more about his radio show at www.abc.net.au/rn/quietspace.

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