Bill Harris (Photo by Ricardo Adame)
Brian McFarlane (photo by Setareh Zandihaghighi)
al kolot
An evening of creative technologies from three unique solo artists: percussionist Bill Harris capping off his solo tour at home, al kolot’s intersections of electronica and piano preparation, and synthesist Brian McFarlane visiting from Detroit.
8:30 pm - Bill Harris, drums & electronics
9:15 pm - al kolot, piano & synths
10:00 pm - Brian McFarlane, electronics,
$15 / $10 w/ Student ID - Tickets Available at the Door
About the Artists
Bill Harris is a prominent Chicago-based percussionist, improviser, audio engineer, and curator working in areas of improvisation, jazz, noise, rock, and bluegrass. Presented both nationally and internationally, Bill's work focuses on a number of dedicated groups, ad hoc groups, and solo work, with over three decades of studying, practicing, and creating music. Additionally, Bill focuses on solo work incorporating acoustic and electronic material. Harris's unique approach to solo drumming combines acoustic and electronic elements, utilizing feedback and timbral manipulation to create a distinctive auditory experience. He has recorded four solo records: Atropa (2025), MACRODOSE (2024), Blinking Glue (2022), and ONOMAT (2021). The sonic landscapes created between his three solo records perfectly illustrates the ever-changing creative trajectory of his process as Harris develops his unique sound and solo repertoire. Both in sound, production, and technique, MACRODOSE sees an even deeper exploration and study of Harris's dedication to combining acoustically-sourced electronic sounds, and the unique ability of a drum's capacity to generate, manipulate, and interact with feedback in a musical way.
al kolot is a Chicago-based pianist and composer whose work bridges classical and jazz improvisation with electronic music. Combining experimental piano techniques and synthesizers, al juxtaposes textured synth patterns with piano harmony to explore electro-acoustic soundscapes.
They founded and curated 5th.sound, a daily sound-collection project documenting found sounds from everyday objects. They've performed at the Chicago Cultural Center for the Arts, Elastic Arts, Hairpin Arts Center, Experimental Sound Studio, and the Barely Fair Exposition. In 2019 they held musician residencies at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts.
al collaborated with the Harvard Library Innovation Lab on Alterspace, an immersive, patron-directed audio-visual environment. They hold a Bachelor of Music in Applied Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester.
Brian McFarlane is a multi-disciplinary artist and programmer living in Ypsilanti, MI. He documents performances around Southeast Michigan and organizes the experimental series Feedback Loop for artists to share processes and tools. Brian programs audio ecosystems to use probability (accidents) and improvisation (intention) to create texture (noise) and harmony (dissonance.)