In September, I was fortunate to watch Elaine McMillion Sheldon’s film King Coal at the Wexner Center for the Arts, and then have a lovely conversation with her afterwards. Now, the Wexner Center has created a podcast of the event, and you can listen to our conversation on sound, culture in Appalachia, and what happens to Appalachia as coal mining recedes. I highly recommend watching the film, and then listening to Elaine’s thoughtful answers to my questions.
UCelli Premieres "Light and Line"
Last night, the cello quartet UCelli premiered ten new works by Ohio composers. I was happy to be one of them, and contributed a piece called “Light and Line.” Many thanks to UCelli, and the Johnstone Fund for New Music, which commissioned the pieces.
This Thursday: Solo Live Show at the Granville Center for the Arts
For folks in Ohio, I will be performing a solo set from Words and Silences this Thursday (September 28, 2023) at the Granville Center for the Arts. The concert is free, and you can learn more about it here. If you are new to this project, you can watch these videos I made last summer at Thomas Merton’s hermitage in Kentucky (of particular note is the storm that came in while I was playing on Merton’s front porch, in “Breath, Water, Silence”). If you are able, I hope to see you in Granville!
In Conversation With Elaine McMillion Sheldon
I had a great time this past Friday talking with Elaine McMillion Sheldon about her new film "King Coal" at the Wexner Center for the Arts. We talked about sound, extraction, and the tensions between myth and reality in Appalachia today. I loved watching this gorgeous film, and having the honor to be in conversation about it, too. If it shows up anywhere near you, you should go see it! (And yes, we are wearing nearly the same outfits.)
(Photo: Erik Pepple.)
In Conversation with "King Coal" Filmmaker Elaine McMillion Sheldon
I'm so looking forward to watching this film on Friday evening at the Wexner Center for the Arts. Afterwords, I'll be joining the filmmaker Elaine McMillion Sheldon on stage for an in-depth conversation.
https://wexarts.org/film-video/king-coal
Live performance: 8/2/2023 with Attorneys General
I’m really looking forward to performing for Matthew Byars' live project called Attorneys General (and Matt is also well known for the excellent Essential Tremors Music Podcast) Wednesday night (tomorrow, August 2 at 8PM), along with Christopher Appel.
As far as I can tell, Matt will be live processing whatever I am playing and making something new from it -- so I have no idea what will happen, and that sounds great to me! Attorneys General has been moving across the country, and in each city has been working with some real heavy-hitters in my book (David Grubbs, Alan Licht, Ryley Walker, etc.) so I am especially excited for a Columbus show with Matt. I hope to see you there!
More info/tickets here:
WOSU Feature Article and Interview
I had a great conversation with Nick Booker from WOSU (Nick was recently in my “How To Perform an Archive” class at Ohio State University, and was really nice to talk with). You can listen to this conversation, read Nick’s article, and hear excerpts from Words and Silences. It was so nice to be featured on this station, one I’ve listened to since I was a kid.
The Words and Silences band standing in front of Thomas Merton’s hermitage. From left to right: Phil Rodriguez, Jeremy Woodruff, Katie Porter, Brian Harnetty, William Lang.
Watch Now: Live From Thomas Merton's Hermitage
I’ve just published a live performance of the entire Words and Silences album, recorded at Thomas Merton’s Kentucky hermitage. The performance took place in November of 2022. The musicians are top-notch, and the setting is contemplative and beautiful.
Read more about the experience here.
Or, go directly to the video playlist here.
In the meantime, here is a nice photo with the band standing in front of the hermitage. (Photo by Kevin Davison.)
