Anya M. Wassenberg's Blog: Art & Culture Maven, page 13

Heavy Metal Singles | International Furlough: Down on the Pharm (Independent / 25 March 2023)

Heavy Metal Singles
International Furlough: Down on the Pharm
(Independent / 25 March 2023)

Listen to Down on the Pharm on SpotifyListen to Blind In One Eye on Spotify

International Furlough is the musical alias of multi-instrumentalist lyricist Ian Luddy, who's in the midst of recording and releasing singles in the metal mode.

"Blind in one Eye and Down on the Pharm speak for themselves in terms of subject matter. Lyrics were inspired by a crippling dependence and strong discontentment. With the instrumental sections matching the heaviness of the lyrical themes, the end result is an engulfment in down tuned distortion, thick bass lines, and heavy drum beats that mirror the heaviness of the lyrics they support."

Guitar is Furlough's strong suit - he's brash, bombastic, de-tuned and driving. He knows the genre, and works its idioms. Down on the Pharm is relentless and aggressive. Blind In One Eye, released earlier this year, is more melodic overall. Ryan Elwood's drums add to the effect.

Vocally, though, he doesn't stand out. Delivery is monotonal and largely flat in terms of expression. A more passionate singer with a bigger voice would add a lot to the music. Alternatively, digital effects might have added dimensions to the vocal track. 

Personnel: Ian Luddy - bass, guitar, vocals; Ryan Elwood (Session) - drums

Links

Official Website: https://internationalfurlough.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/international_furlough

Opera On The Avalon | Telling Newfoundland's Stories

Opera On The Avalon
Telling Newfoundland's Stories

Find Out More At The Link

Opera on the Avalon, in St. John's, NL, is celebrating the announcement of their 15th season. Just how does an (any) arts organization last so long in a region far from the glittering big cities typically associated with the genre?

I asked the company's General & Artistic Director Cheryl Hickman a few questions about the company, below. 

Short answer: make opera relevant to the audience. 

First, a look at the coming season.

The SeasonFebruary: World Premiere

The world premiere of February, based on Lisa Moore's best-selling novel, will be the third work in OOTA's New Commission Series. The music is composed by Laura Kaminsky, with a libretto written by Moore and Kaminsky.

The story speaks directly to its environment, and pays a tribute to the Ocean Ranger tragedy. The offshore drilling unit sank in the Hibernia oil field near the Grand Banks, NFLD on Valentine's Day in 1982. Eighty-four men lost their lives in the incident, including 56 Newfoundlanders. 

The opera will be conducted by Judith Yan, and directed by Ruth Lawrence. The cast includes Katherine Pracht-Phares, Matthew Dalen, Leroy Davis, Pascale Spinney, Michael Kelly, Stephen Hegedus, and Lara Ciekiewicz in principal roles.

The creative team will include Alison Helmer as Set Designer, Keith Roberts as Costume Designer, Leigh-Ann Vardy as Lighting Designer, Cameron Davis as Projections Designer, and Don Ellis as Sound Designer. 

The World Premiere will be presented on October 13 and 14 2023, at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John's, NL.

75 x 75 - Marking 75 Years of Confederation

75 x 75 is a multidisciplinary project designed to marking the 75th anniversary of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Confederation with Canada. The project, featuring performance and interview material from more than 75 individuals, will shine a light on the cultural and historic impact of the event. 

It launches with a concert and storytelling event hosted at the Colonial Building on March 30, 2024 (available in-person or as a livestream). 

After the event, OOTA-TV will host the collection of videos and interactive displays focusing on the region's history and culture that will be available to view free of charge. 

The Interview Series will be led by CBC producer Rod Etheridge and journalist Sarah Antle.

New Young Artist Program

OOTA is committed to helping the next gen of talent in the opera sector. They've announced OOTA a new Young Artist Program (YAP). The comprehensive 12-month hybrid experience offers a realistic skillset and support for contemporary opera artists, including:

mentorship and coaching with industry leaders; professional performance opportunities;career development workshops;a multi-week Artistic Residency in St. John’s;12 months of financial support.

