OPTION Talks
OPTION Talks
Experimental Sound Studio & Catalytic Sound
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.
Season 3 Episode 17: Ballake Sissoko & Nicole Mitchell
In this September 2017 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Ballake Sissoko & Nicole Mitchell discuss early experiences with music, improvising across musical traditions, and working in different languages. Note that Ballake Sissoko works with a French translator throughout the conversation.
Oct 6, 2022
28 min
Season 3 Episode 15: Lou Mallozzi
In this June 2017 conversation with Seth Kim-Cohen, Lou Mallozzi improvises his way through an intertwined performance and interview. “The improvisation was not only the music or sonic performance, but also the improvisation of the discussion with Seth, the improvisation of getting questions from the audience, and the possible failures or unintentional occurrences of the cell phone, the outdoors, etc. Added to this is the fact that the progression of these elements and their ways of interrupting each other were also improvised. In other words, it was an improvisation of the whole situation and not only an improvised music concert framed with the place, social situation and a series. In fact, it wasn't a concert, or if it was, the concert was couched within the overall event.” - Lou Mallozzi on his 2017 solo Option Concert.
Sep 22, 2022
38 min
Season 3 Episode 13: Jessica Ackerley
In this September 2021 conversation with Andrew Clinkman, Jessica Ackerley talks about playing clean electric guitar, the role of enjoyment in playing music, and collaborating with Shane Parish in Hawai'i.
Sep 1, 2022
34 min
Season 3 Episode 11: Magda Mayas
In this August 2020 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Magda Mayas talks about her early musical influences from her family and seeing Cecil Taylor, shares her experience being a student of Misha Mengelberg, and discusses her techniques working with a prepared piano.
Aug 18, 2022
37 min
Season 3 Episode 9: Mabel Kwan
In this May 2019 conversation with Tim Daisy, Mabel Kwan talks about her early musical life, playing with Ensemble Dal Niente, and the thin line between interpretation and creation.
Aug 4, 2022
21 min
Season 3 Episode 7: Terrie Ex & Andy Moor
In this October 2015 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Terrie Ex and Andy Moor discuss the several social, political and creative scenes in Amsterdam that shaped them, the longevity of The EX, and shines light on the bureaucracy of international artists to be in the United States to share their music. 
Jul 21, 2022
48 min
Season 3 Episode 5: Jim O’Rourke
In this March 2021 conversation with Ken Vandermark, Jim O'Rourke talks about 1980s and '90s Chicago music, the impact of studying on creativity, and his move to Japan. This episode features a playlist assembled by Jim.
Jul 7, 2022
1 hr 18 min
Season 3 Episode 3: 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.
Jun 23, 2022
41 min
Season 3 Episode 1: 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.
Jun 9, 2022
31 min
Season 2 Episode 19: Gerry Hemingway
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.
Mar 17, 2022
43 min
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