Gregory Paul Mineeff - I Knew You Once (2024)

Gregory Paul Mineeff is a composer and artist from Wollongong, Australia. He has released seven albums with Greece’s Cosmic Leaf Records and a solo piano album with Yellow Rose Records, covering Australia and Europe. Whitelabrecs fans may also recall ‘So Many, Diminishes’, Gregory’s debut album for this label in the digital eRecord series. His extensive discography also includes numerous singles, collaborations, compilations, and remixes with labels such as NOOX (London) and Tempest Recordings (Melbourne). Mineeff’s talent extends beyond the recording studio, as he composes for film, television, dance, and theatre, and performs live at various festivals and online events.

Mineeff’s journey into music began at the age of 14, recording on a 4-track cassette recorder. His creative process involves a deep connection with physical instruments, starting with improvisation on the piano, guitar, or synthesizer. His influences are as diverse as they are iconic, ranging from Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Björk to Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Philip Glass, Nils Frahm, and Yann Tiersen.

‘I Knew You Once’ is an evocative collection which marks another significant milestone in Mineeff’s prolific career, blending his signature soundscapes with deeply personal reflections. This album is characterised by the fusion of guitar, drone, piano and electronics and it is a testament to Mineeff’s ability to blend genres seamlessly. Late night Ambient moods, passages of post rock, LoFi drum machine beats and cinematic piano are all present throughout these 10 absorbing tracks. Recorded at Considered Into Atrophy Studios, the album employs analog instruments and a combination of analog and digital effects, providing a hands-on, tactile experience that is integral to Mineeff’s creative process.

This record initially had no fixed concept, but a poignant turn of events gave it a deeper meaning. The sudden passing of a childhood friend influenced the final stages of the album’s creation, infusing it with a sense of sorrow and reflection. Each track is meticulously crafted to evoke a range of emotions, offering listeners an immersive and contemplative experience. Imperfection and human touch are the central themes throughout this music yet so is the beauty of imperfection.