It's an invaluable opportunity to focus on learning for an entire year.

General & Artistic Director, Cheryl Hickman (L) and author Lisa Moore at the season announcement (Image courtesy of OOTA)Q&A with General & Artistic Director, Cheryl Hickman

Opera on the Avalon has been going for 15 years - that's an achievement in the arts all by itself. Would I be right in assuming there is strong support for opera in St. John’s? 

While the longevity of Opera on the Avalon, which has been thriving for 15 years, is indeed an impressive achievement in the arts - it does not necessarily imply a strong support for opera specifically. 

St. John's, as the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador, boasts a vibrant arts community with a diverse range of artistic expressions. While there is undoubtedly a considerable appreciation for the arts in the city, including various forms of visual arts, music, theatre, and literature - opera was not a genre that was readily available or accessible to local audiences. 

The support has increased as our audiences have grown with us over the last 15 years. Unlike many places, the work that has allowed us to increase our capacity the most has been our new commissions which have turned our history into art. We try and reflect the lives of the community around us on the stage.

February - the new commission - seems like a story that is, not to make light of it, made for an operatic treatment. How did the commission come about - how was this project chosen?

Newfoundland and Labrador is a province that is rich with stories. The commission for "February," based on the book by local writer Lisa Moore, came about through a thoughtful selection process that aimed to identify a project suitable for an operatic treatment, and based on a story from this place. 

One such story, and one that lives in the minds of many from this place - is the sinking of the oil rig the Ocean Ranger. The decision to commission this piece stemmed from the compelling nature of the story and of the book's potential to be translated effectively into an opera. 

The process of choosing a project for commissioning involves a collaboration between our artistic teams. We consider a range of factors, such as the artistic merit and narrative depth of the source material, its thematic resonance, and its potential to engage and captivate audiences within the operatic framework.

In the case of "February,"  Lisa Moore's book presented an intriguing narrative that possessed elements suitable for operatic adaptation. The story's emotional depth, character relationships, and dramatic events resonated strongly with our artistic team, making it an ideal candidate for our third new commission. 

Additionally, Lisa's status as a local writer with international success added a sense of cultural significance and relevance to the project, further enhancing its appeal.

Overall, the commission for "February" was a result of careful consideration, recognizing the potential of the story to thrive within the operatic realm, and the desire to create a compelling new work we feel will resonate with audiences both here and outside our region. 

Likewise, for 75 x 75, how did the project come together? What role did you play?

The genesis of the "75 x 75" project stemmed from a desire to celebrate the rich artistic heritage of our community and commemorate a significant milestone in our country’s history. To mark the 75th anniversary of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Confederation with Canada, we envisioned a transformative project that would bring together 75 people from our region representing a diverse range of disciplines and backgrounds.

To make this vision a reality, I took on the role of creative facilitator and curator and we are currently embarking on a collaborative journey, engaging with artists, community members, and various stakeholders. 

As the artistic director, my role is to shape the project's overarching concept and guiding its artistic direction. Our team is working closely with the selected artists, providing them with a platform to showcase their unique talents and perspectives. This involves curating their works, exploring thematic connections, and fostering collaborations between artists from different disciplines to create a cohesive and impactful presentation. 

As the artistic director, I am honoured to play a central role in conceiving and shaping this project. When it is released starting next March, we hope that it will be a testament to the power of artistic collaboration, community engagement, and the transformative potential of celebrating our local stories and artistic talent.

When will the Young Artist Program launch, and do you have a selection process in mind?

Our revamped Young Artist Program will be relaunched starting in September. We held auditions this winter, and artists are currently being selected from those auditions as we speak. 

shanawdithit, from the 2019 season:

Congolese Afro-Fusion | The Toronto debut of Jupiter & Okwess at Lee's Palace on July 8 2023

 From a media release

Batuki Music Society presents
The Toronto debut of Jupiter & Okwess
at Lee's Palace on July 8, 2023

Tickets Here

Batuki Music Society in association with The Beat Network and Wavelength present the Toronto debut of Jupiter & Okwess at Lee's Palace on Saturday July 8th! Get ready to experience the electrifying energy of Jupiter & Okwess!

