Artist Spotlight
Chromic Duo and NY Philharmonic’s Team Up For Augmented Reality Concert Experience in NYC
Chromic Duo – Lucy Yao and Dorothy Chan – are teaming up with the New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers Program for a project entitled “Emerald Futures” where they will combine the performance of the original compositions from the young composers (ages 12-16) with an augmented reality sound walk through New York City. The augmented reality experience will be available to anyone who would like to participate via the app Gesso (available on iOS and Android) starting on July 2nd.
An innovative way to experience music and storytelling, the walk will give listeners a multi-sensory experience as they experience the freedom of exploring the city while immersed in the sounds of original compositions. The scripted audio sound walk will lead listeners on a path through the city from New York’s Central Park to the Lincoln Center using a GPS trigger to create site-specific concert experiences, accessible to the participant at any time.
The experience culminates with Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya’s “We Belong Here” mural as a moment of reflection and response to ending AAPI hate. Phingbodhipakkiya created the “We Belong Here” campaign to confront the surge in bias and xenophobia against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders – a cause that Yao and Chan are also supporting in their forthcoming work with Mott Street Girls to support local Chinatown businesses that have been impacted by the rise of AAPI crime. “In the wake of exclusion, noticing how much oppression there is in our world right now, we want to create a hybrid experience to experience concerts in public spaces that is the epitome of accessibility and inclusion,” says the duo. “We are motivated to create spaces where stories can be told to foster a deeper understanding of humanizing perspectives.” Through their own self-discovery as first and second-generation Asian Americans, Chromic Duo understands how expansive the diaspora is and how it fails to describe who they truly are. “By having so much that is undefined, part of the beauty behind this project is to create moments where there is a grey area- where sound is met with a strike of lightning in color, where the history of NYC is reflected on through a contemporary narrative of music by the next generation of young composers and thinkers,” says Yao.
Overall, Chromic Duo hopes that this reflective music and narration will allow participants to immerse themselves in an experience that brings to light the stories and perspectives of people and communities around them so that they can be inspired to respond based on empathy instead of biased judgment. “We also hope to inspire the young composers of this program to lean into their curiosities, and always be questioning and challenging the norms of how things came to be,” says Lucy Yao. “We often ask ourselves, ‘how can we use music as a positive force and tool to bring people together?’ Music has the power to take your perceived biases and understanding of the world and challenge them.” By bringing a new perspective on how participants perceive their environment and connect themselves within their communities, they are excited to see how it can interact with music to create innovative ways of “going through the motions” in an amplified manner that allows for new connections to happen.
About New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers Program:
An afterschool program through the School Partnership Program for grades 7-10, the Very Young Composer’s Program exposes students to the instruments of the orchestra, nurtures their inherent creativity, and culminates with original works performed by members of the Philharmonic. Students with or without musical backgrounds create, notate, and hear their very own music performed by Philharmonic musicians — often the full Orchestra — with the help of Philharmonic Teaching Artists serving as mentors. The VYC idea is rapidly catching on as it has reached children on four continents in countries including Korea, China, Japan, Venezuela, Spain, and Finland. VYC students in various American cities are exchanging “musical postcards” with these children around the world.
About Chromic Duo: Chromic Duo is an award-winning electronic toy piano duo that brings new audiences together by creating new connections between classical music, electronics, and multimedia. “Tackling large issues with toy pianos” – Chromic pushes the possibilities of genres and performance by recontextualizing classical music in multimedia work inspired by the multitudes as third-culture-kids discovering their voice within the vast Asian American diaspora. The duo composes and reorchestrates indie, classical, ambient, and electronica into arrangements that use any combination of keyboard instruments – ranging from the toy piano to melodica, toy horn, audio-reactive installations, and instruments that link sound to color and movement. Widely known as creatives in other aspects as well, Chromic Duo has projects ranging from collaborations with the New York Philharmonic Young Composers Program, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Educational Initiative, working in collaboration with the Design Museum of Chicago for two world premiere pieces during the pandemic, and other virtual experience collaborations that bring light to Asian-American identities and racial power structures. They were recently announced as the winners of Concert Artist Guild and Young Concert Artists Trust – opening doors for prestigious debuts at famous international venues like Carnegie and Wigmore.
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Ooberfuse delivers echoes of grief in the single “Dying Son”
Hal St John and Cherrie Anderson, a duo based in London and known as Ooberfuse, collaborated with Palestinian multi-instrumentalist Charlie Rishmawi and producer Miguel Khair to create their latest single, “Dying Son.” The song represents an emotional tribute to a mother’s devastating loss amid conflict. Its inherent connection to Easter and Mother’s Day adds a poignant layer, reflecting the timeless struggles of humanity against the backdrop of contemporary events.
This song is a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of a mother’s heartbreak. The artist’s soulful vocals and emotive instrumentation add to the power of the lyrics, which capture the pain and suffering of a mother who is forced to confront the imminent death of her child amid war. The lyrics express the mother’s struggle to come to terms with her child’s death, and the whispered reproach highlights the brutality of war.
Miguel Khair’s production sensitively captures the raw authenticity of the emotions, deftly portraying the interplay of anguish and hope that arises in the aftermath of such tragedies. The mixing and mastering are top-notch, resulting in a polished musical delivery that poignantly reminds us of the human cost of war and offers a glimpse of the resilience and determination that can emerge in the quest for peace.
Beyond its musical offering, “Dying Son” calls for breaking the cycle of violence and retribution, resonating with the collective yearning for reconciliation in the Holy Land. With its emotional depth and timely message, this single is a valuable addition to playlists. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing conflicts and their impact on people’s lives.
For more information about Ooberfuse, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Ooberfuse’s “Dying Son“ on Spotify.
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Artist Spotlight
Nix Dadry unleashes the vulnerable soul of love with “Kiss The Dirt”
Nix Dadry, a solo rock artist, has recently released a new single, “Kiss The Dirt.” This soul-stirring ballad explores the fundamental essence of human connection and creates an emotional journey that resonates with universal themes of love and devotion. The song features John Joe Gaskin’s rhythmic drumbeats and Cici Powell’s soulful bass and vocals. Combining these elements results in a captivating auditory experience showcasing Dadry’s artistic prowess.
The song unfolds like a delicate tapestry, blending Americana, blues, and folk elements adorned with epic grandeur of piano and soaring guitar string arrangements. Dadry’s emotive vocals seamlessly intertwine, invoking a deep sense of emotion and sincerity. They guide listeners through the tumultuous terrain of love despite hardships.
Produced by Mercury Prize nominee Ed Harcourt at Wolf Cabin Studios, “Kiss The Dirt” radiates vulnerability that exudes a timeless quality reminiscent of classic rock ballads while maintaining a contemporary edge. Each note is carefully crafted, and Dadry’s lyrics and instrumentation are intimate and heartfelt, infused with profound meaning, creating a hauntingly beautiful sonic landscape that resonates deeply with the listener’s soul.
Thematically, “Kiss The Dirt” delves into the depths of romantic relationships, portraying the resilience and strength of the unbreakable bond between two individuals who have nothing but each other. It’s a universal tale of love’s triumph over adversity, told with an authenticity that pierces the heart, transcending musical boundaries.
With its evocative melody and heartfelt lyrics, “Kiss The Dirt” is a visceral experience that provides a glimpse into the tender intricacies of the human heart, leaving an indelible mark on the listener’s soul. If you appreciate soul-stirring music, “Kiss The Dirt” is a must-listen. It’s an undeniable emotional adventure through the highs and lows of love, making it a valuable addition to any playlist.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Nix Dadry’s “Kiss The Dirt“ on Spotify.
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