Drummer Ches Smith and vocalist Shara Lunon join the podcast to discuss improvisation vs. jamming, punk's connection to jazz, and the process behind the extraordinary album Laugh Ash.
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The Spotlight was meant to shine On drummer, percussionist, and composer Ches Smith, whose album Laugh Ash was released earlier this year on Pyroclastic Records. As we arranged to get together, Ches suggested we include Shara Lunon, the transdisciplinary poet, vocalist, composer, and improviser featured on the album.
Laugh Ash is one of the most intriguing records I have encountered in quite some time, with its mix of form and improvisation, acoustic and synthetic, quiet and explosiveness.
In addition to Ches and Shara, the album includes an all-star cast from today’s creative music scene: flutist Anna Webber, clarinetist Oscar Noriega, tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis, trumpeter Nate Wooley, violinist Jennifer Choi, violist Kyle Armbrust, cellist Michael Nicolas, and bassist/keyboardist Shahzad Ismaily.
It is an exciting work and we had a great conversation. Enjoy.
(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Ches Smith’s album Laugh Ash)
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00:00:00 - Introduction and album overview
00:02:42 - Discussion on vocal work in experimental music
00:06:51 - Shara's perspective on being a vocalist in the industry
00:09:04 - Ches's approach to composition and collaboration
00:13:33 - The recording process and live performance
00:16:28 - Shara's journey from opera to experimental music
00:21:41 - Ches's background in drums and percussion
00:24:13 - The difference between improvising and jamming
00:30:16 - Shara's musical influences and education
00:35:42 - The role of humor in their music
00:41:55 - Ches's experience working with Terry Riley
00:43:50 - Closing thoughts and upcoming shows
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Purchase Ches Smith's Laugh Ash on Qobuz → https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/laugh-ash-ches-smith/bnr0yp1et0l1a
or Bandcamp → https://chessmithpyroclastic.bandcamp.com/album/laugh-ash
and listen on your streaming platform of choice → https://lynkify.in/album/laugh-ash/EA52Ou4W
Visit Ches Smith at https://www.chessmith.com
and follow him on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/smithches
and Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067640719122
Visit Shara Lunon at https://www.sharalunon.com
and follow her on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/sharalunon
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