Bill Harris (Photo by Ricardo Adame)
Brian McFarlane (photo by Setareh Zandihaghighi)
Becky Grajeda (photo by Jorge Espinosa)
An evening of rhythmic technologies - drums, drones, dance from three unique solo artists: percussionist Bill Harris capping off his solo tour at home, synthesist Brian McFarlane visiting from Detroit, and a new project by sound/performance artist Becky Grajeda.
8:30 pm - Becky Grajeda, percussive dance
9:15 pm - Brian McFarlane, electronics
10:00 pm - Bill Harris, drums & electronics
$15 / $10 w/ Student ID - Tickets Available at the Door
About the Artists
Becky Grajeda is a sound and performance artist and sound designer of Mexican and European descent based in Chicago. She recently revived an improvisatory percussive footing practice begun with Eddie Breitweiser in 2010 under the instruction of Guillermo Gregorio. Amplified with contact mics, she explores different sonic textures by scraping, tapping, and dragging her feet against various surfaces including those of wood, leather, sand paper, and metal. In her direction-based sound performances she experiments with the perceived meaning in texts by authors such as James Baldwin and Bohumil Hrabal when read aloud simultaneously or repetitively by performers of different ages and ethnicities. Her abstract sound collages and installations primarily focus on the intricate sounds of everyday mechanical objects. Her frequent collaborators include Mark Booth, Nick Davis, Beth MacDonald, Neal Markowski, Charlie Schneider, and Jess Speer. In 2014 she received a grant from the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events to document three of her performative sound works.
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.)
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.