Ka Baird

Ka Baird is a performer, sound artist, musician and composer based in New York City. Using extended voice and microphone techniques along with electronics, field recordings and traditional instrumentation, they explore the outer dimensions of sound through performance. They are known for their vigorous, ritualistic delivery that seeks extreme release through physical exertion and psychic extension. Ka has collaborated with many other artists, both in structured compositions and in their dedicated practice of improvisation.

"Yomp" is an in progress performance work that explores and contrasts the idea of the march versus a walk as a way to explore detours and indirect trajectories. "Yomp" plays with the idea of a march constantly falling apart, symbolizing a refusal to submit to regimented time demands. The piece also plays with the form of the American drum and fife tradition, drum corps, and the use of music in the military. Ka will spend their time researching the histories of the march and its uses in various cultures and contexts. They will explore methods for analyzing the rhythms of geographical spaces and will explore the area and make field recordings both as source material for their performance piece as well as a way of choreographing a sound walk throughout the city.