66. Jim O'Rourke

Low Profile with Markly Morrison

Jim O’Rourke is a composer and producer living in Japan after spending most of his life in Chicago. His solo and collaborative works range from pop songwriting to electronic and avant-garde, being one of the first musicians to use a computer for live improvisations. His albums have been released on Table of the Elements, Drag City, Mego, and his own label Moikai. As a producer he has worked with Joanna Newsom, Wilco, US Maple, Stereolab and countless others. He has been a member of Sonic Youth, Loose Fur, Illusion of Safety, Boxhead Ensemble and Gastr Del Sol. O’Rourke’s collaborators include Christian Fennesz, John Fahey, Tony Conrad, Loren Connors, Keiji Haino and the Red Krayola. As a film composer he has made contributions to School of Rock, Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man and a smattering of Japanese films. Jim chats from his home studio The Steam Room with Markly and guest host Dylan Shearer about his formative years, musicians he admires, his current works and aspirations, his take on the world of streaming music, responds to listener questions, and discusses why he no longer writes songs with lyrics or tours. Includes an introduction from Sean O’Hagan of Stereolab, High Llamas and Microdisney.Find this episode's website at lowprofilepodcast.com to dive even deeper.Special thanks to Forrest for editing in the music selections for this program, to Lani Morrison for this episode’s illustration, and to Eli Moore and Miles Rozatti for helping with cleaning up the remote audio.If you enjoy this show and want to help support it, you can join the community of patrons at patreon.com/lowprofile. For a flexible monthly donation, most people go for 3 to 5 dollars a month, you’ll receive access to things like advance release episodes, behind the scenes footage, insights into my research for this program, first dibs on merchandise, and unedited interview recordings. Plus you’ll be helping to make this oral history project sustainable, and if you join up I’ll also send you a sticker and a button as a thank you. Again, that link is patreon.com/lowprofile This show also receives in-kind support from several Olympia businesses including Rainy Day Records, San Francisco Street Bakery, Schwartz’s Deli, Old School Pizzeria, and Scherler Easy Premium Shitty American Lager from 3 Magnets Brewing Company. Artists and musicians! Want vinyl records but can’t afford to order 1000 and wait 8-12 months? Check out our friends at Lathecuts.com. They will make you vinyl singles in quantities as low as 50 as quickly as 3-4 weeks. All of their pricing is ala carte and they can help pick a package that fits your budget. Email Mike at [e-mail] and Mention Low Profile to get a 10% overrun on your order for free!