I am thrilled to announce that my piece, Disco! Disco! Good! Good?, written for Aaron Holloway-Nahum and the Riot Ensemble has been nominated for an Ivor Novello Award 2023 in the "Best Chamber Ensemble Composition" category. This nomination is a tremendous honour and a testament to the dedication and passion that went into creating this work.
Photography credit: Derri Joseph Lewis & The Ivors Academy
"The music just fizzes off the page and comes to life, giving me and the performers a lot to work with."
~ Aaron Holloway-Nahum, conductor of Riot Ensemble
Disco! Disco! Good! Good? is a vibrant and innovative composition that celebrates the cultural impact of the disco era on music. It explores the transition from vinyl to tape recording technology, a shift that revolutionised the music industry and played a pivotal role in shaping the distinctive sound of disco music.
But this piece is more than just a musical homage. It delves into the heart of queer ballroom culture that emerged during the disco era. This subculture created safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals to express themselves through dance and fashion. Disco! Disco! Good! Good? pays tribute to the queer communities that shaped the cultural landscape of music and, in turn, influenced society at large.
However, beneath the vibrant rhythms and lively melodies, Disco! Disco! Good! Good? also confronts the fears and anxieties experienced by queer individuals when they ventured outside the sanctuary of the disco. It acknowledges the bravery and resilience of those who defied societal norms, danced freely, and paved the way for future generations.
"Disco! Disco! Good! Good? is a really impressive piece and such a great achievement in so many respects"
~ Geoffrey Patterson, conductor of London Sinfonietta
Disco! Disco! Good! Good? emerged from a rich partnership with the London Sinfonietta and conductor Geoffrey Patterson as part of the Royal Overseas League Composition Medal. In collaboration with Aaron Holloway-Nahum and the Riot Ensemble, the piece underwent a significant transformation to accommodate larger forces and an extended duration. This work explores the captivating essence of disco and its profound impact on the LGBTQIA+ community. While disco unlocked a world for queer people, this composition employs microtonality to evoke the unease and vulnerability that queer individuals experienced outside the disco's vibrant sanctuary.
Even though Disco! Disco! Good! Good? holds a deeply personal significance for me as a queer individual, it is a composition meant to be enjoyed by all, allowing listeners to experience it through their own unique perspectives.
You can listen to Disco! Disco! Good! Good? performed by Aaron Holloway-Nahum and Riot Ensemble here:
Instrumentation: 1.1.2.1 - 1.1.1.0 - 2perc. - pno. - 1.1.1.1.1
Duration: c.14 minutes
I'm immensely grateful for this Ivor Novello Award nomination and look forward to the possibility of reprogramming Disco! Disco! Good! Good? in the future.
Looking ahead, I'm excited to share that I'll be working with the London Philharmonic Orchestra over the next year, with more exciting projects in the pipeline!
Photography credits: Derri Joseph Lewis, The Ivors Academy, Matthew Johnson