I wrote this poem late one night, sitting in front of the bathroom sink and reconciling with intense back pain. My mind recalled what I feel is one of the most heart-wrenching biblical psalms--Psalm 88--in which the psalmist cries out to a God who has poured out its terrors. Whereas this psalmist feels abandoned by their God, I feel abandoned by the idea of God, revealing it to be a metaphor for my own decay.
This poem was given an acousmatic setting for Nicholas Perry Clark and UMKC Musica Nova's Spring '24 program, "God and Other Needs."

Stone-Garden Psalm

This color-study paints the joyful cacophony of gathering places where people routinely meet. Whether religious or otherwise, rituals (such as attending church, participating in community choir, or volunteering) give life meaningful structure and provide opportunities for fellowship. 
Inspired by the Indian tamboura, I tuned all the strings of my guitar to G and D. I then explored several timbres, such as touching a harmonic on a vibrating open string, using my nails to create buzzing, or strumming molto sul pont. Vocals followed the same principle, using a spectrum from breathy to nasal color.
This piece was created for for Nicholas Perry Clark and UMKC Musica Nova's Spring '24 program, "God and Other Needs."

Fellowship Song

If I am to believe that God is other people, or that humans reflect the existence of God, what does that mean for ordinary moments? Can something as simple as a handshake be sacred?
I wrote this poem one night after an open mic, feeling grateful for those who listen intently to my music. Honest art reveals an intimate relationship to the world, making the conversations following a performance feel precious and vulnerable. As Carl Jung suggests, the artist shapes the collective unconscious of humankind. Thus, the greatest gift one can receive as an artist is attention--not to serve the ego but to build a pathway between two fragments of a greater consciousness.
This poem was given an acousmatic setting for Nicholas Perry Clark and UMKC Musica Nova's Spring '24 program, "God and Other Needs."

Psalm Of Recognition

A short siren explores thoughts I gleaned from Kierkegaard's concept of Anxiety.
This piece was created for for Nicholas Perry Clark and UMKC Musica Nova's Spring '24 program, "God and Other Needs."

Disquiet

190.5 FM.V1

(Album Cover by Mary Gladbach & Frances ☮︎ Exe) Friend-Core is back and friend-ier than ever in our sequel to our 2023 album! In F-C fashion, we've brought a wide range of genres and styles again this year, with everything from eclectic experimental electronica, to hyperpop, to even a few more poems again this year. All of us at Friend-Core hope you'll lend an ear to what all of us have worked so tirelessly to create and collaborate on, and as always, we hope this art inspires you to confront nothingness and create art. Congrats Friend-Core for another beautiful release, love you all! Cheers :] - 𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔞𝔡𝔰

Live Anywhere Else - stroads

Friend-Core is a music collective started by stroads based in Kansas City, MO. Our goal is to create a collaborative space for musicians and music enjoyers to share, talk about, and create music with one another