Notes from Sorcha...
Collaboration seems to be at the core of making great art (great communities, great countries, anything great really) that speaks to the pieces of yourself that you forget to talk to or you forget are listening. Other people can bring out in you elements and ideas that you may not otherwise explore. They can inspire and challenge you to constantly look at your work, your relationships, yourself and your surroundings from new perspectives. My collaborative projects have been some of my most fulfilling, while my solo pieces within them and my individual endeavors also help keep me feeling whole.
Walk It Once: CD Project
My newest album was born from the unparalleled collaboration with two college friends of the "renaissance" kind – Pete Morse, who engineered the album at his Busted Barn Recording studio in Freeport, Maine and masterfully rocked multiple stringed instruments (bass, electric and lap steel guitars, banjo, and mandolin) and Zak Trojano, drummer, composer, and music instructor of the highest order, who provided the rhythmic drive, grounding and sophistocation and also lyric contributions on track 10, "Lemon Tree." Also appearing on the album are Frank Ferrel, reknowned fiddle player, and cellist Roger Green. I couldn't have been happier with the energy and talent I was surrounded with. >>listen to song samples
Art of Autonomy: a performance of self-discovery
Here's how it was billed: "Original folk-jazz and blues songs interspersed with video, dance and free-standing paintings in a piece centered around the two-fold concept of letting go of past attachments and claiming one's own space." I dreamed this one up, and got to produce and perform it with three wildly talented and inspiring women: videographer Molly O’Neill, dancer and choreographer Corinne Cappelletti and visual artist Jeanne Twomey. It was an amazing process for all of us as it unfolded, as it allowed us to ask of ourselves the same questions we asked of others.
>>Read about how this piece evolved
>>Book this performance at your venue
Chasing The Moving Train - video
This trans-American music and video travelogue was produced by Meg DeFrancesco, a freelance videographer and friend of mine from childhood, and it also became the inspiration for the track "Chasing A Moving Train" on Walk It Once. The setting for the film is expansive - covering various cities and towns and spontenaeities across America that lay in our path during our 2005 cross-country drive. The humor and energy in this 20 minute long stunning montage is addictive, the editing superb, and the original soundtrack impressive. Maybe down the line we'll post a sample video clip for you.
Jordan Messan Benissan’s West African drumming ensemble
I perform periodically with Benissan’s ensemble as supporting vocalist and guitarist at weddings, festivals and private functions throughout New England. A once frequent collaborator with Benissan in the studio, I provided supporting vocals, guitar and an original song for his 2004 release Let Me Play My Music (2004); and harmony vocals on his latest, Fame Without Fortune (2005). Visit www.jordanbenissan.com to see what he's up to.
Balance: CD Project
This, my debut album, I am proud to say was paid for almost entirely through the barter system. OK, so I had to take out a small loan too. I bartered landscaping and sound editing labor for precious studio time. I quit my summer job one month early to take advantage of this opportunity, pieced together a band across a few states, provided them with song arrangements, and recorded most of the album after 11pm at Unintentional Studio in Blue Hill where I had previously worked as Assistant Engineer. This project was one of the most satisfying decisions – and early investments - I have ever made.