Jupiter & Okwess are a Congolese afro-fusion band from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Led by the visionary frontman Jupiter Bokondji, the group combines traditional Congolese rhythms and melodies with funk, soul, and Western pop influences. With their unique sound, Jupiter & Okwess have quickly become one of the most acclaimed bands in African music.

Jupiter & Okwess

The band’s debut album ‘Kin Sonic’, released in 2017, earned them praise from critics and fans alike. The album’s single ‘Na Kozonga’ was even featured on the prestigious ‘Africa Express Presents’ compilation, alongside acts such as Damon Albarn, Seun Kuti, and Amadou & Mariam. 

Since then, Jupiter & Okwess have been touring extensively across Europe and Africa, playing large festivals and renowned venues. Their music is a bridge between the past and the future, taking the audience on a mesmerizing sonic journey of unique sounds from all around the world.

General Eclectic truly lives up to his name as one of Canada's most diverse DJs, taking you on a musical journey around the globe.

DATE: Jul 8, 2023VENUE: Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St W, TorontoTIME: 8pm General Eclectic, 10pm Jupiter & OkwessTICKETS: Advance $25 at Eventbrite, Door $30

Batuki Music Society gratefully acknowledges the support of Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada, Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council. Thanks to The Beat Network and Wavelength.

Travel Trends 2023: Mermaid Travel | Chill Like Ariel At Hotels Beneath The Sea

Travel Trends 2023: Mermaid Travel
Chill Like Ariel At Hotels Beneath The Sea

Could you sleep at an underwater hotel - knowing the waves are all around you?

With the big success of The Little Mermaid live remake, it seems that mermaid-themed travel is all the rage. Here's a look at where you can stay under the seas all over the world.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – Maldives Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – Maldives

The Mukukua House at the Conrad Maldives extends into a blue lagoon. The luxury three-bedroom comes with a 24-hour private butler service and a customized experience that includes the underwater bedroom. There is also a restaurant where you can dine 16-feet below the waves.

Atlantis, The Palm – Dubai Atlantis, The Palm – Dubai

Along with hotel suites that offer a view of the spectacular aquarium, an attraction on its own, there is the Atlantis Water Park where you can play in the water all day long. There are also dolphin and sea lion experiences to enjoy on site.

Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland

This truly unique hotel was built into a quarry, extending about 90 metres underground, and situated in what has become a kind of private cove. Located in Songjiang, approximately 40 minutes from downtown Shanhai, two complete floors of the luxury megahotel are underwater.

Resorts World Sentosa – Singapore Resorts World Sentosa – Singapore

The Equarius Ocean Suites at Resorts World Sentosa Singapore offer a spacious two-storey townhouse to stay in, with an outdoor patio and jacuzzi on the upper level. The lower level dips below the surface of the water for views of sealife from the bedroom suite. There is also fine dining available with a view of the watery world out the window.

Luminato Toronto: Ian Kamua's Loss June 14 to 18 2023

From a media release

Luminato Toronto:
Ian Kamua's Loss
June 14 to 18, 2023 

Tickets Here

Luminato Festival Toronto presents Ian Kamau’s Loss, produced by The Theatre Centre. This unique theatrical production was developed in Residency at The Theatre Centre, with support from the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario  Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Why Not Theatre, School without Borders, and TO Live.

Ian Kamau, Photo by Bryan Brock

At its heart is a live retelling of a family story that spans generations, as written by Kamau and his father Roger McTair. 

The multimedia performance begins with Kamau's story as he delves into a winter of depression. Bit by bit, he unravels the details of the mystery that surrounds the death of his paternal grandmother Nora Elutha Rogers. 

Live music, video, and storytelling combine in a story that delves into grief in Afro-Caribbean communities. The experience is intended to be immersive, and the healing shared with the audience. 

