Soundscape compositions created using infrasonic and ultrasonic field recordings from my research creation project from 2018-2019. I transposed infrasound and ultrasound into the audible range so that it could be communicated to the listener in an impactful way. I combined unmanipulated audible sounds along with the manipulated inaudible sounds in a creative way that provided my audience with a more complete picture while also contextualizing the sounds. Making use of the parts of the user’s sensory system that they are actually consciously aware of (i.e. sight and audible sound) helps bring attention to our biological sensitivities that might otherwise remain unconscious and thus “nonexistent.” In this way, I discovered art to provide a multi-media sensory solution that had a greater impact than raw data or mere text.

https://finearts.uvic.ca/research/blog/2019/06/17/acoustic-ecologist-kaitie-sly-explores-unheard-world-of-ambient-sound/

Mosquito

This piece titled, Traversing the Mind, was created at Lobe Spatial Sound Studio using 4DSOUND technology and has been remixed for binaural listening. This piece is a hybrid between a musical composition and a sound journey. I aimed to bring elements and instrumentation of sound healing and meditation into this piece, to go along with Lobe's mandate of using spatial sound immersion to assist in cognitive-behavioral therapies, meditation practices, and somatic therapies. This piece features performances on singing bowls and gongs by sound healer, Bonnie Starcevich; and Mongolian/Tuvan throat singing from internationally renowned throat singer and sound healer, Matthew Kocel.

 

To experience the piece, a listener puts on an EEG headset device, which stands for electroencephalogram. An EEG device records electrical activity that is being produced by your brain activity. This device analyzes the listener's brainwave activity for the amount of alpha [relaxation] and beta [concentration, gamma [peak focus], theta [meditation], and delta [sleep] frequency ranges. Brain waves in these frequency ranges are mapped to different elements of the soundscape and control/manipulate these elements based on fluctuations in these frequency ranges. Certain frequency ranges manipulate certain sounds. The result is a literal and figurative journey through the mind, as we hear the soundscape being manipulated directly from the mind of the listener. The piece starts off in the external world, then dives into the internal world of the mind where the listener is taken on a sonic journey through the darkness and tranquility of the mind, and everything in-between. The truth is, when we meditate, the process is not always pleasant. Sometimes, our thoughts are racing, sometimes things come up - thoughts and emotions that we have to face. When you meditate, there is no longer anything to distract you from your true thoughts and feelings. And so you have to learn how to sit with your own mind. That’s why they call it a meditation “practice.” You will of course, encounter moments of tranquility sometimes too and that’s what this music reflects. But the world of the mind is infinitely complex and this composition takes a deep dive into the world of the mind. Thus there are elements of dissonance and consonance. Peace and hostility.

Shamanic Dream

Creativity

Long Awaited Winter is a story about the day-to-day life of a farmer as a metaphor to demonstrate Buddhist principles of non-reactivity. From dealing with the changes in weather and the impact this has on his or her livelihood, the farmer learns to accept life's ups and downs without getting wrapped up in them. Thus, the message of the song shows that embracing life's adversities without aversion is a choice that allows us to break free from our mental resistance — anger, denial or wishing for things that are out of our control to go a certain way.

Producer: Kaitie Sly and Andy Schichter
Bass and vocals: Kaitie Sly
Guitars: Johannes Grames
Drums: Max Ley
Recorded at: Park Sound Studio, Vancouver, BC
Keys: Anna Katarina
Mixed by Andy Schichter and mastered by Andrew Downton at Railtown Mastering

Long Awaited Winter

A collaboration between myself and some Moroccan friends, Greater Love is a track inspired by the writings of Paulo Coelho with a Moroccan/North African flair. 

Written by Kaitie Sly
Produced by Andy Schichter and Kaitie Sly
Bass, Vocals and Whistling - Kaitie Sly
Guitars - Amine Said and Yassine Noujdi
Drums and percussion - Chris Couto
Oud - Yassine Noujdi
Keys/Sound Design - Andy Schichter
Assistant Engineer - Hudson Schelesny
Recorded at Park Sound Studio, Vancouver, BC
Mastered by Andrew Downton at Railtown Mastering

Lyrics:
Amid sky and ocean blue I sail
The path in view
Not knowing and the wind 
blows to you
Emotions
My dream 
drifts to me
Under my boat

The fires of hell exist within this paradise
The warmth of sun endures along with the deep of ice 
Expanse below supports me in my solitude
Journey for a life where all beauty's not subdued

A greater love, that forgives everything
Never allows you to feel abandoned
May it grow in me and the one whom its for
Unite and face life in a Nobel way

I will not talk to my own darkness anymore
Divided kingdom cannot defend itself from war
Resolve your own internal battle and break the glass
Days are waning gold is here and will come to pass

A greater love, it’s waves have cocooned me
The golden fruits of the sun have warmed me
As one we see true brilliance of all things
Truth resides where there is a faith

Greater Love

We are all our own worst critic. This song is about the constant battle we all face daily with our own internal critic. But in truth, there is Brilliance in every scene. Be kind to yourself.

