Ear Expansion Podcast

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host by LaMont Hamilton is inc conversation with multi-dimensional artist Jordan Deal. The conversation explores Jordan's artistic journey, rooted in various mediums including sound, performance, poetry and installation. Jordan discusses their early sonic influences growing up in Philadelphia, influenced by a diverse array of music. They reflect on important milestones such as their engagement with political thought and Black radical traditions, and their deep dive into jazz and free jazz. A significant part of the discussion is about their performance practices, which include invoking spiritual and ancestral presences through sound and ritual. Jordan explains how chaos and guerrilla tactics influence their work and their concept of 'chaos force'. The episode also delves into the interwoven themes of memory, trauma, and healing in Jordan’s practice, and their use of water as a symbolic and physical element in their art. They also elaborate on the impact of their projects like 'Momma I Rode the Beast' and 'Seas of Triple Consciousness'. They wrap up by discussing their recent work 'Go-Go Underworld' and the multidimensional aspects of their sound practice. 
(Note: We had some audio issues towards the end of this conversation. Please forgive the technical difficulties)

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages in an in-depth conversation with Leila Bencharnia about her artistic journey and deep connection to sound, rooted in her childhood experiences with her father, a prominent Gnawa musician. Leila explores how her early sound experiences were holistic and spiritually significant, contrasting with her later academic study of classical composition. She discusses how acousmatic music and sound system culture eventually guided her to merge traditional Gnawa music's spiritual and communal aspects with modern electronic and recording techniques. The conversation delves into her creative processes, emphasizing field recordings, non-linear time, and matrilineal influences that shape her unique sound installations. Leila addresses the political critiques embedded in her work, particularly concerning the Mediterranean migrant crisis and the deeply personal and communal impact of migration. Through a series of poignant reflections, she ultimately connects her practice to broader themes of human experience, spirituality, and resistance.

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages with musicians Chris Williams and Lester St. Louis in a deep conversation about their musical journeys and collaborative projects. Chris Williams, a trumpet player with a flair for electronic music, and Lester St. Louis, a cellist with a passion for expansive soundscapes, recount their formative experiences and the improvisational techniques that define their work. They highlight the significance of their live series 'East River Traverse' and the studio album 'Stark Phenomena,' exploring themes of memory, telepathy, and the limitless potential of acoustic and electronic music. The episode offers a rich exploration of their creative synergy and the emotional depth of their sound artistry.

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages with Kamari Carter—a producer, performer, sound designer, and installation artist—in a deep and insightful conversation. They discuss Kamari's early influences from cartoons, video games, and his music education which helped shape his understanding of sound as a medium of storytelling. The discussion then moves to Kamari's work using police dispatch audio in installations like Event Horizon, Patriot Act, and Codes, reflecting on power, governance, and the sonic landscape. Kamari also talks about pieces like 'A Ballad for Black Blood' and 'Landline Lifeline,' which address themes of Black death, memory, and the emotional charge carried by fragmented materials. Kamari’s series, including Vexilary and Room Tone, are explored in terms of their minimalistic but powerful symbolic content, including the American flag reconfigured with musical notations. The episode concludes with Kamari sharing his thoughts on sound memories and the emotional resonance of everyday sounds, alongside his approach to creating art that's both critical and reflective without being overly didactic.

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages in a profound conversation with multidisciplinary artist Elijah. They discuss Elijah's early sound memories, which are deeply tied to his father’s rhythmic drum playing in rural Kansas that connected him to his heritage. Elijah delves into the concept of softness in his art, relating it to prayer, longing, and desire. The conversation explores how Elijah integrates sound, film, poetry, and visual art to convey deep emotional states and how he uses syntax and titling to enhance multi-sensory experiences. The dialogue further extends to the themes of nature, environment, and their intrinsic connections to personal and spiritual identity. Elijah reflects on his recent return to the place of his birth, near the Wimah River, and how this connection informs his creative process. The episode concludes with Elijah discussing the spiritual technology of sound, memories, and longing, positioning them as tools for deep emotional and spiritual resonance.

