Tuesday July 2 * 7pm * $10-25 * TICKETS
Outside Time presents...
Lia Kohl and Whitney Johnson began improvising together in Chicago in 2018. What started with free exploration has coalesced in a set of sounds, approaches, and open compositions that take form on an upcoming record on Drag City, set to be released in November 2024. Drawing on their individual practices, Lia and Whitney have been delighted to discover their similarities and differences. Both Lia and Whitney are string players (cello and viola, respectively), composers, and sound artists based in Chicago. Both of their wide-ranging practices include solo composition and performance, installation, improvisation, and collaboration. Lia’s work centers curiosity and patience, an exploration of the mundane and profound possibilities of sound. As Matchess, Whitney’s practice asks listeners to engage with their own skepticism and belief in the effects of sound on bodies and minds.
Natalie Chami (TALsounds) is a Canadian-born Lebanese American musician and educator. Known for her work in drone, ambient, and improvisational music, she has cultivated a distinguished solo career over the past 15 years, crafting a distinctive blend of personal and transporting music. Her compositions seamlessly integrate synth work, operatic vocals, and meticulous atmosphere crafting. Chami has released albums on various labels, toured internationally, and earned acclaim for her significant contributions to the avant-garde electronic scene including publications such as Pitchfork, The Fader, The Washington Post, and The Chicago Tribune. Her latest release, Shift (2023), is a departure from her signature warm analog synth sound, with exclusive use of hardware digital and FM synthesizers, embracing a crisp, icy tonal palette and a minimalist approach. Notably, Chami collaborated with fellow Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) women in the production, art, and photography for the album. Beyond her contributions to live performance and music production, Chami played a pivotal role as a founding faculty member at the Chicago High School for the Arts, continues to maintain a private music studio for students since 2010, was a video host for the online musical instrument marketplace, Reverb.com, and currently serves as the Product Manager for Synthesizers at KORG USA. Chami also enjoys when her multifaceted career extends into the realm of film scoring and sound installations. She also very much loves her family of humans, cats, and dogs… and nature and chocolate cake.
Naoco Wowsugi is a community-engaged artist who blurs the lines between being an artist and an engaged citizen. As a first-generation immigrant living and working in Washington, DC, Wowsugi's cross-disciplinary projects—including portrait photography, participatory performance, sound healing, and horticulture—explore the nature of belonging and inclusive community building. Naoco will present a solo gong performance.