This mobile quadraphonic soundscape broadcasts alternative sonic realities. We can no longer count on the once-predictable seasonal dawn and dusk choruses of frogs, toads and birds. Decimated populations and irregular cycles of spring rains lead to dry creek beds that cannot sustain amphibians. A lack of natural brush fires and historic bison grazing patterns alters a habitat suited for a narrowly adapted species of charismatic bird.

2018-03-04 Rolling Ryot, Extinction Project 01

The Texas prairie once stretched for hundreds of miles and hosted millions of Attwater's Prairie Chickens, a charismatic form of grouse native to the state. This bird is known for its delightful -- some say comical -- mating calls. By the time of a 1937 survey, a mere 8,700 birds were counted. A captive breeding program has attempted for many years to replenish their numbers with limited success. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey killed all but 5 females still living in the wild. 

Attwater's Prairie Chicken evolved its grassland terrain to such an extent that it could not survive outside their diminishing territory. Human suppression of natural lightening-instigated fires allowed the prairie to grow thicker than the chickens preferred. The clearing of bison from the land in favor of cattle and agriculture meant these native ungulate's unique grazing patterns were no longer creating the kind of nesting habitat preferred by the birds.

We are on the cusp of losing the Texas prairie chicken. This piece attempts to use natural sound sources to assemble a lost narrative, an historic story where natural processes combine to create complex dynamics and rich ecosystems that support unique varieties of flora and fauna.

Rolling Ryot - Texas Prairie

Lyman Hardy III  "Frogs"  (2018) composition based on field recordings of various frog species from various rainforests of the world.  Excerpt

RR FROGS 90SEC STEREO EDIT

Patrick Mathews Halmrast STEREO MIX 04302018

Deep Rolling Waves

Desert

Fountain

Rolling Ryot installation in "The Color Inside" James Turrell Skyspace. Sensors were used to capture color temperature data both inside and outside the Skyspace. Color data was turned via Max Patch into MIDI data which controlled various aspects of the music. Performance Recorded on a rainy Friday night.

Psychoacoustic Cinema Performance 09/28/2018

Dumpster Fire is a unique, immersive percussive show played on two 30yard dumpsters. Two mainstays of the Austin music scene, Thor Harris (Swans) and Lyman Hardy (Pong) plays with two  robotic drums. High tech chirping meet super low-tech unamplified, booming low-frequencies.  Original show dates: November 14 and 21, 2020 6pm and 7:30pm

Rolling Ryot

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