Bruce A. Russell, Music Director & Composer of Loss

Artist and designer Ian Kamau was the founding executive director of Nia Centre for the Arts. He holds a Bachelor and Masters in Design, a Masters in Environmental Studies, is an associate artist at The Theatre Centre and Why Not Theatre.

The live music for the show was composed by Bruce A. Russell, Ian Kamau, and Njo Kong Kie, and will be performed live by Bruce A. Russell on Piano, Dyheim Stewart on guitar, and Dennis Passley on tenor saxophone.

Travel California: San Francisco From The Water

Travel California:
San Francisco From The Water

As with any big city, there are many ways to explore San Francisco. Water shapes the city's boundaries, and it's a natural way to frame your travel experience in more ways than one. 

Here are some ideas.

Sailboat on San Francisco Bay by Mary Clark from Pixabay (CC0C)Boating

The San Francisco Sailing Company offers private yacht charters as well as daily sailing tours at affordable rates, like the Sunset Sail that includes a couple of drinks to help enjoy the panoramic views.

At Adventure Cat Sailing Charters, you can choose from daily sailing tours or private charters on a catamaran. With two hulls, a catamaran offers a generally more stable ride (good for newbies on the water). 

San Francisco Bay Adventure Sailing gives you the chance to get the America's Cup Sailing Experience as you join the crew on USA 76, a 50,000 lb carbon fibre yacht that was used by the Oracle Racing team at the 2003 America's Cup held in New Zealand. It's available for individuals as well as private parties, with ticketed trips available daily.

Ocean kayaking by Sarah Richter from Pixabay (CC0C)Other on-the-water adventures

At Ocean Beach, windsurfing and kiteboarding are available - with views of the Golden Gate Bridge from Crissy Park.

You can rent a kayak and head out on the Bay, with seakayaking classes available for novice or refreshers. for experienced kayakers, there are tours to the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and more.

As a stop along the migration route, San Francisco has two whale watching seasons, from December through April, when grey whales, sperm whales and orcas pass through the bay, and summer through to November, when blue or humpback whales can be spotted along their routes.

The Oceanic Society is an ethical whale watching provider, meaning they keep an appropriate distance, and do not engage or bother the animals. Their tours are educational, and the company has been conducting them since 1972.

Image courtesy of Indian Springs Spa & ResortHot Springs

With pools, water spas and fabulous surroundings, spa retreats are some of the best ways to enjoy the water.

Calistoga Spa Hot Springs

Tucked into the storied Napa Valley, you can enjoy Volcanic ash mineral bath treatements, massages, and much more, along with four outdoor natural geothermal mineral pool where the water temperatures reach up to 104°F. Located in Calistoga, the boutique resort and spa is an LGBTQ-friendly hotel.

Indian Springs Resort and Spa, Tassajara

Also located in Calistoga, Indian Springs is California's oldest continuously operating pool and spa. The resort is located on 16 acres of lush property planted with olive and palm trees, along with flowers. There are four thermal geysers on the property that ensure a supply of natural mineral water.

PRISM Project Announces Gen 6: Jun Akane and Yuki Kitashiro Debuting Live June 9, 2023

From a media release:

PRISM Project Announces Gen 6:
Jun Akane and Yuki Kitashiro
Debuting Live June 9, 2023

PRISM Project, a virtual talent management agency in the Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. family of virtual talent brands, announced two new talent additions to its roster, who will officially join as the agency’s sixth generation during their debut livestreams on June 9, 2023 beginning at 7:00 PM US Pacific Daylight Time/ 10:00 PM EST.

Check out the Livestream June 9 [HERE].

Jun Akane and Yuki Kitashiro make up the second wave of new debuts after PRISM Project’s transition into the Sony Music family in May 2022 and are also the first male-presenting characters to debut with PRISM Project.

Founded in January 2021, PRISM Project is a global virtual talent management agency headquartered in Tokyo, Japan which now has a roster of 17 talented musicians, vocalists, gamers, and personalities. 

