Carl Weingarten | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Genres | Americana,ambient,world,space rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, producer, photographer |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Labels | Multiphase Records |
| Website | www.carlweingarten.com |
Carl Weingarten is an American guitarist, photographer, and founder of theindependentmusic label Multiphase Records. He is best known for his atmospheric sound and use of theslide guitar andDobro. Weingarten has played a significant role inprogressiveunderground music for over 40 years, recording several solo and collaborativeinstrumental albums and signing various musicians to his label.
Before acquiring a taste in music, Weingarten gained an interest in photography early on; at seven years old, he received his first camera as a Christmas gift. By junior high, Weingarten moved on to shootingSuper 8 films, and was awarded two Honorable Mentions in the Kodak Teenage Movie Awards. However, in high school, he also aspired to teach himself how to playslide guitar after his first exposure toblues.
Weingarten later earned a degree in cinema production which would go hand in hand with the atmospheric music he would later become known for. According to Weingarten, "The cinematic tone in my music comes from my visual arts background. I try to paint it all in sound." However, breaking into the film industry proved difficult in the mid-west, and he began writing and recording his ownfilm scores and other music for modern dance companies. This led him to join the indie label movement.[1]
Weingarten founded Multiphase Records inSt. Louis in 1980. The following year, he released its first album,Submergings, in collaboration with Gale Ormiston and Phil Neon. That same year gave birth to Weingarten'sinstrumentalelectronic rock band Delay Tactics. The group, featuring Walter Whitney onsynths and guitarists David Udell and Reed Nesbit, took heavy influence fromRobert Fripp and served as more of a recording unit than live act. They were, however, among the first of such indie groups to usedigital delays in both studio recordings and livelooping performances.[2] With two albums under their belt, the group disbanded in 1986. The members regrouped in 2016 and a third record, Elements of Surprise (MP-CD127) was released in 2023.
In the 1990s, Weingarten moved to San Francisco and continued producing his own solo and collaboration albums and toured. He reunited multiple times with Walter Whitney among other musicians in producing a broad catalog of studio recordings. In 1995, several musicians were brought together under the Court Musicians moniker to record an album fusing various cultural styles; two of such tracks featured Weingarten on guitar, and his experience with the project'sIndian themes had a profound influence on him musically.[3] He has more recently moved toAlameda, California and continued releasing new music throughout the 2000s.
Weingarten's records have received praise by media outlets such asAll About Jazz,Muze.com, Music Web Express,Exposé magazine, andAllMusic among others. With influences spanningEnnio Morricone,Brian Eno,Antonio Vivaldi, andRobert Johnson among others, his albums have often been described as sounding more akin to a thematic soundtrack than a more formal collection of songs, and his innovative style blending and experimentation have been widely commended.[4] In 2002, Weingarten released one of his most critically acclaimed works,escapesilence. The record would become anNPR staple and the winner of the "Listeners Choice Award" from the syndicatedPRI programEchoes.[5]
Despite his success in the music industry, Weingarten is still an avid photographer. Today, a gallery of photos can be viewed at his website focusing on subjects like urban landscapes and architecture, natural landscapes, concerts, and nightlife. The site also offersdigital restoration of old photos, and his work has been featured in exhibits such as the Frank Bette Center for the Arts.[6]
