Episode #48 - Benjamin Lackner: Spindrift

This episode explores the creative process and musical influences behind German-American pianist Benny Lackner's latest ECM album, *Spindrift*. Against the backdrop of the turbulent two years since his previous album, *Last Decade*, Lackner describes *Spindrift* as representing "a small controlled chaos with a calm center," reflecting his personal approach to navigating life's challenges. More significantly, he details his daily creative routine, emphasizing the importance of a structured schedule and an "automatic writing" technique at the piano, followed by a period of reflection before selecting final tracks. For instance, he completes and records an entire song in a single day, then revisits it after ten days to assess its merit. The discussion pivots to the collaborative aspect of *Spindrift*, highlighting the seamless integration of musicians despite limited prior experience working together. Finally, Lackner reflects on the healing power of music, particularly in the context of grief, and the freedom he found in relocating to Berlin, allowing him to develop his unique musical voice.