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Augmented Improvisations: The Cello of Solar Hex

Solar Hex, the project of Virginia-based cellist Kaily Moon Schenker, released their new record, Tired Eyes, on ARKEEN this past Friday. Tired Eyes is a stunning album that foregrounds the […]

March 6, 2022

How the Theremin “Cast a Spell” on Popular Culture

“When you play the theremin, it looks kind of magical. Maybe even as if you could cast spells.” Contemporary thereminist Carolina Eyck spoke of the instrument fondly to Smithsonian Magazine […]

February 27, 2022

Sounds from a “Claustrophobic Foreman’s Office”: Get Ready for ‘Last Chance at the Pharmacy’

It all started with a dream… Actually, a nightmare to be specific. Jackie Switzer, vocalist for Cincinnati-based art punks Fruit LoOops, says the band “formed when I had a nightmare […]

February 20, 2022

“Married to the Guitar”: A Look Into the Music of Solo Acoustic Guitar

In a recent interview, guitarist Yasmin Williams said while discussing how she got into fingerstyle guitar, “I think the first song I learned was ‘Blackbird,’ by the Beatles. That pushed […]

February 13, 2022

Japanese City Pop – A Genre of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Type “city pop” into the YouTube search bar, and you easily find mix after mix right at your fingertips, one for every mood and vibe – “mellow days,” “cherish your […]

February 6, 2022

“Quite Slow, Quite Suspended”: The Alive, Electronic Sounds of Éliane Radigue

“Everything can become music. It depends on the way we listen to it, and what we do with it also.” Inspired by the musique concrète innovations of Pierre Schaeffer and […]

January 30, 2022

“The Universe Is In My Voice”: June Tyson, the Afrofuturist Voice of the Sun Ra Arkestra

Those familiar with Sun Ra and His Arkestra may know the voice and image of June Tyson: vocalist, dancer, choreographer, and costume designer for the Arkestra. Despite her significant presence […]

January 23, 2022

The Enigmatic Jandek

For over forty years, Jandek has mystified audiences with his enigmatic identity and distance from the public eye. The project of Houston-based record label Corwood Industries, very little is known […]

January 17, 2022

Torn Light Archives 4: Reggae & Dub in the UK Press

For our fourth Torn Light Archives post, we continue our dive into the 70s and 80s British press with clippings about reggae and dub throughout publications such as NME, Sounds, […]

January 9, 2022