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Paste Studio’s “On The Road” series dropped into Knoxville during the Big Ears Festival, transforming a downtown loft into a hush-filled listening room. The setting—Tombras Headquarters—gave the performance an intimate, urban feel that matched the festival’s adventurous spirit.
How Paste x Big Ears crafted a unique live session
The session paired guitarist Gregory Uhlmann with electronic musician Will Miller. Their set blurred ambient textures and subtle rhythms, creating a sound both delicate and immersive. The room reacted to shifting layers of guitar and breathed electronics.
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Gregory Uhlmann’s sonic approach and growth
A brief musical trajectory
Uhlmann began releasing solo work in 2017 with his debut, Odd Job. Since then, his voice has expanded through solo releases and high-profile collaborations.
- Worked with artists such as Perfume Genius and Miya Folick.
- Collaborated with Meg Duffy of Hand Habits.
- Plays with the jazz-leaning quintet SML.
Earlier this year, Paste highlighted him among modern guitar innovators. Reviewers emphasized his ability to craft immersive tones and memorable improvisations. His playing often leaves a lingering atmosphere long after the last note.
The instruments and textures that shaped the set
Will Miller added electronic wind textures with an Electronic Valve Instrument, or EVI. The EVI traces back to the late 1970s and was designed to translate brass technique into an electronic voice. Its presence gave the pieces a distinctly human phrasing despite the synth tones.
Tracks that defined the performance
The trio of songs showcased a range of moods and production choices. Each piece demonstrated a different facet of Uhlmann’s album Extra Stars.
- “Pocket Snails” — opened the session with layered guitar tones and subtle rhythmic pulses. The track’s ambient build drew listeners into a concentrated silence.
- “Dottie” — leaned on repetition and sparse guitar lines. The slow pacing and open space allowed the emotional core to breathe.
- “Lucia” — closed with cinematic sweep and airy harmonies. Its gradual swell felt like the fade of a film’s final scene.
Production notes and credits
The Paste team thanked Big Ears organizers and the Tombras staff for hosting and helping film the session. The collaboration emphasized festival-curated programming meeting a city-based production team.
Keep an eye out for more Paste Sessions, and check out Paste’s recent feature on SML for further context on these creative circles.
