Stephen Vitiello, Eighth Blackbird

"This project started with a commission from [performance group] eighth blackbird and Ben Broening to create a multi-channel composition for the University of Richmond's Third Practice Electroacoustic Music Festival. I wrote out a set of instructions for each musician and recorded them separately from the rest of the group. The first sessions were with Molly Michael, Nick and Lisa. I started to work with their sounds, layering processing, adding and eliminating elements until I found something that felt musical and spatial. The result was a 10-channel mix of "Rush and Lullaby". The instructions were simple: Play a pattern of 3 notes, play the sound of an animal, etc. Interpretation was wide open. Molly played the sound of a charging baby boar on her flute. Lisa played a short patter on the piano that I used over and over again. Following the premiere of Rush. I did another session with Matthew and Matt. This resulted in "One Violin". From there I just kept on going with the sound I had recorded to produce the rest of the record." - Steven Vitiello