Bob Gaulke still try to create very distinct images when write

“A. Boogie, Lil Tjay, Lil Baby; my students love them, so it’s my job to listen.” Bob Gaulke explains how a teacher working in Bronx public schools has his tastes impacted by his students. “Middle school is really the start of the rest of your life. It’s a demanding job, but it keeps me on my toes.” Although his own music shows more of a debt to old-skool dub, Brazilian, and European styles, Gaulke feels that this age on intolerance, debts must be acknowledged. “I remind my students that Bronx culture is respected world over. It’s huge in Japan. If they can make it out of their hoods, the world is theirs.”

When not teaching immigrant children, Gaulke collaborates with top musicians from all over the world, while maintaining an active live presence in the city. “I started a cafe series two years back that emphasized quality global sounds. It was really a thrill to bring diverse audiences together,” he states, “I feel that at times, we have to remind the general public that culture is something to be shared and treasured by everyone; not just elites”. To this end, one of his jams, “The Underwear Salesman” has a curious following in India. Perhaps because of its rated PG take on its subject, a man who sells women’s lingerie, (“To get as close to the source as he can”, Gaulke smiles), the video continues to garner consistent views from South East Asia and beyond. “I think you hope all songs are hits, but I’m flattered that at least one of my tunes has some legs”, Gaulke states.

Boxed Set Life

Gaulke has released four albums of original songs, each of which follows a theme. “Most are place-related, as I tended to move around a lot in my thirties. I lived in Brazil and Japan, as well as the Pacific North West. I did a lot of crazy jobs. I think mostly to generate story ideas because I think my own life is pretty boring. At one point, Gaulke was working at a mausoleum while moonlighting as a sperm donor. “Those gigs didn’t last very long, but the definitely kept the ideas flowing. I still try to create very distinct images when I write.”

The music on his albums range from pop to jazz to Brazilian to elsewhere, “I think that sharing is at the heart of creativity. I often do the basics myself on a laptop (vocals, guitars, loops), then target people I really respect to work with. Often i’ll pay them; not an outrageous amount, but there’s an understanding that professionals have to get paid. I respect that. The new ways of working have created great opportunities for me,” Gaulke adds.

Also of note, is an album he produced, “The Record Man”, which features more than 30 global artists on a dozen songs. “I made that album as a tribute to a friend, Ron Kane of Los Angeles, who was really a mentor to me. The education you receive from the record collections of brilliant people is worth years of study.” The album was featured on national broadcasts in The Netherlands and New Zealand, where many of the artists are based. The project has led to numerous opportunities, collaborations, and shows.

In School

Moving forward, Bob Gaulke continues to record and release new music, with an eye on education; “Sometimes songs can become a great learning tool. I feel like the arts are under attack in public schools. The last school I worked at didn’t have a library or a music program. I’m writing a set of songs about the importance of the arts. I’m always inspired by the subway. A few months back I saw a mom really screaming at her young child. I was imagining that girl escaping to the library, to music, dance, and theatre, as a way out of her surroundings. That sad scene inspired me to imagine something better.”

Can we expect some Bob Crunk? “I can’t pretend to be something I’m not, but I’m inspired by everything I hear. I think you’ll know when you pull a style off. Songs can’t lie.”

Though he was featured in recently released Lifoti's September 2019 issue 09, you can check it from below link's for your country: