These last few months have been quite a journey from experiments in temporary community to thinking of the sounds of diaspora to growing what feels like a synth garden to having a newfound obsession with the devil, so much has happened and on top of it all, I had a birthday last month.
LACUNA
Back in November, the artist SYANIDE reached out asking me to contribute a piece to a 10 hour stream they were curating in collaboration with Montez Press Radio which premiered on February 23rd of 2021 from 12pm-10pm EST. They have a wonderful Facebook Group that focuses on black artists in experimental music. The curated segment, titled “LACUNA,” is focused on landscaping hidden/obscured territory arcanely embedded in diasporan memory.
I’ve been thinking a lot about my relationship to music and sound, especially in regards to my family’s history to music and the way that influenced my own upbringing and current sonic practice.
A lot of this has been doing some deeper dive into ancestral work and learning about folks that I haven’t met and I have learned SO much even though I still know SO little. I’ll be writing more about this all for a piece coming out in the next few months, but in the meantime, you can listen to my mix for LACUNA which features music I made in high school along with some newer stuff in addition to music from my granduncle James Davis and grandaunt Essie Mae Davis.
This mix feels super special and I am in such deep gratitude to my ancestors and for non-linear time which allows me to share space with all kinds of energy and beings.
Last weekend, I began an energy work training, and the synchronicity of the work being done in community there and my sonic and artistic work is so mind-blowing. Will have to come write more soon about non-linear time, animism, embodiment, and magical practice soon (which is already what I often write about but the ideas are becoming somewhat more synthesized and ecological).
SYNTH LIBRARY NYC
Additionally, me and Heidi Sabertooth have been doing so much work to get the SYNTH LIBRARY NYC together! Right now we have a launch date of May and have already gotten donations from Moog, Novation, Make Noise, Landscape FM, and my fave Youtuber Ricky Tinez.
We’re looking for synths, samplers, drum machines, cords, cases, headphones, headphone adapters, and any other electronic music equipment.
Perhaps, you have something you’d like to donate? If so, fill out our donation form so we can get in touch with you.
A Few Other Random Things!
I’m currently doing a deep dive into the social history of the devil. Would love to hear from you if you have any thoughts.
Learning entirely new workflow for gear and software is quite an intimidating process. I’m borrowing my roommate’s Digitakt and it feels so powerful but also so easy to mess up and just delete everything. When was the last time you had to learn an entirely new workflow?
Currently listening to this mix by Passionfruit. I aspire to do live dj sets surrounded by plants like this.
One of my open tabs: Class 1 - People and Power // The Real World of Technology
Something I’ve enjoyed eating: These Overnight Oats
A question I am asking myself: Am I grieving? How do you grieve something that feels continuous with no end?
A question I am asking you (from the Audre Lorde Questionnaire to Oneself): What do you need to say? [List as many things as necessary]