LONDON — The Naked Boys Reading (NBR) literary salon will pay tribute to Patrick Cowley Thursday night with readings from the late, pioneering composer’s newly published journals.
Cowley’s early 1980s gay porn soundtracks, dubbed “pornophonics,” set an indelible, influential tone for all-male adult.
Often credited as a pioneer of electronic and Hi-NRG dance music, Cowley achieved fame in the late 1970s for his synthesizer work, including with Sylvester on such hits as “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” as well as an influential 15-minute remix of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” and a number of club play chart-toppers.
Shortly before his death from AIDS in late 1982, at age 32, Cowley also provided the soundtrack to a number of gay adult films produced by John Coletti’s Fox Studio.
There has been a resurgence of interest in his work in recent years. Indie label Dark Entries has led the charge, partnering with Honey Soundsystem on a series of reissues of Cowley’s soundtracks, including Dazed” (2013), “Muscle Up” (2015) and “Afternooners” (2017).
Earlier this year, more than 40 reels of previously unknown music by Cowley were unearthed.
Last month, on what would have been his 69th birthday, Dark Entries issued “Mechanical Fantasy Box,” a collection of 13 unreleased songs and Cowley’s “homoerotic journal of the same title,” described as “a collection of Cowley's work from the years preceding his meteoric rise as a pioneer of Hi-NRG dance music. This was before drum machines. Before programmable, polyphonic digital synthesis, this is experimental music in every sense.”
The journal contains “vivid descriptions of cruising in ‘70s SoMA sex venues to primal highs in Buena Vista Park and composing pornophonics in his Castro apartment. The entries are introspective and show a very out-front, alive person going through the throes of gay liberation post-Stonewall.”
The NBR literary salon event will feature nude men sharing excerpts from Cowley’s journal.
“Cowley chronicled his sexploits in the Bay in the most delicious of manners,” said an NBR rep. “Beginning in 1974, the journal ends on Cowley's 30th birthday; we follow him as he rises to fame as a disco recording artist legend. Our boys will bring you some juicy extracts. The event is curated by Dark Entries founder and DJ-dreamboat Josh Cheon. 'Cum' get some ‘Menergy,’ babes! Bring poppers. You'll need them.
For additional details about “Naked Boys Reading: Patrick Cowley’s Sex Journals,” click here.
Click here for details about the Dark Entries release of “Mechanical Fantasy Box,” including deluxe versions with additional features.