Pianist Victor Gould Out in Front

By Stephanie Jones I Aug. 22, 2019

Victor Gould experiments with new voices and longstanding collaborators on *Thoughts Become Things*.
(Photo: Jimmy Katz)

Drummond found that she had an immediate connection with his sound and concept: “Victor’s music is both beautiful and intellectual. He is a force.”

She also instantly felt the kind of openness Gould aimed to cultivate among his collaborators.

“Though his music is conceptually very clear, Victor is open to new ideas and different energies,” Drummond said. “So, playing with him is a truly wonderful experience. He creates a comfortable atmosphere, letting players be themselves, which opens doors to real creative moments.”

Gould completes the album’s rhythm section with drummer Rodney Green and bassist Vicente Archer, the latter having recorded with Gould on some of Pelt’s projects. Gould acknowledged calling each artist—and in particular Green and Archer—because he knew they would filter his work through their own experiences and approaches to music.

“No matter what I would bring in, they kind of made it their own,” the pianist said, “customized it and made it personal.”

Before departing in early August for a 12-day tour of Japan, Gould seemed energized and eager to take his own project around the world. “[Now,] you can just jump straight on the scene and be a leader,” he said. “And it seems like the only way to gain that popularity, to get to the next level, is to be a leader.” DB