We’re thrilled to announce guitarist/composer Thomas Echols,—whose work is an amalgam of classical, modernist and pop music—as Trillium’s first artist-in-residence from March 16 to 21, 2020. While here for a stay up on Fayetteville’s magestic Mount Sequoyah, he’ll work on his own compositions as well as lead an algorithmic composition workshop using MaxSPM (email us if you’d like more info.) His residency culminates with a Trillium Salon at 7 p.m., Friday, March 20, inside Martin Chapel on Mount Sequoyah. Although no tickets are required, we’d love to know if you’re planning on joining in the magic. In addition to performing original compositions and modernist classics, he’s invited local collaborators on harp, clarinet and upright bass for a multimedia experience that transcends space and time.
As visiting artistic director for Austin Classical Guitar, Echols curated programs that included traditional instrumental recitalists, experimental electronics, newly commissioned works and interactive visual projections. His experimental-pop alter ego, Man, Woman, Friend, Computer, creates simple songs that unfold into meandering compositions, analogue synth fetishism, conspiracy pop, polyrhythmic laments, somnambulist visions, and process music. The Austin Chronicle described the project’s debut as: “Meditative and fetching . . . he ventures into a complex amalgam of analog and synth. Wistful, romantic. . . Echols’ vocals sooth to surrender.”
We can’t wait for the magic on the mountain and hope to have you there!