Lewis John Gill has worn many musical hats since the late 1980s. The 55-year-old began as a prog rock guitarist but now devotes himself to avant-garde composition. His three 2024 releases include two volumes of his Parochial Chamber Works – Music Inspired by Warrington and Redeemer, an instrumental fusion of avant-garde and minimalism.

Lawrence Peryer: What is your first memory of music?

Lewis Gill: Hearing "My Ding-A-Ling" by Chuck Berry when I was three years old, I asked my mother to buy it. I don't remember having any particularly profound feelings about it, but I thought it was quirky, and it got my attention.

Lawrence: You want someone to understand you. What song or album do you give them?

Lewis: Stockhausen's "Carre." It's as if it was made for me. It is an intense and odd sound world of ritual-like choir arrangements and beautiful but dissonant orchestral writing. If you mean "What song by me ?" I would give them "Neuroklang 2" from my Redeemer album; it sums me up perfectly.

KARLHEINZ STOCKHAUSEN: CARRÉ

Stockhausen Official website. Karlheinz Stockhausen’s music, works and history of the famous 20th century composer.

Lawrence: What instrument(s) can you play?

Lewis: Guitar, although I've barely touched it for 7 or 8 years. I had some considerable chops at my disposal back then; now. I use the guitar only to compose.

Lawrence: What song, album, or artist never gets old for you?

Lewis: I'd say quite a lot of 70's Prog Rock albums are still refreshing to me: Yes's Close to the Edge and Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Trilogy, to name a couple. They never get old and still move me as much as ever.

Lawrence: What is a creative work or artist that you love or admire outside of music?

Lewis: David Lynch. His films are absolute gems, shimmering works of art. I'd love to score a film for him. I think my music would be highly suitable for his vision.

A complete playlist of every song used in a David Lynch film

David Lynch’s use of music in his films is inspired, so this is a playlist of every song he has ever used.

Far Out MagazineDale Maplethorpe

Lawrence: What person, dead or alive, would you like to share a meal with (and which meal of the day)?

Lewis: Brian Eno, he'd be endlessly fascinating, and I'd have a million questions for him. It would be over Spag Bol.

Lawrence: What music do you and your significant other disagree about?

Lewis: I'm single now, but my last girlfriend could not stand progressive rock, she'd always say there was too much going on. I never tried to expose her to avant-garde classical, though Xenakis and Stockhausen would have ended our relationship.

Lawrence: What was your first concert?

Lewis: Manfred Mann's Earth Band at the Manchester Apollo in England in either 1978 or 1979. I was only about ten years old, and I honestly don't remember a great deal. I only remember that I enjoyed it and was initially blown away by the volume.

Lawrence: When you were 15, your favorite artist, song, or album was:

Lewis: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles.

Lawrence: Who is the biggest influence on your musical life?

Lewis: All things considered, I'd have to say Tony Banks. His playing and composing on those early Genesis albums is probably in my DNA.

Lawrence: There's a band playing in heaven tonight. Who is in it?

Lewis: Either Cardiacs or ELP, two miraculously wonderful bands. Cardiacs made an album called Sing to God, which is an interesting title considering the question!

Lawrence: What artist is the most underrated or misunderstood?

Lewis: David Bedford, a brilliant and highly original English composer who never received the attention he deserved.

Lawrence: You are programming a music festival. What artists, dead or alive, headline Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night?

Lewis: Friday: Cardiacs, Saturday: Zappa, Sunday: Genesis (with Gabriel).

Lawrence: What is your theme song?

Lewis: "You Can't Blame Lewis" by Level 42

Lawrence: What instrument do you wish you could play?

Lewis: Keyboards, I suppose. I've never had room for a piano, though. Some of my favorite music ever is keyboard-based: Lyle Mays, Keith Jarrett

Lawrence: Who is your musical hero?

Lewis: Possibly Tony Banks. He penned some of my favorite melodies.

Lawrence: What was the last concert you saw?

Lewis: Magma at Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester in 2015.

Markus Reuter

Markus Reuter is a music producer, composer, performer, and creative educator with international credentials and a vast discography. He is touring the world regularly, both as a solo artist, with his bands, and as a teacher.

Spotlight OnMarkus Reuter