Thoughts on an Unfinished Composition…

Scott Smallwood is a sound artist, composer, and performer who creates works inspired by discovered textures and forms, through a practice of listening, field recording, and improvisation. In addition to composing works for ensembles and electronics, he designs experimental instruments and software, as well as sound installations and audio games, often for site-specific scenarios. Much of his recent work is often concerned with the soundscapes of climate change, and the dichotomy between ecstatic and luxuriating states of noise and the precious commodity of natural acoustical environments and quiet spaces. He performs as one-half of the laptop/electronic duo Evidence (with Stephan Moore) and has collaborated with many artists and ensembles including Continuum Ensemble, Ensemble SurPlus, Seth Cluett, Mark Dresser, Cor Fuhler, John Butcher, Pauline Oliveros, Cindy Baker, Jen Mesch, Sean Caulfield, Sydney Lancaster, Yanira Castro, Marilène Oliver, and many others. He teaches as an associate professor of composition at the University of Alberta, where he also serves as the director of the Sound Studies Institute.