Over 3,000 applications from 20 countries

During its General Audition 2022, from which Jun Akane and Yuki Kitashiro were selected as finalists, PRISM Project saw the largest number of applications in project history, with over three thousand applications from twenty countries and regions worldwide. 

PRISM’s General Audition 2022 placed a strong emphasis on advancing candidates who showed outstanding promise in developing not only their abilities and experiences as online content creators, but in bringing together a group with diverse skills, backgrounds, and personal accomplishments. Audition evaluators assessed candidates with a particular eye towards identifying talents with the potential to push the boundaries of what virtual talents can achieve, in both the online and offline entertainment industries.

PRISM Project also revealed its sixth-generation talents’ character images on both its official homepage and its official Twitter account, as well as announced each talent’s designer and illustrator: 

Hiyori Asahikawa designed the cheerful and skilled FPS gamer pirate Jun AkaneSuzuka Oda brought to life the icy prince and aspiring voice actor Yuki Kitashiro. 

In addition, fans should be sure to check PRISM Project’s official YouTube account for a debut trailer featuring the two new talents, voiced by the talents themselves.

Akane and Kitashiro will hold their debut relay live streams on Friday, June 9th starting at 7:00 PM US Pacific Daylight Time. Additional information about each talent will be posted via the talents’ social media channels in their weeklong pre-debut period.

Jun Akane Jun Akane

“I heard the greatest treasure is friendship! I don’t think they make shovels for that…”

Longing for escape from his life on the streets, Jun Akane found himself tempted by rumors of magical treasure that could change his life forever. A chance meeting with a mysterious bird led him to discover four magical stones with power over the elements, giving him the arcane power to overthrow the pirate lords that terrorized his island. As the new pirate captain, Jun raided and plundered the seas, but soon realized that he lacked the greatest treasure of all–friendship.

Japanese orthography: 赤金ジュン
Goals/Dreams: Searching for the greatest treasure in the world, friendship

Favorites: Valorant, League of Legends, sushi, Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another WorldSkills: FPS gaming, computer programmingCharacter Designer/Illustrator: Hiyori Asahikawa  Live2D Modeler: be-quest, INC.Official YouTube Account: @AkaneJunOfficial Twitter Account: @AkaneJun_Official TikTok Account: @AkaneJun_Debut Stream: 2023/6/9 7:00 PM PDTYuki Kitashiro

Yuki Kitashiro
"Hope you're not afraid of the cold… Wouldn’t want you getting frostbite."

A prince of a cold, icy northern kingdom, Yuki was identified at a young age for his magical talents but found himself pressed into service not as a diplomat-in-training or a great general-to-be, but as a child assassin. Rumors of his ghastly deeds spread, and so too did his internal conflict over what he had become. Darkness threatened to consume him whole, but at the brink of losing complete control, fate gave him a chance at redemption and guided him towards purer aspirations - that of happiness and acceptance.

Japanese orthography: 北城ゆき
Goals/Dreams: Prove to the world that everybody deserves the chance to be free and happy

Favorites: Horror games, Apex Legends, ONE OK ROCK, hotpot, rainy weatherSkills: ASMR, voice actingCharacter Designer/Illustrator: Suzuka Oda Live2D Modeler: be-quest, INC.Official YouTube Account: @yukikitashiroOfficial Twitter Account: @YukiKitashiroOfficial TikTok Account: @kitashiroyukiDebut Stream: 2023/6/9 8:00 PM PDT

PRISM Project 6th Generation
Jun Akane / Yuki Kitashiro
The Debut Relay Live Stream June 9 

Friday, June 9th 7:00 PM PDT - 9:00 PM PDT
7:00 PM PDT – Jun Akane
8:00 PM PDT – Yuki Kitashiro

Check out the Livestream June 9 [HERE].

Under the guidance of Sony Music’s expertise in the worldwide entertainment industry, PRISM Project aims to provide their talents with unrivaled opportunities in the virtual talent space to explore their potential in voice acting, music production, online/offline events, and interacting with new digital technologies.

