Peter Culshaw
Peter Culshaw is a writer and composer with a diverse range of experiences in the world of music. He has been described by his friend Malcolm McLaren as "the Indiana Jones of World Music." Culshaw has had the opportunity to immerse himself in different cultures and musical traditions, such as living with Pygmies in Central Africa and dervishes in Istanbul. His reporting on music has taken him from the Amazon to Siberia.
As a music journalist for publications like the Observer and Telegraph, Culshaw has had the privilege of interviewing some of the greatest musicians in the world. He has spoken with artists like Fela Kuti, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Caetano Veloso, Ibrahim Ferrer, as well as classical composers including Steve Reich and Thomas Adès. Culshaw considers these encounters to be his "music school" and believes that meeting these visionaries has shaped his musical perspective. He has always had a deep connection to music, even from a young age, and eventually felt compelled to record the musical ideas that had been floating around in his mind for years.
Culshaw grew up in Leicester, England, which has a large South Asian population. This exposed him to Indian music, including Bollywood music, at an early age. His musical journey was further influenced by The Beatles' album Revolver, particularly its last track "Tomorrow Never Knows," which had a lasting impact on him. It set him on a musical path that he continues to explore to this day.
In his early days as a composer, Culshaw joined the West India Company and contributed to their cult classic album New Demons, featuring Bollywood diva Asha Bhosle. The album was released by Editions EG, a label founded by Brian Eno and home to artists like Jon Hassel and Michael Nyman. Culshaw spent five months in Mumbai recording the follow-up album, which also featured R.D. Burman and Boy George. Despite encountering significant challenges and setbacks, the album remains unreleased. Culshaw has also composed award-winning music for dance companies and animated films. In 1996, he collaborated with Juan de Marcos Gonzalez of the Buena Vista Social Club to write and record an opera in Havana.
Beyond his musical pursuits, Culshaw has been involved in various ventures. He was a founding director of The Arts Desk, a UK arts and culture website, and served as the Head of World Music at Boiler Room TV. His book titled Clandestino: In Search of Manu Chao, published in 2013 and now available in ten languages, offers a groundbreaking biography and travelogue detailing his experiences with Manu Chao. The book has received high praise, with David Byrne describing it as "One of the best biographies I have been lucky enough to read."
