Past Events

Oakland electro-acoustic unit Black Spirituals make their NY debut. At the ecstatic intersection of rich harmonic tones and heart-thumping percussion, Black Spirituals transform performance sites with ritualistic communication, and manipulate temporal experience with their “Multi-Aesthetic Approach to Improvisation."

The fourth installment of Yarn/Wire/Currents celebrates the ensemble's 10th anniversary season and their recent release on ISSUE’s Distributed Objects imprint. The concert program features world premieres by David Bird, Sam Pluta, and electronics visionary Mark Fell; doors open with DJ & reception at 7pm.

Japanese sound artists Akio Suzuki and Aki Onda have been collaborating extensively in recent years. They perform with self-made instruments, analogue tape machines and radios, wood pieces, nails, hammer, and daily objects, by responding to the architecture, acoustics and energy of the performance space.

For decades, Lonnie Holley has devoted his life to improvisational creativity. Born out of struggle, hardship, and more importantly, out of furious curiosity and biological necessity, his practice has recently manifested in sound. His deeply layered, fully improvised music and lyrics morph and evolve in each event.

Choreographer Kim Brandt premieres a new work for large ensemble as part of her 2015 ISSUE residency. A series of systems for a “body of bodies” to move within, the piece explores a process in which the group metamorphoses through the sum of its parts.

Malcolm Goldstein has extended the sonic boundaries of improvisatory practice and the violin since the early 1960s. Tonight, he presents a 4-part solo program dedicated to Ornette Coleman, including Coleman's 1986 composition "Trinity", a modular suite of solo pieces dedicated to the performer.

Andrew Lampert presents a collection of new and recent pieces from his deep back catalog of films, videos, and performances. This evening is built around a number of new instruction-based performances, combining elements of predetermined structure and improvisation.

Lea Bertucci explores the sonic qualities of a decrepit alto sax uncovered from Bradley Eros' basement, with a live collage of 35mm slide and 16mm film projections by Eros. Anthony Saunders, of seminal harsh noise group Bastard Noise, performs with Bertucci on bass clarinet, celebrating the duo's first cassette.

A series of new works investigate intersections of tape and live performance, and composition with improvisation. A “portrait” combines real-time performance and pre-arranged recordings as a subjective homage. Another piece is built from acoustic recordings of Columbia's electronically-defunct RCA Mark II Synthesizer.

Artist/filmmaker Madison Brookshire presents a piece for solo guitar featuring Che Chen, and a multimedia ensemble work. Francesco Gagliardi stages a series of acoustic performances for manipulated objects, handmade and found. Paula Matthusen crosses field recordings and improv featuring recorder player Terri Hron.

AMPLIFY 2015 opens with a night of three duos. Chicago-based composer Olivia Block and NYC turntablist Maria Chavez play for the first time together. Exploratory percussionist Sean Meehan and Tokyo's Taku Unami, as well as LA-based composer Michael Pisaro and sound artist Graham Lambkin reprise their collaborations.

The second night of Amplify 2015 sees first time duo performances by Michael Pisaro with Ben Owen, and Graham Lambkin with Taku Unami. Olivia Block and Jason Lescalleet present a collaborative composition for inside grand piano, amplified objects and real-time processing.