PRISM Project Links

Homepage: https://www.prismproject.jp/Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/PRISMproj

Composer Matthew Reid: A Musical Life

Matthew Reid: A Musical Life

Listen to Berceuse by Sounds from a Box on Spotify

Toronto-based composer/sound designer/actor/writer Matthew Reid has been composing on the piano, and playing around with mathematics and Schönberg's early atonal works "just out of curiosity" as he says. He uses mathematics to create random pitches, which are then quantized digitally and turned into modal scales. 

composer/sound designer/actor/writer Matthew Reid, photo by Lisa Mark

It sounds impossibly complicated. You can check out the results in the video at the bottom.

His recent piano work, collected in the EP Sounds in a Box, have become enormously popular on streaming services. He's the former music director of Second City, and composer of The Second City Guide to the Symphony & Mass Hysterical.

I asked Matthew a few questions about his work and career.

The Q&A 

How/when did you first get into music - did you come from a musical family?

Very musical family. Music teachers and performers abound! My mom still directs choirs from the piano,well into retirement! My uncle was also the Music Director of Second City way back in the late 70s/early 80s so it’s cool to have that “family dynasty” there. 

I think I started later than most. I think I was ten and I suddenly got really interested in the idea of writing music, so I figured I should learn to play the piano or guitar or something. That first piece I wrote did not sound as much as Tchaikovsky as I’d hoped. My mom taught piano, so we had plenty of classical sheet music on hand. I had an old graded book from the 30s that I wanted to bash through from page one to the end. Für Elise was considered a grade three piece back then! Soon after, my friends and I were forming little rock bands. We did covers and originals! It wasn’t until I heard the Well Tempered Clavier for the first time when I was 14 or 15 that I decided I wanted to be a composer. I thought fugues were the most fascinating things I’d ever heard! I spent the next five years exclusively focusing on trying to write them. It would be unlocking a secret to the universe!

In 2017, he composed the score for the multi-award winning short Green Lake 

 
How did comedy and music come together for you?
Well, here’s the thing - I thought of them separately and tried to keep them apart, (tried!) but they tricked me into combining them. In my music, I intended to convey seriousness, on the other hand, in comedy, I intended to convey… well let’s face it, still my seriousness only with a ridiculous flavour
So really, it was a matter of circumstance. When I was a kid, I took comedy classes with Rob Salem, who was a prominent entertainment columnist at the time. For some unknown reason, I began incorporating parody songs into my performances, even though I had no knowledge of Weird Al Yankovic in '82! But for a long stretch after that - nothing! I continued to keep music and comedy separate, like warring, Shakespearean families. Or cats and dogs - also Shakespearian. It wasn't until I reengaged in sketch comedy in my late 20s, specifically with my comedy partner Sean Browning,  that I started writing funny songs again, perhaps hoping that people would discover my serious musical work as a result. In my early 30s, I started working at Second City as a music director - I thought it would just be a temporary gig! I had no idea I’d end up with the company for almost 20 years.
You created the Second City Guide To The Symphony in 2014 - do you think the classical music world lends itself to comedy in some ways?
Well, parody and satire are often associated with larger-than-life personalities. But we all know the world of classical music doesn’t have any egos or eccentrics. So, abso-LUTE-ly not! Seriously, though, seriously. The Guide to the Symphony project was a real joy to create. Carly Heffernan and Scott Montgomery did the majority of the writing. There were so many things the humour could target. The fact that classical music is associated with such seriousness made it easy to find comedy not just from, say putting iconic composers in goofy or anachronistic situations, put you could touch on things like performance anxiety, audience habits, and don’t forget that marketing department that desperately needs to get the hip kids in those seats! In a way, it was no different than making a show about doctors. “Do you think the world of medicine lends itself to comedy in some ways?” It’s supposed to be serious, so anything that pokes even the slightest hole in it, or puts the “we’re only human” context into it can be funny. Also, from a strictly compositional POV, I really enjoy “playing it straight” with the music. I wanted the music to colour the funny lyrics, but not over explain them. I find it far more effective than music that beats you over the head with, "This is funny! Hear those wah-wah trombones and kazoos? Why aren’t you laughing??" 
Your biography describes you as a "classical music provocateur" - is that part of what drives you to create in innovative ways?

