Ear Expansion Podcast

In this expansive dialogue from Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages with BSA Gold, delving into her musical journey, starting from her early experiences with the flute to her evolving as a musician and producer, eventually fully embracing her unique sonic identity. 

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In this episode of Ear Expansion, a conversation unfolds between LaMont Hamilton and Roman Norfleet, centering around Norfleet's journey and insights as a deeply spiritual and musically innovative individual. Norfleet shares his journey with sound, diving into his deep connection with various communities, painting a vivid picture of a vibrant, continuation of Black Art traditions. 

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In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton is joined by LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs. This detailed and insightful conversation focused on her unique background in sound, particularly as a poet/vocalist/sonic experimentist, and her explorative journey with effects, synthesizers, and poetry in her performances.

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In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages in a deep and revealing conversation with artist Joel St. Julien. Against the backdrop of a sunny day in San Francisco, Joel shares the profound influence of his Haitian heritage, early experiences with sound, and his journey through music and sound art.

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In this episode Ear Expansion our guest Zachary James Watkins is in conversation with host LaMont Hamilton. This conversation explores Watkins' profound journey in the realm of sound and music, touching upon his early influences, his unique compositional techniques, and the philosophical underpinnings of his work.

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In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages in a profound conversation with Sham-e Ali Nayeem, delving into the intersections of sound, poetry, and personal history. Through a reflective dialogue, Sham-e Ali shares her journey from poetry, to integrating sound into her artistic expression. 

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In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages in a detailed and expansive conversation with composer Anthony R. Green. Green shares insights into his diverse sonic upbringing, diverse musical influences ranging from gospel and R&B to classical music, and his evolution into a composer and performance artist.

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In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton is in conversation with multi-hyphen artist Sholeh Asgary. In this expansive and engaging conversation, Asgary delves into her artistic transition from visual mediums to sound, exploring the profound influence of her cultural background, personal experiences, and philosophical musings on her work.

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In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton is in conversation with Nelson Bandela. This dialogue traverses the multifaceted landscape of Bandela's creative journey and philosophies. From discussing Bandela's formative years influenced by a rich artistic family background in Dallas, Texas, where his parents and siblings were and currently are immersed in artistic endeavors, to exploring Bandela's multifarious creative outputs that span music, filmmaking, and beyond, the dialogue delves deep.. 

This conversation between LaMont Hamilton and Maria Luiza de Barros on Ear Expansion delves deep into the intersections of sound, space, and Black diasporic practices in Maria’s work. Maria,

 sharing her journey from Brazil and her engagements with various sonic and spatial practices, emphasizes the significance of sound in understanding and interacting with urban environments and architecture from a perspective deeply rooted in Afro-diasporic traditions. 

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In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages in a profound conversation with artist Zekarias Thompson, exploring Thompson's multifaceted relationship with sound, spanning his communal practice in Oakland and Reykjavik, to his artistic journey through the saxophone and immersive soundscapes.

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In this episode of "Ear Expansion," the host LaMont Hamilton engages in a rich and reflective conversation with Akeema-Zane, exploring her multifaceted journey as an artist. The conversation delves into Akeema-Zane's formative years, her hesitant embrace of her artistic identity, and the development of her unique sound, heavily influenced by her background, community connections, and the intersection of literature, poetry and sound in her work. 

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In this first of a two part episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages in a deep and sprawling conversation with musician Morgan Craft. Morgan shares his journey of musical evolution, from being an isolated metalhead in Minneapolis, discovering a passion for avant-garde and improvised music, to his adventures in New York City, and eventually found his unique voice through solo electric guitar improvisation. Morgan's narrative is one of relentless curiosity and dedication to pushing the boundaries of music, a journey marked by moments of personal transformation, including a significant stint in Italy to redefine his artistic path.

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In this episode of Ear Expansion, Brother Nicholas engages in a profound discussion with the host about the early influences on his sound work, particularly focusing on the impact of his father, David 'Strummin' Dog' Galanin. They explore how his father's passion for Delta blues and early musical education helped shape his artistic path. The conversation also delves into the symbolic and cultural significance of canoe construction, the rhythmic and ceremonial nature of indigenous practices, and the importance of the Tlingit language. 

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This episode of Ear Expansion features a deep conversation with musician Luke Stewart, discussing his sonic background and influences. Stewart recalls his formative years in both Mississippi and Washington D.C., highlighting experiences from playing in school bands and a punk group to his exposure to jazz and experimental music. Stewart shares insights into his solo work, 'Works for Upright Bass and Amplifier Volumes One and Two,' and his recent album 'Unknown Rivers,' touching upon themes of historical connections, improvisation, and feedback techniques. 

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In this episode of Ear Expansion, Yaw reflects on incorporating the Twi language into his work and addresses the emotional weight in the voices of artists like Donny Hathaway and Nina Simone. He shares insights on his collaborative experiences with Khari Lemuel and Theaster Gates' Black Monks, highlighting the importance of voice and chant in his artistic development. 

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In this episode of Ear Expansion, Damon Locks discusses his extensive musical and visual art journey, emphasizing the intersections between his practices. Starting from his formative years influenced by punk music, he details his experiences with bands like Trenchmouth and The Eternals and their sonic evolution. He highlights how his interest in visual art, inspired by his mother, led to an exploration of collage techniques in both mediums. 

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In this episode of Ear Expansion, Jahon Mikal discusses the multifaceted nature of his musical practice, which includes roles as a playwright, vocalist, songwriter, producer, and audio engineer. Jahon reflects on the origins of his musical journey, starting with playing marimbas at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center and participating in church choirs and musicals. He describes the influence of astrology on his music and shares insights into the evolution of his sound and compositions

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In this compelling episode of Ear Expansion, avant-garde clarinetist and composer Angel Bat Dawid shares her profound connection with music that began in her family's church and expanded during her childhood in Africa. The conversation navigates her musical journey through what she calls "Great Black Music" dispelling various industry imposed genres, including funk, jazz, classical, and gospel. Angel discusses her experiences with racial discrimination in music institutions, fueling her dedication to and building within the tradition of 'Great Black Music' all while  fostering community-focused music initiatives. 

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