Live performance recording by Emergency Stopping Only of Street Speeches and Other Human Phenomena by Isaac Smith (9 March 2019).

Composer's program note:
Street Speeches, created in collaboration with Emergency Stopping Only, is a work that explores the and responds to the powerful social activism of my generation: the millennials. People my age have been the galvanizing force behind movements like #metoo and Black Lives Matter, and have already effected large changes in the way discrimination and sexual violence are perceived by and discussed in American society. The unity and strength of these movements comes from the diversity of their members. This concept is at the heart of Street Speeches; its most powerful moments of cohesion and expression emerge from chaos and dissonance. It comes from a place of both pride and frustration; I am proud of what we have accomplished as artists and community leaders, and frustration at how we have been denigrated by previous generations as freeloaders while working so hard that one of our generational hallmarks is normalized mental illness. Street Speeches is an experiment, but a necessary one for me to find my voice in troubled, uncertain times. In spite of these times, the piece ends with optimism, because the people working to break others down are always outnumbered by those working to build one another up.

Copyright © 2019 Isaac Smith. All rights reserved.
www.isaacsmith.me

Street Speeches and Other Human Phenomena

Music composed by Leonardo Escobar, recorded by Emergency Stopping Only.

Copyright © 2019 Emergency Stopping Only. All rights reserved.
www.emergencystoppingonly.org

The Vibe After Midnight

Emergency Stopping Only is a Boise-based, brain funk band/contemporary music ensemble which performs new music by emerging composers. Co-directed by composer/pianist Jared Knight, composer/saxophonist/vocalist Leonardo Escobar, and drummer/producer Collin McFadden, the band also features violinist KeAndra Harris and bassist Joe Warnecke. ESO’s unique group of musicians draw inspiration from a smattering of musical styles, ranging from rock to classical, hip-hop to avant-garde, jazz to electronic, and nearly everything in between. All of ESO’s members are Boise State alumni.

ESO seeks to commission and perform music by emerging composers, blur the boundaries between musical styles, and expand the palate of Boise's contemporary music scene. Current and upcoming projects include the group’s debut album (2020); a collaboration with composer Isaac Smith (2019); a collaboration with composer Daniel DeLay (2020); a major commission project with composer Joseph Sowa (2020); and a performance tour of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon (2020).

3 years old

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Emergency Stopping Only

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