Sam Perkin, composer
Factfile:
Name and position:
Sam Perkin, composer
Lives:
My partner is French, so I have one foot in Ireland and the other in Lyon
Family:
You may know my dad, who runs Bruce Perkin Pine Antiques and Restoration on the Lower Glanmire Road. More and more I am realising how his artisan way of working influenced my way of composing. I have two brothers, one in Athlone and the other in London. Nothing will ever beat my mom’s signature dessert: Dark, milk, and white chocolate cake :)
Pets:
When we were growing up, we had two guinea pigs, Daisy and Ginger. The way they would squeak every day when we came home from school was adorable
Favourite thing about Cork:
I’m a huge KC’s fan, maybe the biggest, so every time I'm back a trip to Douglas is in order. I have to shout out an old buddy from Cork, Tellyhead, who once had three King Creoles in a row. The thing is, he did the ridiculously long queue to buy the first two, and then he did the whole queue again for the third one. That’s real dedication
Least favourite thing about Cork:
That it’s not the capital
One thing you’d change about Cork:
I would transport it geographically to the south west of France. That way you would have KCs, French bakeries, and the good weather in the same place!
When you were small, what did you want to be as a grown-up?
Naturally my first choice was astronaut, though a strong second was fireman; however I had already been teased on that front (Fireman Sam!) all through my youth so that was out.
Tell us about your career progression to your role today:
I was born and raised in Cork on the Lower Glanmire Road and went to the Cork School Project and the Ashton Secondary School. I did a BMus Degree in Performance and Composition, and an MMus Masters in Composition at the Cork School of Music. I then did a Post-Masters in Composition at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Music et de Danse de Lyon in France.
I am now a composer of music in the space between classical music and experimental music. It took me many years to figure out that this space is where my artistic work belongs. What initially brought me to music was that my older brother was getting piano lessons and I copied everything he did. He then stopped and I just kept going and added electric guitar to the mix.
My first band, The Plums (!), was a great experience, though I was always bossing the other members around telling them what to do. That’s a trait I’ve never lost! My artistic work has always remained universal in nature, and in recent years it appears to be refining itself, moving more and more in the direction of the sacred and in the exploration of awe. The pure, awestruck wonder of being alive, expressed through music.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of what you do?
What I love most about music is working with great musicians and performers. I have composed for and worked with many of the leading classical musicians, ensembles, and orchestras in Ireland. Great musicians can also be amateur musicians, as I learned working with ConCorda and The Irish Association of Youth Orchestras. Particularly fruitful creative periods working with Irish musicians were born out of collaborations with The Irish Chamber Orchestra, Ortús Festival, Kilkenny Arts Festival, Diane Daly, West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Finghin Collins, Patrick Rafter, Kaleidoscope Night, Louth Contemporary Music Festival, and Crash Ensemble.
There is a special type of alchemy that happens between two musical souls when they are in their element and cross paths. Working with Crash Ensemble has been a dream. I still can’t wrap my head around how open to, and supportive of, my work they have been. It was like being welcomed into a family during my residency.
What motivates you?
Inspiring other people through music.
What advice would you give your 15 year old self?
One of the most important things you will need to know as an artist is when to stop working.
If you weren’t in the job you have, what would you be doing?
I was always into psychology and really enjoyed maths also. Though who knows, I may have taken over my dad’s business, Bruce Perkin Pine Antique and Restoration.
What is your greatest life or career achievement to date?
Internationally, I recently had my debut in London at Wigmore Hall, where The Sitkovetsky Trio performed my Piano Trio ‘Freakshow’. They have now performed this work almost twenty times, which is hard to believe! An interesting collaboration with a Finnish scientist brought to life a work which includes the recorded sounds of the Northern Lights. The work was premiered at the Northern Lights Cathedral in the far north of Norway. Other recent artistic highlights include a work for Flute Choir, Smartphones and Audience at La Cote Flute Festival in Switzerland, and a commission for Network for New Music in Philadelphia.
Who has had the biggest influence on you in your life?
My Swiss professor in Lyon, David Chappuis, and my first music teacher from Cork, George Dunne. His boundless source of passion for music is a true inspiration. Additionally, my Irish composition teachers Seamus de Barra and CSL Parker, a unique guitar teacher I had, Mark O’Leary, my piano teachers Marion McCarthy, Tim Cooper and Jan Cap, and lastly my French partner, Valentin.
What is the life dream now?
To continue two simultaneous paths in Ireland and France.
How do you switch off?
Meditation. As an artist, you give a lot to other people, it is essential to refill the will. I did a meditation retreat in April in the Cévennes region. It was so silent. What was remarkable was that it took a full 24 hours for me, a composer who uses his ears a lot, to start hearing the sound of the wind. We are so often unknowingly and uncontrollably distracted by our thoughts. I also occasionally enjoy Osho meditation, which involves physical movement, and tends to be more useful for people who find it hard to sit still. Another must try is 'arm-swinging', from Qigong, which totally does wonders! Other than that, walking in a forest, swimming in the ocean, and reconnecting with friends and family.
What is your favourite place in Cork?
Apart from KCs?
Do you have a favourite quote or motto?
“If I write something that is really beautiful, something that is more beautiful than it has to be: It probably actually serves what it has to be - even better than I understand.” - Charles Eisenstein
What might we be surprised to know about you?
I am a skateboarder. It is fascinating that, although skateboarding is relatively young, there is often the perception that it is only something for the youth. You can now see skaters, who were once the best in the world, ageing gracefully and relaying the torch onto the next generations. It's fantastic to see parents and their kids skateboarding together. I recently saw a Japanese man who took up skateboarding at the ripe age of 81 years old! He was learning fast as well!
What is your favourite Cork memory?
Going to Touchwood Skatepark with my friends.
What is your hidden talent?
I make the desserts. Matcha layer cake is one of my specialties. Also, 'arm-swinging' from Qigong.
When are you at your happiest?
When composing, skateboarding, or exploring and getting completely lost.
Anything else you'd like to share with us?
I'd like to announce the release of a hybrid symphony for Crash Ensemble and Halo Track, with Diamanda La Berge Dramm as Guide, titled “Children of the Universe”, due for release Friday 3 November on Bandcamp (digital and limited edition CD). Pre-order on Bandcamp: crashensemble.bandcamp.com/album/children-in-the-universe.