Ha ha. Really, I’ve only really “provoked” a few times. Some years ago I “autotuned” John Cage’s 4’33” to a C major chord progression. Recently, as you saw, I pitch-quantized some of Schonberg’s early atonal works to make them sound like Debussy. I was also going to pitch quantize a Boulez piece with a dance club beat under it: Le Marteau, Remastered. Didn’t get around to it yet. There’s obviously a lot of fun to be had with the world of modern music, but little of it came from the inside. But these little teases, I hoped to be musically interesting in their own rights. “You autotuned air??” So, in these cases, it was jokes for a very niche audience that inspired innovation.

 
Apart from this, innovation in my work comes from trying to avoid my own clichés and find new ways to surprise myself. There is also a degree of logic puzzle in some of my more recent works. Ultimately, it’s to discover new things that I like. Pretty boring, actually, but it seems to have kept my hair from falling out and going grey! Solving problems and making discoveries, while creating little things that you like to listen to is a pretty nice way to spend your free time. Although it still doesn’t sound like Tchaikovsky. 
Your recent releases (non-comedic!) have become quite popular on streaming platforms. I'd say your style as a composer is quite atmospheric, and not surprisingly cinematic in scope. How would you describe your musical style? Is there something in particular you are looking to leave with your listeners? 
Ha. What I have on streaming platforms is kind of a dog’s breakfast! It’s really eclectic. Under my own name, I have not only, my early and contemporary “serious” works, but jazz, pop and a ton of background production music that’s been dumped on there by some music libraries I’ve worked with. Curiously, the biggest classical hit I’ve had under my own name was a piece that I composed in second year composition school - that was a big surprise. And I re-arranged some of the pieces I created for my 3rd year medieval composition program which now are popular as background music for people playing Dungeons & Dragons. 
I have music under a couple of “artist names” that have (surprisingly!) taken off. Sounds from a Box, is one, but Closed Lids is interesting in that I applied one of my very experimental composition methods to create pieces that will ultimately be used as background music. I’m fascinated that something like that can go “mainstream”. I try to put craftsmanship into everything I create - really, I don’t like creating anything that I, personally, find boring. That’s even the stuff where the audience is a priority, i.e., music for a relaxation playlist, a film score, etc. When I have the luxury to create a piece of music for music’s sake, something that I might attach an opus number to, I’m really not thinking so much about listeners but I do hope to create things that I, personally, enjoy listening to. When I first started composing, it was a reaction to a very physical, euphoric sensation that came from some pieces of music. I wanted to learn how to make such a thing! It would be like discovering one of the universe’s secrets. Or, at the very least, like chasing the dragon. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not out to write music out of some contempt for an audience. I do hope that there are people who discover and enjoy this musical side of me, it’s definitely not written to intentionally turn people off. I hope people can listen to it out of enjoyment first! And then the enjoyment might make them wonder how the pieces were made. I never would have been interested in “how to compose” if the “what was composed” didn’t hold some kind of magic. Okay, so I lied, I want to leave my listeners with magic. Magic for all! 
Are there any other new or ongoing projects you'd like to mention? 
I’ve been collaborating with my old friend, Angola Murdoch, on a piece of circus theatre that I’m really enjoying. We’re very close to taking it on tour. I’m making music that uses some of my “serious” compositional methods as a backbone to atmospheric improvisation. Which is appropriate because it’s literally a piece about Angola’s backbone - cliffhanger!I’ve also been having some fun collaborating with composer/polymath Stuart Diamond & computer engineer/music enthusiast Chuck Heaton. I can’t get too much into it yet, but it’s involving making music with math, and we’re going to unlock the secrets of the universe. I think. So people had better start sucking up to us now. Retuned Schönberg "I've been playing with pitch quantization of music created by mathematics - more about that another time - with interesting results. It made me curious what would happen if I applied this quantization to the work of a well-known atonal composer. Enjoy! ...Or hate. It's done in the spirit of curiosity & humour." 
Arnold Schönberg, Three Piano Pieces, Op. 11 No. 1 (reconceptualized by Matthew Reid)
 

