In “What Grieves Frenzy Drown’d,” an album released on SCRIPTS Records in April by 27-year-old New York-based guitarist Alec Goldfarb, melodies rise out of coarse microtonal string textures like strange objects—both ancient and modern, water-smooth rocks and plastic detritus—found on a rough-hewn beach. Occasionally these melodies sound familiar, influenced by Goldfarb’s immersion in Indian classical music; more often they are strange and elusive. The album leaves a powerful impression.
Goldfarb began playing the electric guitar and composing at age 11, adding classical guitar to his repertoire in high school. I spoke with him by video chat about microtonal melodies, the Indian classical style of music training, and the question of cultural appropriation.
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