In this episode of Ear Expansion, LaMont Hamilton engages in a deep and expansive conversation with interdisciplinary artist, musician, and theorist DeForrest Brown Jr. They discuss Brown's early musical influences, the integration of black history and techno within his work, and the critical intersections of race, class, and cultural history in America. Brown talks extensively about his major projects, including 'Assembling a Black Counterculture,' 'Black Nationalist Sonic Weaponry,' and 'Techxodus,' highlighting the themes of empathy, trauma, and the sonic futures of black America. Additionally, they delve into the intricacies of Brown's collaborations and his reflections on techno as a form of black cultural production, as well as his innovative blending of music, writing, and activism.

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton speaks with multidisciplinary artist, DJ and theorist Ryan C. Clarke about his practice, which integrates sedimentology, coastal geomorphology, black electronic music studies, blues epistemologies, ethnomusicology, regional environmental history, and more. Clarke shares his early influences, from his grandparents' gospel radio to video games, and explains deltaic thinking, a framework connecting black music's social histories with geological processes. They discuss blues epistemologies, the relationship between blackness and ecologies under colonial pressures, and the deep time concepts in techno music. Clarke also highlights his work with the Dweller festival to support black electronic artists and foster community.

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages in a conversation with artist and sonic explorer Bonnie Han Jones. They explore Bonnie’s artistic journey, particularly her experimental work in sound and language. Bonnie shares her unique approach to instrumentation, her experiences in diverse musical communities, and the conceptual frameworks that guide her exploration of sound and language. The conversation also delves into her interests in the materiality of sound and her projects that examine the complexities of transnational adoption and identity, the concept of sonic citizenship, and her ongoing engagement with sound and language as a medium for personal and cultural storytelling.

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton converses with rhythmic tap explorer Melissa Almaguer. In this conversation they explore Almaguer's journey from her early tap dance experiences to her expansive work that spans improvisation, ensemble collaborations, and experimental forms. Almaguer shares how tap dance became her primary sonic language and a means of healing and liberation. The discussion delves into the historical roots of tap dance, its connection to African American history, Latin American, Caribbean and Indian analogs and its role in artistic and personal expression around the globe. Melissa also reflects on her collaborations with renowned artists and the importance of improvisation and community within tap dance. Themes of rhythm, movement, and sound are woven throughout the conversation, highlighting the transformative power of movement and sound.

In this episode of Ear Expansion, LaMont Hamilton engages in an extensive conversation with Giulia Loli aka Mutamassik, a multifaceted artist known for her work as a producer, multi-instrumentalist, essayist, and thinker. The dialogue explores Mutamassik's formative experiences with a culturally diverse musical background, her deep dive into punk, classical, and jazz genres, as well as the ethos syncopation, which she learned from her mother, guiding her approach to turntablism. Giulia shares insights from her experiences living with the Maasai in Tanzania, highlighting the cultural and historical connections between East Africa and Egypt. She discusses how resourcefulness and creativity are interlinked, especially in harsh environments, and reflects on her work's philosophical and spiritual dimensions. The episode also delves into the collaborative and improvisational nature of her project 'Rough Americana' with Morgan Craft, emphasizing a blend of ancient and modern influences in their music. The conversation concludes with reflections on the essence of sound and its deep connection to humanity and the natural world.

In this episode of Ear Expansion, LaMont Hamilton converses with Beans about his journey through the vibrant hip-hop scene in Westchester County. They discuss early inspirations and the significance of White Plains in Beans' musical formation. Beans reflects on his transition from being a DJ to forming his first band Treadin Measures, and the impact of famed venues like the Nuyorican Poets Café on his artistic evolution. They explore his unique approach to merging hip-hop with avant-garde poetry, the significance of his album titles, and his commitment to maintaining hip-hop's core principles while embracing radical experimentation. The discussion also delves into the macabre elements in Beans' work, his foray into crime fiction, and the influence of musical icons like Public Enemy.

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host by LaMont Hamilton is inc conversation with multi-dimensional artist Jordan Deal. The conversation explores Jordan's artistic journey, rooted in various mediums including sound, performance, poetry and installation. Jordan discusses their early sonic influences growing up in Philadelphia, influenced by a diverse array of music. They reflect on important milestones such as their engagement with political thought and Black radical traditions, and their deep dive into jazz and free jazz. A significant part of the discussion is about their performance practices, which include invoking spiritual and ancestral presences through sound and ritual. Jordan explains how chaos and guerrilla tactics influence their work and their concept of 'chaos force'. The episode also delves into the interwoven themes of memory, trauma, and healing in Jordan’s practice, and their use of water as a symbolic and physical element in their art. They also elaborate on the impact of their projects like 'Momma I Rode the Beast' and 'Seas of Triple Consciousness'. They wrap up by discussing their recent work 'Go-Go Underworld' and the multidimensional aspects of their sound practice.

(Note: We had some audio issues towards the end of this conversation. Please forgive the technical difficulties)

In this episode of Ear Expansion, host LaMont Hamilton engages in an in-depth conversation with Leila Bencharnia about her artistic journey and deep connection to sound, rooted in her childhood experiences with her father, a prominent Gnawa musician. Leila explores how her early sound experiences were holistic and spiritually significant, contrasting with her later academic study of classical composition. She discusses how acousmatic music and sound system culture eventually guided her to merge traditional Gnawa music's spiritual and communal aspects with modern electronic and recording techniques. The conversation delves into her creative processes, emphasizing field recordings, non-linear time, and matrilineal influences that shape her unique sound installations. Leila addresses the political critiques embedded in her work, particularly concerning the Mediterranean migrant crisis and the deeply personal and communal impact of migration. Through a series of poignant reflections, she ultimately connects her practice to broader themes of human experience, spirituality, and resistance.