Energy moving back and forth creating larger stories, strange intermixtures, and unique dialogical spaces where musical expression branches into sociocultural territories. That is where the most exciting and relevant musical experiences live. In this context composition is not so much a strategy for controlling the musical output, but more a catalyst for a musical event. A vision for the music is conceptualized, a musical space is created, players are given some guidance and direction, relationships are formed, and at the right moment you let go and the music takes on a life of its own. That is when it can surprise you, when it gets good.
Music is more interesting when there is dialogue and when there is risk.
Slow Motion Perp Walk is the assemblage and manipulation of sounds that include improvised piano, recordings from the San Ysidro border and downtown San Diego, old rehearsal tapes from the early 1980's and ambience from New Year's Eve 1999. Free Throw Prophet is the sacred and the profane interacting within a sacred space. The piece was recorded live to multitrack at the Zion Building, a Mormon church with a full-size indoor basketball court situated next to the chapel. This juxtaposition is intriguing to say the least. Basketball has found a peculiar place within American Mormon culture, in some cases even piggy-backing the doctrine as it is exported to other parts of the world.