I sometimes compose works involving experimental or abstract ways of making sound and I have been getting back into publishing my own writings. You can find some of that work here. I also publish a periodic newsletter with thoughts on rhythm, music, life and how they all tie together.
Souls above water: building a scene for disabled musicians in Chicago
This article, co-authored by Stephanie Alma and me, details my relationship with disability and getting into music, and what we’re doing to create more opportunities for disability culture to flourish.
Towards radical empathy
Sociologist Luke Cianciotto and I co-published this essay about disability, skateboarding and the rhythm of belonging in the Urban Pamphleteer’s skateboarding issue.
Percussuation (Per-cuss-u-ation)
I was recently asked by Australian multimedia artist Fayen d’Evie to create a piece that uses a screenreader to generate rhythmic material. Fayen is a fellow member of the Society of Visually Impaired Sound Artists. Screenreaders are what we use to navigate digital spaces. The software gets behind-the-scenes of the code on webpages and software applications in order to allow us to access the digital aspects of daily life. It’s essential to keep up in the 21st century, but it’s not all easy. Many software developers still do not create their work with accessibility in mind. As a result, I’m frequently stuck at a simple checkout form or job application page with a glitching voice in my ear and no way of proceeding independently. Percussuation exploits this literal and sonic madness and turns it into something a little fun. If you have a built-in screenreader (VoiceOver on iPhone / Mac or Narrator on Windows), you can turn it on and enjoy this piece.
Chicago Noise Orchestra
I serve as conductor and co-leader of the Chicago Noise Orchestra, an community workshop group dedicated to expression through sound. We meet every third Thursday of the month at the Agitator Gallery.
Society of Visually Impaired Sound Artists
I create collaborative sound art with SOVISA. We’ve performed at Experimental Sound Studio, the Art Institute, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
The Harmony of Rhythm
I am working on a forthcoming collection of essays about rhythm, music culture and disability. It should be available in digital and print late 2024.