Foundations: Military Genius
Bryce Cloghesy is a key figure in West Coast music, a long-standing member of Crack Cloud, a potent collaborator, and – more recently – an innovative solo voice. Using Military Genius as a pseudonym, his 2020 debut LP ‘Deep Web’ was a masterful example of pan-genre world-building.
Recently returning to the moniker, Military Genius has unfurled a series of singles in 2024, moving from fractured dub to zero gravity R&B via spaced out jazz and fuzzy electronics – it’s been a ride, for sure.
New album ‘Scarred For Life’ is out now, and to celebrate CLASH caught up with Bryce Cloghesy to explore his Foundations – his music bedrock, the albums that truly mattered in his life.
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Gil Evans – ‘The Individualism Of Gil Evans’
I was first introduced to Gil as the arranger behind Miles Davis’ first classic ‘Birth Of The Cool’, which marked a giant shift in the language of jazz and expanded on the structures of bebop with a non-traditional formation of nine players. ‘The Individualism Of…’ came a decade later, to me his greatest statement from the post-bop era of the 60’s.
An incredible group of musicians are gathered here to tackle some dark, exploratory compositions from Evans. Stirring, hugely energetic, but equally thoughtful and reflective.
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Harold Budd – ‘The Pavilion Of Dreams’
Budd’s music arrived in my life at a crucial point. His shifting ambient compositions can be equally unsettling or soothing. I was deep into Brian Eno for the longest time, and his collaborations with Budd are certainly a high point – together they proved the power of extended, ambient compositions.
This music really hits your psyche on a different level from traditional song structure. It wasn’t until I was deeply immersed that I found out Budd spent much of his life in my current home of Joshua Tree. Kindred spirits. Something about the solitude and spaciousness of the desert.
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Bark Psychosis – ‘Hex’
After Mark Hollis blasted the door open on post-rock with Talk Talk’s incredible run of albums, several disciples emerged to carry the torch. My favourite of these would certainly be Graham Sutton’s excellent project Bark Psychosis, especially their first record ‘Hex’.
Filled with deep bass lines, fluid structures, and enigmatic lyrics, the result is a bewildering listen. One of those records you have to start again immediately after the first listen.
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Earth – ‘Earth 2’
There was a moment in my life where I did not enjoy listening to music that much. Turns out my conception of music was quite limited, and I just needed to push further out. I slowly gravitated towards more abrasive styles, trying to wash out the world around me.
‘Earth 2’ became a regular fixation, allowing me to drown everything else out. It’s a very patient and moving record once you let go and sink in. Great for studying.
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Paul Horn – ‘Inside The Great Pyramid’
The flute is such a healing instrument. As I get older, I find that the more you strip things back, the clearer the resulting message will be. Pure, spontaneous composition is as close as it gets to the source. Paul Horn knows this very well, and his collection of recordings from inside the Great Pyramid of Giza is deeply moving and relaxing.
This record is played often around my house. A great source of joy and respite, the sonic equivalent of burning sage or clearing the cobwebs. I hope to achieve a similar clarity some day.
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‘Scarred For Life’ is out now.
Photo Credit: Military Genius
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