At 11 years old, Plotnick was billed as the next Philip Glass. Now at the ripe old age of 13, the prodigy has signed to Portland alt-label Holy Mountain and is spewing out ambient, mind-melting compositions that tip a hat to Steve Reich and Terry Riley, with visuals to match. “I arrange an instrumental electronic-jazz-classical experience on the spot in my room, and record everything,” he explains of his craft. With his second release, Blue Fourteen, out now on Blue Tapes, the San Fran-based bedroom composer is slowly inching his way towards greatness – or at least a “most likely to…” vote in 2015’s yearbook.
How would you sum up what you do in a sentence?
Henry Plotnick: I arrange an instrumental electronic-jazz-classical sound experience on the spot in my room, and record everything.
What new skill did you learn this year?
Henry Plotnick: I learned how to unicycle! It’s a pretty weird feeling – like biking, except a whole lot more precarious.
What’s the most surprising thing we’d find out if we looked at your phone?
Henry Plotnick: That it doesn’t work. It works as a phone about as well as your average toaster. But it doesn’t even work as a toaster. Darn.
What’s your favourite song and movie of 2014?
Henry Plotnick: I really did enjoy Woody Allen’s new movie Magic in the Moonlight. As for songs, I liked The Flaming Lips’ new release, their cut of “7 Skies h3”, a 24-hour song. The new album from The Penguin Café was very nice too, The Red Book.
What emoji defines your year so far?
Henry Plotnick: I have no reason at all to say this defines my year so far, but I love sheep, so why not go with the sheep emoji!
In 15 words, sum up what we can expect from you in 2015.
Henry Plotnick: More songs, possibly online, more videos, and a Bandcamp page at some point. Exactly 15!
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