“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.”
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.
Chris Cogburn, Zach Rowden, Henry Birdsey, Gabie Strong, Greg Kelley, Matt Hanifin, Loren Chasse, Matt Carlson, Tatsuya Nakatani, Drew Wesley, Eren Guney, Patrick Gundran (Uneasy Chairs), Kozue Matsumoto, Juniana Lanning, Pauline Lay, Tom Weeks, Kevin Murray, Allie Hankins, Linda Austin, Jordan Dykstra, Jonathan Sielaff, Mike Gamble, Andrew Jones, Jean-Paul Jenkins, etc.
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.
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
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)