Caspar Sonnet

Artist Statement:

“Through recording and performing I allow improvised compositions to develop. These pieces are a collection of idiosyncratic structures that shift and change through time, guiding the listener throughout each section while using arcane materials, voice (seldom) and (or) sound magnification. Timbrial ambiguity (by use of various objects or gesticulation) and various source locations (by use of amplification, physical placement or otherwise) are also utilized within each performance and recording.”

Bio:

Caspar Sonnet (b.1976 Los Angeles, CA) has been composing and performing experimental/improvisational music since 1997. Sonnet’s multi-instrumentalist abilities and disciplines include: lap steel, percussion, cello, free reed aerophones, field recording and tape. His interests are in acoustic phenomena, amplification, just intonation, gestural playing, feedback, instrument augmentation, extended technique and use of hourglass as a way to influence improvisation. Sonnet also curates a performance series entitled “Discordance” featuring noise/improv artists both near/afar and is a member of the Extradition Ensemble. He has performed many compositions, most notably by; Matthias Kaul, Lauren Redhead, Jordan Dykstra, Toshi Ichiyanagi, Keith Rowe, Lo Wei and Philip Corner. He is currently residing in Portland, Oregon with his wife/artist Dehlia Ackley and two cats.

Collaborators:

Discography:

 

Passacaglia Radio / Andromache – April 2023

Shred Nugent  / Andromache – October 2022

HMMGED II / Andromache – October 2022

HMMGED / Andromache – May 2021

Amped/Unamped / Andromache – March 2021

Pomp / Andromache – February 2021

Grust II (with Eren Guney) / Andromache – January 2021

Overworked (with Patrick Gundran) / Andromache – October 2020

Grust (with Eren Guney) / Andromache – July 2020

Sonnet/Matsumoto (Live at Disjecta) / self – January 2019

Gun/Gundran/Sonnet (Live at Chapel Performance Space) / self – August 2018

Sonnet/Matsumoto “Versus” /Sounds et al – August 2018

Live at Gallery 1412 (with Patrick Gundran aka Uneasy Chairs) / self – June 2018

Ronin Blues / Marriage – February, 2018

Perfect (Turnbull Green) / Take a Record – January 2018

Libro De Los Demonios / self – 2017

College Hotel (Beau Breather) / Editions Verde – August 2016

Signals (with Jean-Paul Jenkins) / self – May 2016

Cymbal Speak (Beau Breather) / self – January 2016

Kahlotus / self – November 2015

LA Rag EP / self – May 2015

Identify / Marriage – April 2013

Songs on Conceptual Art (compilation) No.7 / Marriage – June 2012. 

Video Performances:

Coming Soon

Residencies:

High Desert Soundings (with Gabie Strong & Pauline Lay) – 2021

Creative Music Guild – Improvisation Summit – 2019 (with Kozue Matsumoto)

The Society for the Activation of Social Space through Art and Sound (SASSAS)/ Lap-steel dobro & lecture – 2016

The Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT) / Voice, prepared acoustic lap-steel & antique cymbal – 2014

The Electric Lodge / Voice, Acoustic lap-steel, 3 cymbals, swedish cowbell & 16” floor tom – 2014

The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA ) / Sol Le Witt’s Songs On Conceptual Art, No.7 / Baritone ukulele & voice – 2012

Performances:

2021
12/15 – Discordance / St. Philip Neri / Leila Bordreuil, Rose Moore, Sam Klickner, Energy Gradient, Soft Fantasy
11/3 – Discordance / St. Philip Neri / Tatsuya Nakatani, Cost, Elastic Energy Ensemble
10/16- CMG Improv Summit / Leaven Community / Junianna Lanning, Catherine Lee, Fransisco Botcello, Kale Nixon, TJ Thompson, Loren Chasse
9/14 – No Fun / Shahzod Ismaily, Mike Gamble, Matt Mayhill, Ixnay
9/5 – Discordance / St. Philip Neri / Drew Weasley, Kevin Murray, Sam Klickner, Andrew Jones

 

2020

The Ivon House

1/15 – Extradition / Leaven Community / Keith Rowe Pollock #82 (with Junianna Lanning, Reed Wallsmith, Matt Hannafin, Alissa DeRubeis, Marcus Fischer, Matt Carlson, Jonathan Sielaff)

 

2019
7/27 – Extradition / Leaven Community / Lo Wei “Score for 3 performers” (with Junianna Lanning & Alissa Derubeis)
10/19 – Extradition / Leaven Community / (fall concert) / 1. Toshi Ichiyanagi “Music For Electric Metronome” (with Max Katz, Brandon Conway, Matt Carlson, Loren Chasse and Matt Hanafin) 2. Matthias Kaul “After the Rain” (with Max Katz, Branic Howard, Brandon Conway and Matt Hanifin)