Karen Ng

In 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. 

In 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.

Season 3 Episode 3: Karen Ng

Greg Kelley

In 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.

In 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.

Season 3 Episode 1: Greg Kelley

In this October 2018 conversation with Tim Daisy, Gerry Hemingway discusses the under documented New Haven sound scene, the active differences between listening and hearing, and touches on his background as a videographer. 

In this October 2018 conversation with Tim Daisy, Gerry Hemingway discusses the under documented New Haven sound scene, the active differences between listening and hearing, and touches on his background as a videographer.

Season 2 Episode 19: Gerry Hemingway

In this 2016 duo performance and conversation with Ken Vandermark, Christof Kurzmann discusses making music about the second Iraq war, using the laptop in improvised music, and working as a concert organizer.

In this 2016 duo performance and conversation with Ken Vandermark, Christof Kurzmann discusses making music about the second Iraq war, using the laptop in improvised music, and working as a concert organizer.

Season 2 Episode 17: Christof Kurzmann

Ingebrigt Håker Flaten

In this April 2017 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Ingebrigt Håker Flaten talks about his upbringing and schooling before becoming a musician, discusses the techniques and practices that inspire him, and his personal relationships with different cultures between Norway, Chicago and Austin.

In this April 2017 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Ingebrigt Håker Flaten talks about his upbringing and schooling before becoming a musician, discusses the techniques and practices that inspire him, and his personal relationships with different cultures between Norway, Chicago and Austin.

Season 2 Episode 15: Ingebrigt Håker Flaten

In this March 2018 conversation with Andrew Clinkman, Ingrid Laubrock discusses the role of the room in solo playing, working on an orchestral scale, and moving to New York from London.

In this March 2018 conversation with Andrew Clinkman, Ingrid Laubrock discusses the role of the room in solo playing, working on an orchestral scale, and moving to New York from London.

Season 2 Episode 13: Ingrid Laubrock

In this March 2016 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Fred Lonberg-Holm looks back to his origins of how he came to build his signature cello sound, being called the “anti-cellist”, and discusses his thoughts between art as a job and art as a hobby.

In this March 2016 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Fred Lonberg-Holm looks back to his origins of how he came to build his signature cello sound, being called the “anti-cellist”, and discusses his thoughts between art as a job and art as a hobby.

Season 2 Episode 11: Fred Lonberg-Holm

In this October 2017 conversation with Tim Daisy, Michael Vatcher reflects on the narrative elements of solo performance, moving to Amsterdam in the 1980s, and playing chess with Anthony Braxton and Misha Mengelberg. Note: this episode includes a discussion of suicide.

In this October 2017 conversation with Tim Daisy, Michael Vatcher reflects on the narrative elements of solo performance, moving to Amsterdam in the 1980s, and playing chess with Anthony Braxton and Misha Mengelberg. Note: this episode includes a discussion of suicide.

Season 2 Episode 9: Michael Vatcher

William Parker

In this September 2016 conversation with Ken Vandermark, William Parker looks back at the beginning and formation of The New York Loft Scene, his musical journey from the 70s, 80s, 90s into the new millenium, and gives advice on proper technique vs. individuality.

In this September 2016 conversation with Ken Vandermark, William Parker looks back at the beginning and formation of The New York Loft Scene, his musical journey from the 70s, 80s, 90s into the new millenium, and gives advice on proper technique vs. individuality.

Season 2 Episode 7: William Parker

LaDonna Smith

In this October 2018 conversation with Andrew Clinkman, LaDonna Smith talks about experimentation as a way of carrying childhood forward, fostering a creative music community in Birmingham, Alabama, and sustaining the Trans Museq Records from 1976 to the present.

In this October 2018 conversation with Andrew Clinkman, LaDonna Smith talks about experimentation as a way of carrying childhood forward, fostering a creative music community in Birmingham, Alabama, and sustaining the Trans Museq Records from 1976 to the present.

Season 2 Episode 5: LaDonna Smith

OPTION Talks showcases conversations and recordings from Experimental Sound Studio's OPTION concert series. Episodes are released every two weeks. Hear every episode via the weekly OPTION Talks Member Edition, available to Catalytic Sound and Experimental Sound Studio members.OPTION Talks is a co-production of Catalytic Sound and Experimental Sound Studio, and is produced by Sam Clapp and Haruhi Kobayashi. The OPTION concert series is curated by Andrew Clinkman, Tim Daisy, and Ken Vandermark.

Luke Stewart

In this August 2018 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Luke Stewart talks about his bass and amplifier exploration, becoming a key musical organizer in D.C and his views on social justice and artistic sustainability within our collective arts communities.

In this August 2018 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Luke Stewart talks about his bass and amplifier exploration, becoming a key musical organizer in D.C and his views on social justice and artistic sustainability within our collective arts communities.

Season 2 Episode 3: Luke Stewart

In this July 2017 conversation with Tim Daisy, Helen Gillet talks about taking inspiration from languages, bridging classical, Indian, and jazz cello technique, and living in the New Orleans Musicians' Village.

