Lia Kohl creates music that feels like a conversation between a classically trained instrument and the accidental noises of the modern world. Her cello doesn't just play melodies; it breathes, sighs, and stretches alongside the hum of self-checkout machines, the chirping of birds, and the crackle of live radio. It is deeply grounded in the physical world, yet it possesses a ghostly, ethereal quality that makes the most mundane sounds feel like sacred artifacts.
What sets Kohl apart is her refusal to separate 'music' from 'noise.' She treats a car blinker or a weather radio broadcast with the same harmonic respect she gives her strings. This creates a unique sense of presence; listening to her work feels like being hyper-aware of your surroundings in a way that is peaceful rather than overstimulating. It is the sound of paying very close attention to the beauty of the ordinary.
Start with 'Variations on a Topography' to hear how she weaves cello into environmental textures, or 'Normal Sounds' for a more direct exploration of her found-object philosophy. It is perfect for anyone who finds solace in the quiet chaos of public spaces or the stillness of a solitary afternoon.
Lia Kohl is a cellist, composer, and sound artist based in Chicago. She incorporates non-traditional sounds into her compositions, such as tornado sirens, turn signals, and noises from airplanes and self-checkouts. She has collaborated extensively with numerous other experimental musicians and sound artists, notably Whitney Johnson and Macie Stewart.
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