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages in a deep conversation with acclaimed drummer Pheeroan akLaff. The discussion begins with Pheeroan's early musical influences growing up in Detroit, a city rich in black sonic imagination and cultural history. Pheeroan reminisces about his early experiences in rhythm, initially shaped by his parents' love for jazz and reinforced through his spiritual involvement in the AME Church. He reflects on foundational moments such as hearing Alice Coltrane perform live and being mentored by artists like Marcus Belgrave and Travis Biggs. The conversation also explores Pheeroan's time in New York's vibrant loft scene of the 1970s, where he collaborated with icons like Rashied Ali, Oliver Lake, and Wadada Leo Smith, developing a unique approach to rhythm and musical expression. Pheeroan further delves into his travels in Africa during the 1980s, meeting influential figures like Fela Kuti and how these experiences deepened his understanding of rhythm as a form of communal and spiritual practice. The episode concludes with Pheeroan discussing his current work, his work with PHP (Serpentine Story), and his continuous quest to blend spirituality with musical innovation.

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages in an in-depth conversation with renowned musician and ethno-musicologist Luis Perez Ixoneztli. They delve into Luis's early musical formations, his journey through various bands, and his self-taught instrumental skills. Luis recounts his profound personal and artistic exploration into pre-Columbian music and indigenous Mexican instruments, highlighting significant moments like his spiritual epiphany in Chiapas and his sacrificial life dedication to developing his unique musical language. The discussion moves to Luis's experiences using caves and natural environments for their acoustic properties, and his endeavor to record inside these resonant spaces. They also discuss his albums, including 'Ipan In Xiktli Metztli' and 'Santuario De Mariposas,' as well as his efforts to preserve and transmit his knowledge of indigenous instruments through manuals and workshops aimed at younger generations, emphasizing the cultural and spiritual essence imbued in these instruments. The episode closes with Luis reflecting on the importance of sound, environmental acoustics, and his lifelong commitment to musical and cultural heritage.

In this episode of Ear Expansion, LaMont Hamilton is in conversation with electronic musician and expansive composer Qasim Naqvi. Naqvi discusses his early musical influences, particularly his time as a drummer and his exposure to jazz and experimental music. He talks about his work with the acoustic trio Dawn of MIDI and his transition into creating solo sonic practice. The conversation delves into his creative processes and collaborations behind various albums, including 'Fjøløy,' 'Preamble,' 'Teenages,' 'Beta,' 'Two Centuries,' and his upcoming project 'Endling.' Naqvi also reflects on how historical and contemporary global events have influenced his current practice, making his creative work a means of processing and responding to these events. 

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton converses with Geng about his musical journey and influences. Geng PTP delves into his eclectic sonic formation, influenced by electronic music, hip hop, funk, and more from his childhood in New York City. They discuss the impacts of the city's sounds, the cultural significance of hip hop, and how pain and trauma can shape artistic expression. Geng PTP explains his approach to DJing, sampling, and the meditative dimension of looped beats in his work. They explore PTP (Purple Tape Pedigree), emphasizing its role as a collective for creative and political expression, rather than a traditional label. Geng shares insights into his sound collaging process, the importance of slowness in his work, and the deep care and reciprocity that underpin PTP. 

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages in a deep and introspective conversation with saxophonist Sam Newsome. The dialogue explores Sam's early musical formation, his experience playing post bop tenor saxophone with Terrence Blanchard, and his radical transition to solo performances on the soprano saxophone. Sam recounts his journey of finding his own voice, the challenges faced during his transitional period, and how the soprano saxophone allowed him new avenues of expression and individuality. They delve into the concept of 'instrumentational language,' the philosophical grounding behind Sam's work, and the innovative techniques he developed, including prepared saxophone methods using various materials. Furthermore, the discussion touches on the poetics of breath and the deep interdependence between Sam's breath and the soprano horn's voice, revealing an evolution from jazz orthodoxy to a sound-centered, improvisational language. The episode concludes with personal reflections on sound, resonances, and the profound lesson of staying in the moment during musical performance.