From Belize | Lebeha Drummers: Biama (May 19, 2023 / Neuma Records)

From Belize
Lebeha Drummers: Biama
(May 19, 2023 / Neuma Records)

Stream It/Buy It Here

It may be impossible to sit still while listening to the Lebeha Drummers of Belize. Biama showcases their work, and the Garifuna culture. 

The tracks blend traditional songs with those written by members of the group and their contemporaries. 

The Lebeha Drummers are:

Jabbar Lambey: SegundaWarren Martinez: Vocals, Primero, Shakkas, Turtle ShellsClayton Williams: Vocals, Segunda, Primero, ShakkasAdditional Vocals and Claves: Marcela Torres 

The Garinagu

In 1635, a ship was wrecked off the coast of St. Vincent in the Lesser Antilles. It would change the culture of the region forever. 

The ship's hold was full of West and Central Africans who were destined for slave markets in the Caribbean. Instead, they swam ashore and began lives as freed peoples among the Arawak and other Indigenous Caribbeans peoples. Their culture and language (the written version of which is fairly recent), cuisine and clothing are still distinctive, centuries later in Belize as well as parts of Honduras, Nicaragua and the US. 

The music 

The Lebeha Drumming Center of Hopkins Village in Belize was formed in 2003 by Jabbar Lambey and Dorothy Pettersen as a way of preserving Garifuna culture. Their first album was released in 2005. Almost two decades later, some of those same kids - now adults, of course - are professional musicians. 

International fans helped bankroll the new recording at at Stonetree Studios near the Guatemalan border.

The music is based on strong rhythmic patterns, common in West and Central African cultures, and includes vocals and drums, with the additon of calabash shakers and turtle shells on some tracks. 

Traditional rhythms are used: punta, paranda, chumba, wanaragua, and hüngühüngü. The Lebeha Drummers always play unplugged in the traditional manner.

The release is an expression of a culture that has refused to become assimilated through four centuries. One of the original songs by Clayton Williams sums up the sense of defiance and pride: Garifuna Nuguya (I Am Garifuna). 

Inventively Evocative | Glen Whitehead: Pale Blue (May 19, 2023 / Neuma Records)

Inventively Evocative
Glen Whitehead: Pale Blue
(May 19, 2023 / Neuma Records)

Buy It/Stream It Here

Musician (trumpet, electronics) and composer Glen Whitehead carries a microphone on his outdoor adventures, and if he can, his trumpet too. He finds the musical structures that come naturally to aspecific place, and brings them to life. 

That's the impetus of Pale Blue, an image that refers to our world.

Recorded natural sounds and trumpet are brought together, with sound processing that adds another dimension. The recordings come from his wanderings in  Colorado, France, Greece, Hawaii, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Turkey, and Wyoming. That includes the rushing headwaters of the Rio Grande, coyotes and cicadas, or the ambient sounds from a rooftop in Istanbul.

Pale Blue, the title track, uses a jazzy trumpet line to contrast a bed of electronic and natural sounds. It's the kind of formula that sound gimmicky, until you hear it done this well. 

With a spacious mix of abstract trumpet, squiggly electronic lines and white noise, blended with natural sounds, Dawn of the Din evokes big spaces - the smallness of self subsumed in the sonic panorama of life. It's effectively atmospheric. 

In M(aias)aura, the trumpet becomes one of several melodic threads - the rest mostly carried by animal calls. The natural harmonies and dissonances rise and fall against the pattern of a running creek.

Each track offers a different mood. For Wilderness of Mirrors, he's joined by Mert Gunal on the ney, a type of Turkish flute. Dr. Colin McAllister plays electric and classical guitar on Pila del Ángel, adding new textures to the mix. 

It makes for interesting listening.