a host of latecomers
updates on my new work for manipulated breath recordings, a new single, recent activities, and events of interest.
hey friends. hope you’re doing well and enjoying the sun.
what i’ve been up to … creatively?
if you paid attention to my last missive, you’d know that i’ve been working on a new sound art installation that focuses on manipulated recordings of breath. while there’s much to do on the piece still, i’m happy to say the composition, recording, and mixing is done, and that the title of the piece is ASPIRÉMONOS. the piece will be released on a limited set of lathe-cut 7” records that also will be incorporated into the installation.
as the gallery show gets finalized i’ll share more here. massive props go to the nineteen(!) people who sent in recordings of their breath. huge thanks as well as my comp teacher Max whose feedback and guidance has been essential to helping me achieve the tight timelines for this piece. (check out his forthcoming new album as Peretsky on Whited Sepulchre!)
in addition to that, i released a new single, RUEHRWERKE, about a week and a half ago. these are two improvisations recorded in during the gloomy Seattle November, each one very different in style. the title track is for snare drum and electronics (portents for my live actions last winter), and the other is one on digital piano in memory of Dorothy Allison. both rely on heavy tape manipulation. i also finally the she’s buoyant posters and scores for sale, too.
in addition to the gallery show, stay tuned for some more upcoming performances this summer. i’m excited to share more stuff in process.
what else have i been doing?
it’s been a busy time, between art-work, work-work, and just keeping the executive function going. (on that note, i forgot to start a load of laundry.) i’m getting by listening to Speaking Canaries, Scott Walker, Soul II Soul, Storm & Stress, and other artists with a capital S.
i’ve been trying to keep blocking out time for reading (mostly articles, some books). i just read this piece by Sarah Hennies in e-flux last night, and it’s strongly recommended as a reflection on power and equity in music composition. i’m behind on my reading of M.E. O’Brien and Eman Abdelhadi’s Everything for Everyone. cultivating attention feels hard to do.
the week before last i had a birthday. my beloveds and i had a nice homemade dinner of mushroom/asparagus risotto and chocolate cake with banana italian meringue buttercream and peanut butter mousse. the day after i went to Unpoetry @ Analog Coffee and got to talk to Eric and my girlfriend’s mom. i really enjoyed the readings by all four writers (Natasha Varner, Joyce Chen, Kristel Chua, and Ebo Barton).
other than working on art this last weekend, i made it to the Seattle Art Book Fair. i got to say hi to the Jessica from Paper Press Punch and Amy from Common Area Maintenance in addition to buying a handful of stuff from Wave Books, Adelaide Blair, Raspberry Bow Press, and Sming Sming Books.
in addition to that i got the chance to see Godspeed You! Black Emperor on Friday. i cry a lot when i go see live music and GYBE got me good. i’ve said more than once that they are what the end of the world sounds like, and that they bear a prophetic message. to be honest, that message hit a lot different this time around with the world on fire more than usual. go, go, go to one of the remaining tour dates. i daresay i might try to make it to the midwest in time for another one of those shows, or maybe out east.
and finally, it’s once again time for me to be in the process of training for Pride Deadlift Party on June 21. i’m trying to raise $315 (4 plates) to contribute to their fundraiser for local LGBTQIA2+ organizations, if you’re feeling generous.
what’s on the agenda, Seattle?
May 15: Unpoetry avec Shyanne Steele, Sullivan Forderhase, BLUEs.Weave, Quenton Baker @ Frye Art Museum (704 Terry Ave, 98104)
May 15: WEIRD VIBES avec CSTMR, Adam Lion, Aaron Michael Butler/John Teske/Peter Tracy, Adam Levitt @ Bad Bar (815 5th Av N, 98109)
May 16: Wilson Shook/Gust Burns/Mark Kaylor, Adam Lion/Aaron Michael Butler, Ahmad Yousefbeigi/Noel Kennon @ Gallery 1412 (1412 18th Ave, 98122)
May 17 & 18: Sustainable Style repair and mending workshop @ Common Objects (2601 1st Ave, 98121)
May 21: We Contain Landscapes book launch avec Ally Ang, Woogee Bae, Quenton Baker, Gabrielle Bates, Rachel Edelman, Constance Hansen, Luther Hughes, Patrycja Humienik, Nanya Jhingran, Corbin Louis, Miriam Milena, Troy Osaki, Dujie Tahat @ Common Objects (2601 1st Ave, 98121)
May 21: Sasami @ Neumo’s (925 E Pike St, 98122)
May 22: Unpoetry avec u-na, Alma Vatya, Kole Galbraith, Patheresa Wells, Eric M Acosta @ Gallery 1412 (1412 18th Ave, 98122)
May 24: Other People’s Poems avec Joyce Chen, Amy Hirayama, Diana Xin @ Open Books (108 Cherry St, 98104; masks required)
& looking ahead to June 7: Jake Muir, Raica @ Chapel Performance Space (4649 Sunnyside Ave N, 98103; advance tix)
stay precious. i’ll see you soon.
xoxo
marĂa