Loop Session: In the Studio with Grand River

Composer and musician Aimée Portioli, aka Grand River, has developed a studio practice that allows her to overcome a lot of common creative obstacles when she’s writing music. Back in May, she offered a glimpse of her composing process at the first Loop Session – a new series of events that offer an intimate look into an artist's practice.

Aimée’s direct and simple approach of “composing by playing” helps to jumpstart her creativity by keeping her in touch with her instruments and ready to record when the time is right. For Loop Session, she first met moderator Dennis DeSantis in her home studio, where they talked about the things that inspire her while she started working on a new piece. She recorded some parts on her piano, cello and Waldorf Micro Q synthesizer and selected some more portable instruments to continue working on the piece live in Bewake Studios, Berlin. 

At Bewake Studios, Aimée got back to work on the piece, equipped with a Waldorf Blofeld synthesizer, a selection of wooden flutes and a chain of effects pedals. As she worked, she chatted with Dennis about how she cultivates a relationship with each of her instruments, the art of blending the assortment of timbres produced by acoustic and electronic instruments, and the overarching ideas that inform her work. 

You can watch a full recording of the session now.

Keep up with Grand River on Instagram, Facebook and Soundcloud.