Most Austinites love a chance to sing along at a concert, but sometimes just being there is the real draw. Music lovers who need some time to chill can find it at the Cloud Tree Gallery Auxiliary on Thursdays, starting June 8.
These concerts won't hurt listeners' feet, and in fact, there's no need to stand at all; The gallery will be outfitted with rugs, pillows, and bean bags, and attendees may bring their own yoga mats. These cozy listening sessions are each meant to be a "restorative, healing experience."
Folks unfamiliar with ambient music will likely still recognize it as "background music" from video games, spas, yoga studios, art galleries, and a multitude of other spaces where people are encouraged to relax and focus on an experience outside of the music. Ambient music, however, can also be experimental and artistically ambitious; In this case, it is not relegated to the background, and listening is the main event.
Cloud Tree Gallery's abstract interior design is a good backdrop for ambient sounds.Photo courtesy of Cloud Tree Gallery
Soundscapes within the genre often feature drones (single notes held for a very long time), improvisational melodies that do not repeat in contour or rhythm, sounds from "found objects" that aren't necessarily instruments, and creative use of synthesizers. The selected works in this series specifically blend "a high level of artistry and south bath aesthetics," according to a release.
The performances were curated by composer Justin Sherburn and cellist Sara Nelson, also known as Highway Lights, a married local duo who also play in the semi-orchestral instrumental group Montopolis. (Austinites with an interest in smashing the expectations of genre should check out the latter group's discography for heavy electronic instrumentation, cinematic composition, and conspicuously Western twists.)
In most cases, Highway Lights are just picking the music, but they will play the fourth and final week. The performance schedule is as follows:
- June 6: Austin Cantorum, a chamber choir that aims for transcendence via a meditative and "primal yet otherwordly" listening experience
- June 13: Elaine Barber, the principal harpist for the Austin Symphony, who in addition to orchestral music has played with Ray Charles and in video games
- June 20: Colin McIntyre, who creates soundscapes through hardware synthesis (i.e. composition on self-contained instruments rather than downloaded programs)
- June 27: Highway Lights Featuring Jon Sanchez, a longtime local guitarist who has played with Bob Schneider, Roky Erickson (13th Floor Elevators), and more
Concerts start each week at 8 pm. Tickets ($15) are available now at rocketcinematexas.com. Cloud Tree Gallery Auxiliary is located at 3411 E. 5th St.
