Sunday, June 19, 2011

Be Reasonable

I've started collaborating (doing music & sound design) with performance artist Anthony Julius Williams (he's on the left, I'm on the right).


He's doing a powerful piece that takes on the legacy of slavery, the prison-industrial complex, racism, the War on (Some) Drugs, police brutality, and other things.
He wants it to be heavy and thought-provoking, but ultimately hopeful.
I'm coming up with sounds and music to support his vision...

This comes at a perfect time, as this quarter I took Pamela Blotner's "Artist as Witness" class, which was all about effectively addressing political issues through art.

On June 14 Anthony did a 42 minute run-through of the show at JFK University.
I was amazed at the power of his conception and performance.
He integrated the sounds I gave him very well, and I felt like the music evoked the moods he wanted. The pace of his diction and movements, and his use of repetition create a truly hypnotic effect.

I haven't used this piece--"Be Reasonable"--in the show yet, but I think it can fit in there.
It's still a work in progress...I gave the bass the depth it needed, but I think the drums have to be more in-yo'-face.

Anthony has found a director and lighting designer and is searching for a venue.
I'm excited to develop my contributions and am looking forward to the official debut in the fall!

Be Reasonable by Winstontaneous

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