Vonn New
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As a composer and performer, I use flutes, percussion, found sounds, and field recordings with Audiomulch and live loops to create sonic playgrounds over which I improvise. I'm a practioner of Deep Listening, a form of meditation based on an expanded awareness of sound. Living in Kingston, NY, I work with Pauline Oliveros, Ione and a community of artists creating new work at the Deep Listening Institute.
My intention as an artist is to promote peace-building and non-violence by modeling the power of listening, and the expression of defiant joy. I have been known to play just for fun, however. Some of my music is tonally simplistic and rhythmically complex because I'm a nerd who enjoys playing with prime numbers.
For the past 5 years, I have been the 'zoo keeper' - that is the founder and music director - of the experimental, improvisational music and tribal bellydance troupe, Loud Zoo. In 2003, I composed and produced a bellydance ballet, "Dreaming in the Proximity of Mars" which was also 2 different sound installations. In addition, I play in Aberrent Forms, an
electro-acoustic drone trio with Rick Olsen and Jim Stewart. My compositions have been programmed in the Southeast Composers Forum and
the Salvadore Dali museum. I have self-published 4 CD's, including my 2005 album, "Experiments in Truth".
I'm the lesbian parent of 2 grown sons. I'm a member of the Religious Society of Friends and my partner is a Unitarian Universalist minister.
Do you play live?
Yes. Almost all of the music on this site was recorded live. I very much enjoy playing with improvisors (musicians, dancers and other artists) who LISTEN. I enjoy playing in duos and trios best, in addition to my solo playing.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
It enables obscure artists to distribute their work without having to go through the intermediary of a recording company. Since there is no gatekeeper, it's up to the listeners to discern what is good.
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
My music is too weird for the mainstream. I am an artist who makes music and not a music industry aspirant. I shudder at the term "music industry". If someone wanted to support my art with no strings attached, I would gladly accept funding. I need a Chapman Stick and a MOTU Traveller.
Band History:
www.vonnnew.com
Your influences?
Laurie Anderson
Miles Davis
Robert Fripp
King Crimson
Talking Heads
Brian Eno
Pauline Oliveros
Kate Bush
Layne Redmond
Leonard Cohen
Hafiz (the Sufi poet)
Bellydance music
textural drones
polyrhythms in odd time cycles
processed acoustics
found sounds
the sonic landscape that surrounds me
Miles Davis
Robert Fripp
King Crimson
Talking Heads
Brian Eno
Pauline Oliveros
Kate Bush
Layne Redmond
Leonard Cohen
Hafiz (the Sufi poet)
Bellydance music
textural drones
polyrhythms in odd time cycles
processed acoustics
found sounds
the sonic landscape that surrounds me
Equipment used:
Audiomulch, field recordings, bamboo and wooden flutes (quenas, recorders, et al), small percussion objects, PVC pipe, found objects, frame drums, doumbek, djembe, and on and on.
Anything else...?
"Raising Consciousness, One Eyebrow at a Time!!!" Vonn New