The Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter makes his Australian appearance at the National Gallery of Victoria’s Friday Night session this week. The NGV, the country’s oldest gallery, surrounded by collections of thousands of works from multiple disciplines, will host Gunn’s expansive and momentous music, with its evocative tales and poetic reflection. Each art form will undoubtedly prove a powerful source of enjoyment and inspiration as they are merged.
Because he’s never set foot in the venue before, Gunn is offered a little information about the space – the otherwise softly spoken man responds with a boldness in his tone. “It sounds amazing,” he says. “I think it’s very easy for me to adapt to a room, and that allows me to play in unique places.
“I like working with the feel of certain rooms – it definitely affects my playing and the way that I present the music.”
For most music lovers, the arts – particularly the historical aspects – are incredibly important, and Gunn’s values are no different. Here is an artist who takes pride and humility in his opportunity to perform in such a sombre setting. “A setting like this is perfect,” he says. “Particularly being in a museum where there’s such a rich collection of artwork, history, stories. It’s very inspiring to me.
“I take a lot of inspiration from painters and visual artists. For me to be in their environment and to be surrounded by important works of art is truly an honour.”
Although new to the NGV, this won’t be altogether unfamiliar territory for Gunn. The marriage of art to music has been an important aspect of how he creates. “Here in New York City, I try to go to art museums wherever I am,” Gunn says, “It’s not just the visual aspect but most paintings have a very important historical story and impact.
“Those kinds of stories – that kind of imagery – is always a source of inspiration for me, whether it’s abstract or otherwise.”
In the past, Gunn’s work as an artist’s assistant opened up a whole realm of thought that he now reflects in his music. His visual experiences are proof of the full circle that can be created from understanding and loving both art and music.
“I took a lot of inspiration from the minimalist artists that were gaining momentum in the early ‘60s – a lot of them were from New York and were taking inspiration from the meditative process, simple form and repetition. I got really into a lot of these artists’ approaches and work ethics. It directly inspired me and my music.
“Just purely as a sense of craft and how you approach something, how you rework simple ideas and patterns, that is an element that I try to keep in my music as well.”