Brilliance

A sampling of the audio tracks for the exercises on Kaitie's Beginner Series: Bass Method (Volume I) book.

Three's Company

Minor D-Tales

E-Z Street

Dinor Blues

Ranchero Sunrise
By Kaitie Sly

Gus Verstraten - Drums
Sandesh Nagaraj - Guitars
Kaitie Sly - Bass
Carl Byron - Hammond B3
Adam Hall - Dobro
Bobby Grigas - Conga and Shaker

Mixed by Joe Primeau.

Ranchero Sunrise

Here's a recent recording I played bass on for the talented Christian Stonehouse. Hope you enjoy!

Gypsy Wind - Christian Stonehouse Feat. Brent Howard

Written and performed by Kaitie Sly
Produced by Braeden Rangno and Kaitie Sly
Percussion by Chris Couto

Mixed by Braeden Rangno, Mastered by Greg Reeley
Photo by Carol Gandra
Design by Stephanie Kawahara

Lyrics:
The atmosphere there bites
Drive away the ones that don't deserve
Intimidate my mind
Make me feel as though I've done you wrong

You push us till we drown
Lend a hand and show us your support
You live your days in fear
Hostile world, I'm not too credible

I hear you're feeling bad
But it's too late, I'm disenchanted now
Where is community?
Where's your line?
and where's your open ear?

New prospect now
Not your hate
Choose to apply lines I draw

Try to shackle me I broke your chain
Fuel for my strength is all my pain
Effort that you took was made in vein
Wipe the slate clean, lets make it rain

Showed you all the power built in me
Put you on your knees and heard your plea
Fighting for the moment when I'm free
Ship is sailing out to open sea

Showed you all the power built in me
Put you on your knees and heard your plea
Fighting for the moment when I'm free
Ship is sailing out to open sea

Da da da dum dum dum dum
da da da dum da da dum dum
Da da da dum dum dum dum
da da da dum da da dum dum

The arrogance is clear
Jungle laws in high society
I feel my compulsion
It's not too late
I choose what to allow

New prospect now
Not your hate
Choose to apply lines I draw

Personal vow
Change my fate
From life underground and jungle laws

Hostile World

Kaitie Sly – Bassist • Composer • Sonic Storyteller
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For nearly three decades, Kaitie Sly has been captivating audiences with her deep musicality, cinematic soundscapes, and magnetic stage presence. A Vancouver Island native, Kaitie began performing professionally before she could drive — cutting her teeth in smoky clubs and on festival stages across British Columbia. By high school, she was already touring internationally, lighting up legendary venues like Liverpool’s Cavern Club and sharing the stage with Motown legend Martha Reeves.
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Known for her melodic, emotionally resonant bass lines, Kaitie’s music fuses jazz, rock, world music, and experimental sound design into immersive live experiences. Whether performing solo or as a collaborator, she delivers performances that are both technically masterful and soul-stirring — pulling listeners into sonic worlds they won’t soon forget.
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Trained in jazz, contemporary music, and music technology at some of North America’s leading institutions, Kaitie first built her reputation as a sought-after session bassist and vocalist. Her latest solo album, Forgotten Memoirs, released in May 2025, is a bold, genre-defying journey that blurs the line between memory and music, rhythm and reflection.
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A cutting-edge sound designer, Kaitie has developed immersive spatial audio works during residencies at Lobe Studio (Vancouver) and MONOM’s 4DSOUND system (Berlin), where she continues to push the boundaries of sonic storytelling.
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Currently Head of Bass for Musora’s pioneering PlayBass platform, Kaitie is also a dedicated mentor, empowering a new generation of women and girls to take up the bass and claim their space in music.
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For bookings, press, or collaborations: contact@kaitieslymusic.com 
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Kaitie Sly

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