“Stillman communicates through layered jazz arrangements, playing most of the instruments himself but conjuring the sound of a full ensemble—one with the ability to mystify, dazzle, and soothe with every twist.” PITCHFORK
“Stillman sounds as if he’s drawing on a deep reserve of sacred conviction.” AQUARIUM DRUNKARD
Robert Stillman is a composer and multi-instrumentalist from the northeast United States, currently based in Margate, UK. His music draws upon influences of Jazz, Minimalism, American Folk music, and experimental electronic music to create something that defies straightforward stylistic categorisation.
Stillman’s music takes the form of studio recordings (11 under his name), multi-media installations, and experimental radio broadcasts. His music has received praise from the Observer, the Wire, Mojo, Aquarium Drunkard, and Uncut, and has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 2, NTS, Worldwide FM, and WFMU, and included on playlists curated by Thom Yorke, Gilles Peterson, M.C. Taylor (Hiss Golden Messenger), Bandcamp (Bandcamp New and Notable), and Norman Records.
Much of Stillman’s past few years has been spent with The Smile (Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood and Sons of Kemet’s Tom Skinner), touring with them as their solo support act, and as a performing member of the band. He has contributed saxophone and clarinets to their three LP’s, and served as band leader for Thom Yorke’s ‘Confidenza’ film soundtrack, as well as playing woodwinds on this recording. His remix of their track ‘Instant Psalm’ was released on XL Recordings as a 12″ single in 2025.
Stillman is also a regular member of Tom Skinner’s band, appearing on the International Anthem LPs ’ Live at Mu’ and ‘Kaleidoscopic Visions’.
He has shared bills with bands as diverse as Deerhoof, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone/Advance Base, Dirty Projectors, and Yo La Tengo, and has collaborated in performance and recording with acts such as Dave Okumu, Grizzly Bear, Hiss Golden Messenger, Kit Downes, and Adem Ilhan.
He is also part of a collaborative trio formerly know as ‘Bog Bodies’ with drummer Sean Carpio and guitarist Anders Holst.
His recordings are released by Orindal Records (USA) and Kit Records (UK/EU), and he is published by Mute Song.
(Photo credit: Richard Birch)