All These Colors Tour: India Part 47
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Delhi, India
And now for something completely different! I went out to dinner this evening with none other than Robert Millis, who I just met for the first time after we flicked a few emails back and forth over the past couple of years. Since the 1990s, Rob has played in an experimental music duo with Jeffrey Taylor called Climax Golden Twins, who are perhaps best known for releasing a sleepy drone CD called Lovely, the original package of which came complete with a pillow! Rob has also put out a solo CD of field recordings from Southeast Asia called Leaf Music Drunks Distant Drums, as well as three vivid, artistic travelogue films, one from the same area called My Friend Rain, another about a wild festival in Thailand called Phi Ta Khon, and an exploration through South India called This World is Unreal Like a Snake in a Rope. As if all that weren’t enough, Rob is also the co-author (with Jeffrey Taylor) and graphic designer of a hardcover book called Victrola Favorites, which, along with two CDs of music, takes a look at the gorgeous realm of early 20th century vintage 78 rpm records from around the world.
The latter subject is what brought Rob to India on this, his third visit to the subcontinent. He’s currently here for eight months on a Fulbright scholarship to research 78 rpm records, make field recordings, and produce sound art. As we sat at the Brown Bread Bakery, I had myself a merry little (early) Christmas bombarding Rob with questions about what life is like with his friends–and one of my favorite bands–the Sun City Girls, as well as engaging in a lengthy discussion on the releases listed above and traveling in Asia. Too bad I didn’t record the conversation, as it would have made a good interview. After dinner, as I walked Rob down to the New Delhi train station (where he was going to catch a ride home to South Delhi), a small stray dog tried to adopt me. Although I can’t take the pup home with me, I at least caught some of the amusing moment on video. I ended the night capturing another clip of a musical performance consisting of some lively Hindu singing, drumming, clapping and bell ringing at the small Bhawani temple near the Hotel Krishna. That was a perfect ending to this enjoyable day.
Roll over photos for captions.
Words and photos ©2012 Arcane Candy.
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