Musical Meditations with Birds
Earth and Ether Trio: Stacey Bliss, James Harley, Reza Yazdanpanah
Recorded at ADAPPS, University of Guelph
Photos: TrefVizionz, Stacey Bliss
Birds recorded at Long Point, ON
Episode 56 of the SOUNDLAB New Music Podcast featuring Mâkhi Xenakis and James Harley
Episode 56 of the SOUNDLAB New Music Podcast features an interview with Mâkhi Xenakis and James Harley on the 100th anniversary of Iannis Xenakis’ birth. The podcast was produced with support from the Research Fund, College of Arts, University of Guelph.
SOUNDLAB is hosted by Paul Steenhuisen. To listen to the soundscape and interview podcast, visit the link below:
Interactive Improvisation in Times of Isolation
The aim of this project is to creatively showcase the realities of living in isolation. The group will produce a series of 14 short audio-video recordings of individual improvisational responses to ambient recordings (e.g., early morning birdsongs) and responses to each other’s improvisations in lieu of collaborating in person. The ambient recordings signify the current reality, where nature exists, even thrives, with muted human intervention. The responses to the soundscape recordings signify our awareness of that reality “out there”, with our emotional responses to the isolation we are experiencing. The interactions to each other’s responses signifies our adaptability, where we find ways to listen and engage, when in a “normal” situation we would interact face-to-face in the moment. Deep and critical listening can still be undertaken, even acting in physical isolation. The project also draws on awareness of neuro-diversity, where autism (and other assessments such as FASD) engenders creative responses to other, ongoing forms of isolation. Isolation can be uncomfortable when enforced, but can provide space for reflection and creative engagement.
James Harley – Producer
Judit Csobod
Marcela Echeverri
Erin Felepchuk
Ben Finley
Brent Rowan
Carey West
Reza Yazdanpanah
Marcela Echeverri – Audio-Video Assistant
Ann Westbere – Project Assistant
International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation Research Page: http://improvisationinstitute.ca/research-project/interactive-improvisation-in-times-of-isolation/
All fourteen videos from the project: https://vimeo.com/user121150838
Consort of the Birds – IF 2020 Video Performance https://vimeo.com/446529817
Soundscapes: https://www.jamesharleymusic.com/work/soundscape-work
Wild Fruits Project
Wild Fruits 1: Prologue https://soundcloud.com/jim-harley/wild-fruits-prologue-excerpt
Wild Fruits 2: Like a ragged flock, like pulverized jade
Wild Fruits 3: Chestnuts
Wild Fruits 4: Winter
Wild Fruits 5: Epilogue
On Frogs: https://soundcloud.com/jim-harley/on-frogs
Northern India Soundscapes: https://soundcloud.com/jim-harley/northern-india-soundscape