About Lisa DeGrace

I am a sound composer who creates spatial environments that express a ‘sonic perfume’ of people, land, and spirits. My soundscapes are created from found sounds, MIDI and live instrumentation, and my voice. My voice in particularly frequently calls over: inviting, ethereal, creepy, or guttural. Though I don’t often use words, the voice creates story and gives trajectory to the work. While my music is inexorably tied to my computer, I work to ensure that the roots remain analog, taking pleasure in the methodical creation of sounds. It’s important for me to know where each sound comes from, and to have my touch present, even though most listeners can’t identify them. A field recording of a train-crossing bell, when brought down 42 semitones, is an amazing soothing pulse. My favorite rattles were created from metal and plastic bullet casings found on hikes while in residency. I recorded the ever-present sound of rainwater dripping through a pipe in our rehearsal space. My cat’s purring is a lovely bass line. Etc. There is an intimacy to this process that unconsciously impacts the listener. A good deal of my work has been in collaboration with video and contemporary dancers, especially Butoh. I am drawn to the experience of creating call and response between sound and movement, especially in live performance. The scores have strong improvisational muscles, sitting on a skeletal score, allowing breath and conversation between the dancer/visual and my sound. Since 2020 I have additionally focused efforts on solo sound projects that address ancestors, death, grieving, and memory. Active projects include: • AT HOME WITH YOUR DEATH is comprised of soundscape remembrances of people who have died as described by people who loved them. • ARTIFACT: Moving beyond the essence of people, we come to essence of space. Artifact is a series of meditative video/sound installations that capture the geological-time-essence of landscapes in sound, light, and time. Work has to date been focused in Oregon, following the flow of the ancient Steens basalt flows from south central Oregon to the coast. • ELDER PORTAL is a large-scale project to create a stronger connection to elders/spirits who have died. The first iteration is a 35-minute video performance piece, in which I called to my grandparents to bring my recently deceased father “home.” Ongoing development will include stand-alone sound scores and site-specific installation pieces suitable for a performative gallery setting.

Work experience

Lisa's Skills

Live
  • Artist
  • Singer
Venue Type Experience
  • Theatre/PAC
Musician
  • Artist
  • Performer
  • Singer

Lisa's Genres

  • Experimental

Lisa's Experience

I’ve collaborated with dancers (contemporary, Butoh) and video artists for 15 years.