ARTIST TALK: JIM O’ROURKE

Over the past three and a half decades, Chicago native Jim O’Rourke has charted an absolutely singular path, amassing a sprawling discography that includes noise, electroacoustic composition, free improv, Americana, Van Dyke Parks-esque pop, drone, indie rock, and far more. He is one of his era’s great collaborators, having played with Eiko Ishibashi, Keiji Haino, KK Null, Fennesz, Loren Connors, Mats Gustafsson, Merzbow, Oren Ambarchi, and other experimental titans, as well as in the groups Gastr del Sol (with David Grubbs), Loose Fur (with members of Wilco), and even Sonic Youth. Yet O’Rourke is also a tireless solo musician, turning out a nonstop stream of longform pieces on his own Steamroom imprint. In conversation with American journalist Philip Sherburne, O’Rourke will discuss his creative practice, collaborative interests, and many years spent living and working in Japan.