Live performance at Indexical. Santa Cruz, CA. March 31, 2018.

While there is no notated pitch material in Aaron Cassidy’s "I purples, spat blood, laugh of beautiful lips", that particular challenge is made up for in the extreme rhythmic, linguistic, and technical complexity of the work. This work is a simulateous setting of two texts: Arthur Rimbaud's “Voyelles” in French, and Christian Böks homophonic translation in English. The score requires the singer to shift rapidly between vocal techniques (raspy vocal fry, airy sounds, isolated consonants) and execute minute dynamic shifts, all while keeping up with the frantic rhythmic pacing of the work dictated by a click track. The live electronic component of this piece is for the singer’s ears only: a track plays a continuous siren through the singers full range, which dictates pitch throughout the work. Performing "I, purples" feels something like a false confession, the score and the electronic track so consuming the performer’s moment that she is left with no option but it’s execution.

I, purples, spat blood, laugh of beautiful lips

Vocalist Nina Dante is a soloist, chamber musician, and improvisor. She specializes in experimental/explorative music.