"Shawnee, Revisited" Video and Sound Installation at Errant Sound, Berlin
I am excited to have Shawnee, Revisited — a three channel video and sound installation — be a part of an exhibition at Errant Sound gallery in Berlin, Germany. Shawnee, Revisited (2018) is a 22 minute loop that shows the past and present of a small Appalachian mining town. Through contemporary footage (with Jonathan Johnson as videographer) and archival images, viewers get a sense of stillness and movement, and past and present. The audio features the voices of local residents, alongside sparse, long tones from a chamber ensemble. Part of an exhibition entitles “Sonic Borderlines,” there will also be a sound installation featured by Jeremy Woodruff. For more information and opening dates and times, click below:
This Saturday: Performing at the Seventh Stanine Festival in Washington, DC
I'll be performing a solo set this Saturday (6/10/2023) at 2:45pm at the Seventh Stanine Festival at Rhizome DC in Washington, DC. Really looking forward to it. You can read more through the link below. Many thanks to Essential Tremors for the invitation.
Forest Listening Rooms Soundwalks in West Virginia and at Ohio State
This past spring, I’ve had several opportunities to share Forest Listening Rooms with new communities at the Yew Mountain Center in West Virginia and on campus with students at Ohio State University. In both cases, I had extraordinary experiences, simply through paying attention and listening alongside such fascinating people. I’ve written about both experiences in my newsletter Sound Is Magic, and you can read about them both here:
Dusted Magazine Reviews "Words and Silences"
Many thanks to Dusted Magazine for an unexpected and amazing review of Words and Silences. Jason Bivins notes: “I found myself not just compelled but consoled by this music. Harnetty’s writing is pure, though never necessarily hymnal, and Merton’s generosity of spirit and his candor can be a balm.” You can read the entire review here.
Read My Latest Newsletter: "Words and Silences" on Phantom Power Podcast
I’ve produced a new podcast that explores my work with the Thomas Merton hermitage tapes. I made it in conjunction with Mack Hagood at Phantom Power, an excellent podcast about sound, listening, media, and sound studies. You can listen to it here:
Brian Harnetty on NPR's "Here and Now" (with Essential Tremors)
I was so excited to be on NPR today! I talked about an early influence on my music, Igor Stravinsky’s “Les Noces” on WBUR’s “Here and Now” along with Matthew Byers from the podcast Essential Tremors. What an honor! You can listen to it here.
Watch through April 13: In Conversation with Robin Wall Kimmerer
You can watch Robin Wall Kimmerer’s lecture at Otterbein University, followed by a conversation with Kimmerer, artist Cadine Navarro, and myself. (Our conversation starts around minute 58:00.) I hope you enjoy it — it was such a pleasure to talk with Kimmerer. She has so much to offer and teach!
In Conversation with Robin Wall Kimmerer and Cadine Navarro
Next Wednesday (March 29, 2023), Robin Wall Kimmerer will be giving a lecture at Otterbein University. After, artist Cadine Navarro and I will be joining her for an extended conversation on the “grammar of animacy,” our work, listening practices, and paying attention to the natural world around us. You can learn more below:
Introducing: Sound Is Magic Newsletter
I’ve started a new newsletter, called Sound Is Magic. In it, I explore sound, listening, music, and recordings. I’ll also share news and upcoming events. I hope you can join me!
New Phantom Power Podcast Episode on Thomas Merton Hermitage Tapes
I’m very proud of this one: I’ve made a new podcast for Phantom Power, a podcast on sound and sound studies. It’s an audio essay that explores my work with the Thomas Merton hermitage tapes. Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts.
Article for City Pulse Magazine: "Brian Harnetty Taps Into the Sounds of History and Nature"
I sat down with Melissa Starker from the Wexner Center for the Arts to talk about recent and upcoming projects, for City Pulse Magazine. Starting tomorrow and into April, I'll be working with high school students and taking them on sound walks around campus, as part of the Wexner Center's Department of Learning and Public Practice. It will be cold tomorrow, but I'm looking forward to it!
https://citypulsecolumbus.com/brian-harnetty-taps-into-the-sounds-of-history-and-nature/
Feature on Bandcamp Daily: "Brian Harnetty Make Present Music with Ghosts of the Past"
It is such an honor to have a feature article in Bandcamp Daily. A retrospective of past works, it begins with 2007’s American Winter and moves through to last year’s Words and Silences. I love Bandcamp, and I’m so happy that this article might help listeners connect the dots between albums, over the past 15+ years! You can read the full article here.