On September 17, 2023 the mysterious ways of the universe brought together Agnes Martian (from Oakland), Music for Connection (Arizona), Hair and Space Museum (also from Oakland) and New Age innovator and mentor Laraaji. This meeting of cosmically connected musicians and artists resulted in a massive jam session of sorts, which fortunately was recorded and documented and is now being released to the world- over an hour's worth of spellbinding musical journeys. All improvised. And like the forces that brought them together, all coincidence.
For those unfamiliar with the artists, Agnes Martian soundtracks an imaginary planetarium that charts undiscovered constellations of inner/outer space. The project was founded in 2019 by Benjamin Rodgers (guitar, synths) and Zekarias Thompson (saxophone). The duo collaborates with artists from various musical backgrounds, most recently with Philip Laurent. Their first album The Future Light Cone was released as a part of the Altered States series by Centripetal Force and Cardinal Fuzz.
Music for Connection is a free-improvisation collective organized by Gus Tomizuka exploring experimental and ambient sound collages. Collaboration is at the heart of their mission, and the group is often on the road creating connective musical narratives with different artists at each stop. Other members include multi-instrumentalist Grant Beyschau, who has worked with Centripetal Force as a member of both The Myrrors and Tambourinen.
New Age pioneer Laraaji is a musician, mystic, and laughter meditation practitioner based in New York City. His career has spanned more than 40 years and includes over 50 releases, several of which are collaborative in nature. His music and spirit serves as an inspiration and mentor for many in the ambient and sacred music circles.
Hair and Space Museum is the duo of Emily Pothast and David Golightly, who are also the co-founders of the band Midday Veil and the record label Translinguistic Other. HaSM projects are multimedia meditations on the generative, cosmic properties of sound.
Along with the cassette, there is a companion Risograph zine that is focused on reflections written by Agnes Martian members Benjamin Rodgers, Phillip Laurent, and Zekarias Thompson, and Gus and Patricio of Music for Connection in the months following the impromptu recording session. The zine examines individual memories of this evening of spontaneous music making and discusses approaches to collective improvisation.
The album is being presented by Transitory Tapes, Working Name Studios, and (a very humbled) Centripetal Force in a 150 copy cassette pressing and is available now for preorder at the Bandcamp.
Agnes Martian and Music for Connection will celebrate the release of Coincidence on May 31 at The Green Room at Royal Coffee, located at 2523 Broadway Avenue in downtown Oakland.