In this March 2021 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Jim O'Rourke talks about 1980s and '90s Chicago music, the impact of studying on creativity, and his move to Japan. This episode features a playlist assembled by Jim.
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Interviews, audio, press releases and more content about ESS and the artists we work with.
Read Robert W. Karr, Jr.’s article on Kikù Hibino’s installation “Fell to Fern” for The Chicago Shimpo.
Read MoreESS is pleased to announce Camila Nebbia as the ESS 2022 Curatorial Fellow! For her fellowship, Camila envisions a series that can unite intergenerational female, non-binary, transgender and other underrepresented gender identity in experimental/free improvised/electronic music from different parts of the world.
Read MoreIn this November 2021 conversation with Andrew Clinkman, Karen Ng talks about her technical exploration as a saxophonist, her ups and downs of her musical education, and they both discuss the similarities and differences of the Chicago v. Toronto scenes.
Read MorePlease read before planning your visit to Florasonic at the Lincoln Park Conservatory
Read MoreSpecial Edition Archive Dive: Staff Picks. To kick off a new era of Archive Dives we're bringing you a few favorites from the ESS staff, including selections featuring Vernon Reid & Laraaji; Isotope 217; Julia Holter & Olivia Block; Jim O'Rourke; Joe McPhee & Tomeka Reid; and AJ McClenon, Amina Ross, & Jared Brown.
Read MoreIn this October 2018 conversation with Andrew Clinkman, Greg Kelley talks about developing a palette of sounds for the trumpet, the importance of context and narrative to an improvised set, and seeing how much “music” can be taken out of music.
Read MoreESS is pleased to announce that Friedrich Andreoni has been selected as the 2022 Alba Artist-in-Residence.
Read MoreESS is seeking a part-time Archives Manager to oversee preservation and engagement of the Creative Audio Archive. The Creative Audio Archive (CAA) is a Chicago based center for the preservation and investigation of innovative and experimental sonic arts and music. CAA was formed in response to growing concerns over the general state of historical preservation of non-mainstream audio, in particular, recordings, print, and visual ephemera related to avant-garde and exploratory sound and music of the last five decades.
Read MoreESS is seeking a Curatorial Fellow to explore virtual engagement and online sonic art presentation in a two month period between July 1-November 30, 2022 (exact dates TBD). Applications due May 31. This program is intended to create space for the exploration of frameworks, strategies, and structures for presenting work and connecting artists and audiences within streaming and virtual presentation platforms.
Read MoreThroughout the spring, ¼” and XLR level ESS members have the incredible opportunity to experience “Living Room Pieces,” a sound installation designed to live with you in your home created by Michael J. Schumacher. Read an interview with Schumacher about his practice and this unique installation project.
Read MoreListen or read the ESS newsletter from 04/21/2022 including an announcement of BOUNDARYMIND, and the spring 2022 Bridge residency at ESS.
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