| Erland Cooper | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gawain Erland Cooper |
| Born | 5 October 1984 Orkney, Scotland[1] |
| Genres | Alternative, classical, electronica, ambient |
| Occupations | composer, producer |
| Instruments | Piano, guitar, vocals, electronics |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | Decca Records, Universal Music |
| Website | ErlandCooper.com |
Gawain Erland Cooper (born 5 October 1984)[2] is a Scottish composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. Cited as "one of the most unique, consistently engaging composers of his generation",[3] he was born and raised in Stromness, Orkney. As an interdisciplinary artist, he has released four acclaimed studio albums, with four additional companion albums and multiple EPs, including a trilogy of work inspired by his childhood home, as well as themes of nature,[4] people, place and time. His work combines field recordings with classical orchestration and contemporary electronic elements.[5] Cooper also works across mixed media projects including installation art,[6] theatre[7] and film. He is a recipient of a Royal Television Society award and his music is played frequently on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 6 Music as well as featured on various TV network productions.
He is credited by Mojo Magazine with exploring the concept of psychogeography, connecting identity, memory, and place through music, words and cinematography. He explores these themes further by partnering with well-known artists and writers in his work and live shows.
In 2021 he buried the only existing copy of the master magnetic tape of his first classical album in Orkney, deleting all digital files and leaving only a treasure hunt of clues for fans and his record label alike to search for it.[8] He buried the tape in early spring 2021 and intended to retrieve and release it in 2024.[9] After a year and half in the soil, the tape was found in September 2022 by two amateur sleuths.[10]
Originally a founding member of bands The Magnetic North and Erland and the Carnival with whom he has released five studio albums, he has a diverse musical background. He owns a private recording studio in London.
- ^ Barkham, Patrick (8 January 2019). "nature's songwriter - Erland Cooper". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
- ^ Erland Cooper, DR.dk. Retrieved 14 DEcember 2023
- ^ Murray, Robin. "'Critical Distance: Erland Cooper's Quiet Majesty".
- ^ Burnside, John (15 April 2018). "'How a seagull, a short-eared owl and an oystercatcher have released an album'". New Statesman. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ Barkham, Patrick (8 January 2019). "'If it moves me to tears, I've achieved what I wanted': nature's songwriter Erland Cooper". Guardian. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
- ^ On, Whats (8 January 2019). "'NEST London Borough of culture opening': NEST". Retrieved 19 February 2019.
- ^ On, Whats (8 January 2019). "'portia-coughlan': portia-coughlan". Retrieved 19 February 2019.
- ^ "'Composer buries album in Orkney':".
- ^ Guyoncourt, Sally (6 July 2021). "Erland Cooper buries only copy of new album, with fans urged to find it to be first to listen". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
- ^ Williams, Huw. "Erland Cooper: Musician's 'planted' tape found in Orkney". Retrieved 5 October 2022.