Hypnopompia
A Random Reflection
(2024)
Video Shot by Cade Zube
Video Edited by Sam Kacala
Audiobook and Zine Produced by Sam Kacala
Narrated by Maaly Napoleon
Musical Accompaniment by Jane Han (piano) & Ted King Smith (sax)
Live Sound Mixed by Jordan Lee
Art Installation by Jeff Zimpel
Digital Drum Sounds by Streetlight Society
Hosted by The Ivy House
Memories from Somewhere
Environments of Sound
(2022)
Original Reference Tracks
Lyrics by Maaly Napoleon
Transcriptions by Sam Kacala
Photographs by Mohammed Hasanin
Video Shot by Brandon Marchant & Jeff Zimpel
Video Editing by Brandon Marchant (A-Side/B-Side), and Sam Kacala
Musical Accompaniment by Calvin Turner (bass), Gabriel Hammer (organ/keys), Peter Geraci (sax), Keandre Wilson (guitar), and Sam Kacala (drums & electronics)
Original Music Written & Produced by Sam Kacala
Additional Vocals by Tekayes
Audio Engineering by Holden Sherer
Set Designed by Sam Kacala
Curated by Jeff Zimpel
Drum Set Designed by students from Arts @ Large Summer Session 2022
Digital Drum Sounds by Streetlight Society
Thank you to Arts @ Large for your support
Music Library
A Presentation of Collaborative Space
(2022)
This look is a visual representation of not only the audio, but the experience of writing the songs. The collaborative process presents an infinite range of ideas that can work in many different ways where the decisions essentially capture a snapshot in time.
This look is a visual representation of not only the audio, but the experience of writing the songs. The collaborative process presents an infinite range of ideas that can work in many different ways where the decisions essentially capture a snapshot in time.
Music Written & Performed by Tori Isaac (tap dance), Michael Cerda (keys), Calvin Turner (bass), Keandre Wilson (guitar), Jamie Breiwick (trumpet), Emmitt James (vocals), & Sam Kacala (drums & electronics)
Produced by Sam Kacala
Photography by Ethan Sorge
Curated by Jeff Zimpel
Recorded by Mark Soriano
Live Sound Engineered by Mark Soriano
Artwork by Sam Kacala
Video Edited by Sam Kacala
Before Dust Settles
Collaboration with Arts @ Large Summer Session Students
(2022)
A teacher's wisdom is written in temporary percussion across a chalkboard. Imprinted in the mind, but wiped away to make room for the next lesson. Knowledge turned to dust. This drum kit was built and designed with this idea in mind. That each groove will imprint only a moment in time. With a helping hand from the Arts @ Large Summer Session students, the design of the kit became an interactive sculpture that was used in each performance throughout a two and half month residency that followed.
This Studio is Alive: MKE Gallery Night Soundscape
Collaboration with Saint Kate Artist In Residence, Jeff Zimpel
(2022)
R.A.T.M.A.N. Part 1: Random Acronym That Means Absolutely Nothing
Experiments in Sound Sampling and Drum Breaks
(2021)
Trapped Inside
Drum Kit Design & Production
(2020)
As I visited Jeff's Studio during the early days of his residency at Saint Kate, I witnessed his rhythmic nature of grinding down natural pigments, on their way to becoming paint. A collaborative opportunity arose when I was able to attach microphones to his equipment in various places. We presented the sonic idea of a his living studio for Gallery Night MKE as I recorded, looped and manipulated the sound of his process in a live performance.
Through research, and experimentation with looping and sound, the R.A.T.M.A.N. sound project began to take shape. It became a place to present my process of understanding how performance can work beyond my traditional grasp of a drum and some sticks. This project is simply Part 1 of a long journey.
A drum kit made from laziness, and a desire to function in that space. The kit is a collapsible build that makes three trips from the car to the venue, just one. A personal passion project built just before the height of uncertainty and immobility, the imprint of this kit is simplistic in idea, but became multidimensional in practice. The acoustic kit combined with contemporary equipment, leading to a creative exploration of drum breaks and sample chops. The make-up of the kit is an old trunk - found dusty and lifeless - and a refurbished toy drum set for children.