SONIC MUD: ABOVE GROUND
ALBUM RELEASE PARTY AND PERFORMANCE
December 12, 2023, 7pm
The Center for New Jewish Culture
at the Union Temple House of CBE
Third Floor
17 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11238
On December 12th, the Center for New Jewish Culture will celebrate SONIC MUD’s debut album with a special performance by Julia Elsas, Kenny Wollesen, Kirk Knuffke, Mike Irwin, Madeleine Ventrice, Doug Wieselman, Éléonore Weill, Rich Stein, and Steven Bernstein.
New Jewish Culture Fellow Julia Elsas has spent the last nine years exploring the sonic potential of ceramic sculpture. During her time as a fellow, Elsas reimagined the Biblical musical instrument referred to as the “Ugav.” Contemporary interpretations of the Ugav describe it either as a reed or stringed instrument, while others interpret it as a pipe, end-blown flute, water organ, harp, or simply a love charm. Elsas brings the Ugav to life by creating playable sonic sculptures that are then activated by SONIC MUD, a band of professional musicians. SONIC MUD musicians play a range of ceramic flutes, drums, natural trumpets, shakers, clayrimbas, rain machines, water whistles and more, all hand-built by Elsas, with each performance a unique improvisation on the richly resonant and earthy sounds of clay.
This performance celebrates the release of SONIC MUD’s first album, Above Ground, which will be available for purchase. Join us for the performance, live Q&A, and a reception celebrating this unique engagement between contemporary musicians and ancient mythologies of sound.