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The Squid's Ear Magazine

Lopez, Brandon / DoYeon Kim
Syzygy, Vol. 1

Lopez, Brandon / DoYeon Kim: Syzygy, Vol. 1 (577 Records)

A confluence of contrasting strings recorded in the studio in NYC, bringing bassist Brandon Lopez and gayageum master DoYeon Kim together in an acoustic dialogue of free improvisation, blending Lopez's explosive intuition with Kim's dynamic reinterpretation of tradition, resulting in a fascinating sonic journey that bridges ancient melodies and avant-garde exploration.
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Brandon Lopez-bassist

DoYeon Kim-gayageum


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UPC: 755491322604

Label: 577 Records
Catalog ID: CD-577R-5944-1
Squidco Product Code: 35462

Format: CDR
Condition: New
Released: 2025
Country: USA
Packaging: Digipack
Recorded at Sear Sound, in NYC, on Feburary 19th, 2024, by Jeremy Loucas.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"NYC Bassist Brandon Lopez Teams Up with Gayageum master DoYeon Kim Syzygy, Vol. 1.

Prepare to have your wig blown back by the improvisational force of nature that is adored bassist Brandon Lopez. He has returned to 577 Records once again - this time with gayageum master DoYeon Kim! Syzygy, Vol. 1 delivers a cosmic blast of experimental fascination that will open the door for you to leave our reality.

Based in NYC, Brandon Lopez has been a regular on the record label and in its delightful New York Forward Festival community. He is known for his uncanny ability to pull sounds from the ether and twist them into adventures that begin at the ear and end at the soul, traversing through the fibers of your existence with explosive vibrations. Described as "relentless" (by the New York Times) and "brutal" (by the Chicago Reader), this composer/bassist has a way of devastating our collective idea of music with his intuitive approach to improvisation.

"As I've found it," Brandon explains, "In improvisation, in its best cases, the individual or individuals engaged in the act of it seem to be in a larger conversation that, in its best cases, are utilizing and sacrificing an individual process to a greater process, which is a process, as I've found it, of dialog and making and listening and intuiting and MEOWing up and intentionally fucking up and helping the other when they are MEOWing up and getting helped when you are getting fucked up or fucking up and transfiguring the fuck ups. And between the practitioners, who, let us not forget, are also the listeners, find some kind of meaning or sense inside of that practice. It's a simple and ancient practice that's complicated and constantly on the cutting edge of whatever we as people are up to."

Meanwhile, DoYeon Kim brings a whole new layer of sacred sound to the album, which marks her first time with 577 Records. She shreds on her gayageum in a way no one knew was possible. Whether it is the way she becomes one with her instrument through her traditional training and courageous exploration or the magic of her collaboration with Lopez, you'll be thirsty for more.

Indulge in their ancient, dynamic melodies!"-577 Records


Artist Biographies

"[..] Composer/bassist, Brandon A. Lopez, deemed "The Ubiquitous Free Improv Bass Ace" by the Village Voice and said to play with a "Bruising Physicality" by the Chicago reader.

He was born and raised in the splendors of Northwestern New Jersey, in the shadow of the (New York) city. It was there that he cultivated a taste for the left of center musics and subsequently, dug graves.

He's had the pleasures of working with many of the world's luminary weirdos. Here's a list: Nate Wooley, William Parker, Chris Corsano, Justice Yeldham, Weasel Walter, Peter Evans, Tyshawn Sorey, Gerald Cleaver, Ingrid Laubrock, Tom Rainey, Tony Malaby, Paul Lytton, Mette Rasmussen, Jooklo Duo, Michael Foster, Leila Bordreuil, Jaimie Branch, Joe Morris, Brandon Seabrook, Cactus Truck, John Dykeman, Daniel Carter, and many others.

He's currently leads a trio dubbed "The Mess", another one called the Brandon Lopez Trio, works as a soloist and is formerly/currently/latterly writing more and more music. He may play some it sometime soon (see "gigs").

He attended New England Conservatory."

-Brandon Lopez Website (http://www.brandonlopez.nyc/)
2/19/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Do Yeon Kim is a Korean composer and gayageym player. Kim incorporates traditional Korean music into her composition and promotes music performed on the gayageum. She was born in Seoul, Korea and currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts. She studied Contemporary Improvisation at New England Conservatory. She is a member of Jayu Quartet.

-Squidco 2/19/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. I 5:10

2. II 5:13

3. III 9:07

4. IV 12:32

5. V 7:20

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Free Improvisation
NY Downtown & Metropolitan Jazz/Improv
Asian Improvisation & Jazz
Stringed Instruments
Duo Recordings
New in Improvised Music
Recent Releases and Best Sellers

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577 Records.

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The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

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