In this July 2017 conversation with Tim Daisy, Helen Gillet talks about taking inspiration from languages, bridging classical, Indian, and jazz cello technique, and living in the New Orleans Musicians' Village.

Season 2 Episode 1: Helen Gillet

William Winant

In this August 2019 conversation with Tim Daisy, William Winant talks about the similarities between improvised and composed music, crossing musical genres, and interpreting pieces by James Tenney and Roscoe Mitchell.

In this August 2019 conversation with Tim Daisy, William Winant talks about the similarities between improvised and composed music, crossing musical genres, and interpreting pieces by James Tenney and Roscoe Mitchell.

Episode 23: William Winant

Wendy Eisenberg

In this June 2019 conversation with Tim Daisy, Wendy Eisenberg talks about living and working in Western Massachusetts, reconciling playing and singing, and the negative aspects of striving for virtuosity.

In this June 2019 conversation with Tim Daisy, Wendy Eisenberg talks about living and working in Western Massachusetts, reconciling playing and singing, and the negative aspects of striving for virtuosity.

Episode 21: Wendy Eisenberg

Myra Melford

In this September 2019 conversation with Tim Daisy, Myra Melford talks about taking inspiration from visual art, studying with legendary Chicago pianist Erwin Helfer, and working with improvisation conductor Butch Morris. 

In this September 2019 conversation with Tim Daisy, Myra Melford talks about taking inspiration from visual art, studying with legendary Chicago pianist Erwin Helfer, and working with improvisation conductor Butch Morris.

Episode 19: Myra Melford

Chad Taylor

In this March 2017 interview with Tim Daisy, Chad Taylor talks about practice and performance, transitioning from classical guitar to drums, and his one lesson with mbira master Garikayi Tirikoti.

In this March 2017 interview with Tim Daisy, Chad Taylor talks about practice and performance, transitioning from classical guitar to drums, and his one lesson with mbira master Garikayi Tirikoti.

Episode 17: Chad Taylor

Tashi Dorji

In this July 2020 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Tashi Dorji talks about moving from Bhutan to the United States, the similarities between punk rock and free improvisation, and his love for Bollywood and traditional monastic music.This interview was originally broadcast on Experimental Sound Studio's The Quarantine Concerts.

In this July 2020 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Tashi Dorji talks about moving from Bhutan to the United States, the similarities between punk rock and free improvisation, and his love for Bollywood and traditional monastic music.This interview was originally broadcast on Experimental Sound Studio's The Quarantine Concerts.

Episode 15: Tashi Dorji

In this November 2015 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Sylvie Courvoisier discusses moving to New York from Switzerland in the late 1990s, the tradeoffs involved in working as a touring musician, and the challenge of finding decent pianos on tour.

In this November 2015 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Sylvie Courvoisier discusses moving to New York from Switzerland in the late 1990s, the tradeoffs involved in working as a touring musician, and the challenge of finding decent pianos on tour.

Episode 13: Sylvie Courvoisier

Kris Davis

In this March 2018 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Kris Davis talks about finding resources for improvisation in the classical tradition, learning by doing "$50 jazz gigs" in New York, and leaving space for other musicians.This episode is sponsored by Astral Spirits Records (astralspirits.bandcamp.com): “The New Wave of Heavy Free Jazz since September 2014.”

In this March 2018 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Kris Davis talks about finding resources for improvisation in the classical tradition, learning by doing "$50 jazz gigs" in New York, and leaving space for other musicians.This episode is sponsored by Astral Spirits Records (<a href="http://astralspirits.bandcamp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">astralspirits.bandcamp.com</a>): “The New Wave of Heavy Free Jazz since September 2014.”

Episode 11: Kris Davis

Nate Wooley

In this August 2015 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Nate Wooley discusses growing up playing in a big band on the Oregon coast, developing a musical language within technical limitations, aesthetic differences between Chicago and New York music communities, and the challenges of interpreting music by Wynton Marsalis, Anthony Braxton, and Éliane Radigue.This episode is sponsored by Astral Spirits Records (astralspirits.bandcamp.com): “The New Wave of Heavy Free Jazz since September 2014.”

In this August 2015 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Nate Wooley discusses growing up playing in a big band on the Oregon coast, developing a musical language within technical limitations, aesthetic differences between Chicago and New York music communities, and the challenges of interpreting music by Wynton Marsalis, Anthony Braxton, and Éliane Radigue.This episode is sponsored by Astral Spirits Records (<a href="http://astralspirits.bandcamp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">astralspirits.bandcamp.com</a>): “The New Wave of Heavy Free Jazz since September 2014.”

Episode 9: Nate Wooley

OPTION Talks showcases conversations and recordings from Experimental Sound Studio's OPTION concert series. Episodes are released every two weeks. Hear every episode via the weekly OPTION Talks Member Edition, available to Catalytic Sound and Experimental Sound Studio members. OPTION Talks is a co-production of Catalytic Sound and Experimental Sound Studio, and is produced by Sam Clapp and Haruhi Kobayashi. The OPTION concert series is curated by Andrew Clinkman, Tim Daisy, and Ken Vandermark.

OPTION Talks

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