Kevin Bronson on June 18th, 2020

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Gregory Uhlmann (of Perfume Genius, Fell Runner and a wide array of other exploits) will release his second solo album in July. In today’s QUARANTUNES, sample its restrained beauty as Uhlmann talks about coping in this heavy time and shares a playlist sure to boost your musical IQ.

THE LATEST FROM GREGORY UHLMANN

Gregory Uhlmann is a singer, songwriter, composer and guitarist who plays in Perfume Genius, co-founded indie-rock sophisticates Fell Runner and has forayed into a vast array of styles, including chamber music, scores and genre-defying improvisational work. The L.A.-based native of Chicago released his solo debut “Odd Job” in 2017, and recently announced that his sophomore release, “Neighborhood Watch,” will come out July 24 on Topshelf Records. He calls it “a cozy portrait of grains of sand, cats, ants, getting colds, letting loose, feeling shy, watching movies and being in love.”

Backed by players such as keyboardist Josh Johnson, bassist Anna Butterss, drummer-vocalist Tim Carr, percussionist Matt Carroll, violinist/violist Lauren Baba and cellist April Guthrie on cello, Uhlmann draws warm vignettes in fine lines of orchestral folk-pop, colored by his balmy vocals and evocative lyrics. The single “Spice Girls” introduced the album, which was followed by “Santa Fe,” on which he is backed by Hand Habits’ Meg Duffy.

HOW ARE YOU HOLDING UP AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MANAGE THE ‘STAY AT HOME’ EDICT?

It’s been hard. It’s a fluctuation between obsessive working and a total vegetative state. It’s tricky to stay balanced. My partner and I have started taking more walks in the park, which have been a lifesaver. Getting outside feels very important. I’m trying to take some time to reflect, read and study. It’s a very heavy time between the virus and the police brutality. It’s easy to get in these little loops of checking social media and the news over and over again to see what’s going on. I found it very moving to just get out and go to a protest. I felt like I was reading so much and to just be there was powerful.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN THIS IS OVER?

I’m most looking forward to just having a coffee with a friend and playing music with people again. I love recording and writing by myself, but the most magical part about music for me is what happens when people play together.

ANYTHING WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PLAYLIST?

I’ve found myself simultaneously looking for new things and listening back to the music that I loved in high school. It jumps around a bunch, but I think it’s fun and hopefully engaging. I love all the songs and artists I put on here. It was a really nice challenge for me. I’m not someone that makes a lot of playlists.