Composer, pianist, and interdisciplinary artist Sugar Vendil’s boldly vulnerable and kaleidoscopic “May We Know Our Own Strength” traverses a spectrum of grief, loss, and human resilience. The album demonstrates Vendil’s range as a vocalist, contemporary pianist, chamber musician, collaborator, and electronic artist.
“May We Know Our Own Strength” was composed for a short film project by filmmaker Jih-E Peng based on Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya’s installation of the same name. The abstract, hybrid narrative film centered around artist Phingbodhipakkiya’s piece exploring collective healing after sexual assault within AAPI communities, created tragically in the wake of the Atlanta spa shootings. Vendil's soundtrack is a lament and a howl, containing a dirge-like, ritualistic chant. Featuring her own voice, electronics (synths, sarunay samples recorded by Vendil), piano, and violin played by Pivnick, it recalls feelings of horror and pain, as well as collective mourning, healing, and strength.
“ooh wo ah oo wa o” reflects on the painful but necessary act of surrender through fluttering textures, glitches, and vocalizations. It is scored for vocalizing chamber ensemble, featuring various extended techniques, and is performed by NCP, the chamber group she founded in 2008. It was composed as Vendil decided to wind down the ensemble, followed by having to make the heartbreaking decision to put her dear cat Coco to sleep. The work is dedicated to Coco.
“coursing forth” was commissioned by Phingbodhipakkiya for her Lincoln Center installation, Rivers of Renewal, a piece inspired by the Thai New Year ritual of Songkran, where celebrants take part in throwing water at one another as a symbol of cleansing. In addition to her non-lexical singing style, Vendil’s music is embedded with messages of reassurance she sings and whispers: “You belong here,” and “This too shall pass,” phrases that give a nod to both Phingbodhipakkiya’s and Vendil’s creative efforts during the pandemic, a time of collective turmoil and increased anti-Asian attacks, to conjure hope.
Love & Thanks: TREVOR GURECKIS, my lobster. ECHO, our lil’ crab for taking good naps. COCO, I love you forever. FOUND OBJECTS MUSIC PRODUCTIONS, for providing space to record MWKOOS. ALICIA WALLER for encouragement and hot singing tips. LAURA COCKS, for generous listening & great advice. JIH-E PENG and AMANDA PHINGBODHIPAKKIYA, for beautiful collaborations that conjure strength and healing. CHAMBER MUSIC AMERICA for commissioning ooh wo aa oo wa o. DAVE RUDER for his labor of love that is Gold Bolus Recordings.
Image credit: still from JIH-E PENG’S film “May We Know Our Own Strength,” picturing AMANDA PHINGBODHIPAKKIYA’S installation of the same name
supported by 12 fans who also own “May We Know Our Own Strength”
Composition in spite of traditionalism. A sonic abrasion and proof that contemporary classical music is interesting, engaging and intoxicating. jiristepan
C. Diab describes “Exit Rumination” as “a sonic exorcism,” and its dark, swelling songs are equal parts catharsis and tension. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 26, 2018
Rachel Grimes brings the same knack for gorgeous moodiness she developed in Rachel’s to this moving, beautiful score. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 26, 2018
supported by 9 fans who also own “May We Know Our Own Strength”
My humanities professor showed me this piece and i cannot stop coming back to it. Something deep and alluring of this piece keeps me wanting more. Absolutely one of my favorite cuts from last year. Ra!