Many species use sound to communicate. Elsa Nilsson, Santiago Leibson, Marty Kenney and Rodrigo Recabarren asked themselves; what is the line that makes sound music? If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then isn’t music in the ear of the listener? As they listened to words around them they became enchanted with the subtleties in the sounds of voices. It began with Rodrigo playing rhythms along with speeches where he wanted to accentuate the meanings of what was being said. He sent Elsa Maya Angelou’s “On the Pulse Of Morning” full of rocks, rivers and trees. Elsa fell in love with the deep musicality present in every sound. She listened and heard echoes of Ornette Coleman in how Maya Angelou ended her phrases. She heard thematic development and musical build in the pitch materials.
Together this band took the time to hear the musical communication in the sounds of Maya Angelou’s words. They play with her voice, enhancing the music that is already there and bringing to light the full depth of her sonic brilliance along with her poetic brilliance.
John Cage heard music in every sound. Groove in a tin can. Humor and art co-existing. This band takes a similar approach to communication. Intentionality does not require a plan, directionality does not imply rigidity. With the wide open space of the music ahead they stand together with their toes over the edge and jump.