DEGRACE, Lisa

  I am a sound composer who creates spatial environments that express a ‘sonic perfume’ of people, land, and spirits. My soundscapes are created from found sounds, MIDI and live instrumentation, and my voice.

My voice in particularly frequently calls over: inviting, ethereal, creepy, or guttural. Though I don’t often use words, the voice creates story and gives trajectory to the work. While my music is inexorably tied to my computer, I work to ensure that the roots remain analog, taking pleasure in the methodical creation of sounds. It’s important for me to know where each sound comes from, and to have my touch present, even though most listeners can’t identify them. A field recording of a train-crossing bell, when brought down 42 semitones, is an amazing soothing pulse. My favorite rattles were created from metal and plastic bullet casings found on hikes while in residency. I recorded the ever-present sound of rainwater dripping through a pipe in our rehearsal space. My cat’s purring is a lovely bass line. Etc. There is an intimacy to this process that unconsciously impacts the listener. A good deal of my work has been in collaboration with video and contemporary dancers, especially Butoh. I am drawn to the experience of creating call and response between sound and movement, especially in live performance. The scores have strong improvisational muscles, sitting on a skeletal score, allowing breath and conversation between the dancer/visual and my sound. Since 2020 I have additionally focused efforts on solo sound projects that address ancestors, death, grieving, and memory.