Interview with Tu-Ner

The fact that Messers Mastelotto, Reuter, and Gunn never sound the same from one improvisational instrumental project to the next is a testament to their skill and talent. If you're a casual listener unfamiliar with these players and their improvisation, you might hear nothing but cacophony. A careful listener will hear how the sounds evolve, sometimes subtly, aggressively at others. T1 requires concentration, which means their music isn't for everyone. But anyone who invests time in their creation is richly rewarded aurally.
Alan – Hi. How long have you been playing as a trio of musicians, and where did you meet?
Trey - I've been playing with Pat Mastelotto since 1994 when he joined the Sylvian/Fripp band. We played together in King Crimson and also our duo TU. Plus many other side projects together. I met Markus in 1996 when he came to one of the King Crimson shows. We play similar instruments, so we have been in touch consistently since then.

Alan – Your work is not for every listener. Do you have problems with the frequency of concerts? After all, it requires a lot of concentration on the part of the viewer to understand what you are playing.
Trey - With all the music I've ever played it is a richer experience for the listener if they put more into listening.

Alan - The last double album Contact Information is presented as a difference between the previous work. What is the difference?
Trey - The entire album comes from improvisations we did together over a few days. This was recorded at Pat's studio in Austin.

Alan – You are from Texas, how do you play in Texas? It happens that a group comes from somewhere, does not break through in its homeland, but makes a hole in the world elsewhere. I'm asking about Texas.
Trey - Well, I have rarely played in Texas. I think maybe only about a dozen shows since I left Texas back in 1981. Including with King Crimson. I've played there with Pat and Robert Fripp in the group ProjeKct Three and I did some shows there with Eric Johnson and Jerry Marotta. But other than those few shows I haven't played in Texas very much. It is a long way from anywhere else in the United States. So, it isn't easy to route tours through Texas.

Alan – You released the album Contact Information on a label that mainly releases alternative and experimental music. What is your relationship and connection with this publishing house?
Trey - I am the owner and director of the label – 7d Media. I have been running it for over 20 years. We aim to present music and musicians who are innovating their musical languages.

Alan - Did you intend to release the Contact Information album directly as a double album? Or did you think that you would make some songs and when you counted everything, it came out on a double album?
Trey - Yeah, we didn't really know what we had until a few weeks after the recording dates. When you are improvising it is very hard, if not impossible, to get an overview of what you've done. You need some time to stand back from it and listen to it like someone who isn't in the band. Once we did, it became clear that we had a lot of material. Much more than was even put out on this recording. Also, we had some very long piece (20 minutes or more), that we didn't want to break up. So, we decided we should do a double-album release.

Alan - I'm going to ask a slightly off-the-album question. Where does sa play best for you as a group? Clubs, countries, regions?
Trey - Small to Medium size blubs and small theaters. These types of venues don't always make sense economically. But there are the best for connecting to audiences. Everywhere is great to play.

Alan – The album has been out for a short time, you already have feedback from the world. They are positive, with a caveat for listeners. What responses - insights - did you notice?
Trey - People were very surprised by how much they liked the recording. I think with pure improvisation like this, many people think they aren't going to be able to listen to much of it. But folks have been very positive that it is becoming one of their favorites recordings.

Alan - Have you gotten anywhere with your work? Where did they write about you? States, countries, continents? Czechia - jazz scene magazine?
Trey - Everywhere.

Alan – Monkeys and oranges?
Trey - Yep!

Alan – For many bands, it is also necessary to have visual material, and video clip(s). Well, this is probably a nut. How are you and how do you feel about it?
Trey - If we get good video then I am fine with it. If it is terrible video or the audio sounds terrible, then I am not fine with sharing it.

Alan – Thanks for the interview, hopefully, this will make you more visible in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. I like your work. I'm a noise-core listener, so I found the Contact Information album to my liking.
Trey - Many thanks. Cheers, Trey
Answered Trey Gunn
https://tu-ner7d.bandcamp.com/album/t1-contact-information-two-disc-set