Musical Instruments

2011 - Ongoing

As I shift between jobs, residencies, living spaces, studio spaces, and ambitions, I’m usually tinkering on a new musical instrument that experiments a guttural devotion I have to finding rare acoustics and testing fine craft. As a maker without a shop, each instrument was made with tools available at various places of employment and/or the hand tools that I’m able to lightly pack for an artist residency. I began building guitars in 2011 as an undergrad in Chicago, now I build mostly banjos that use light, titanium cooking vessels as acoustic resonators. The resonators are removable and fully functional as cook-wear. New instruments take anywhere between three months and two years to complete, and then another year or two to fine tune. A good instrument can’t be rushed.

The Cello Banjo with the Sympathetic Strings, Aka: Velvet

2022-2023

Purple Heart, Walnut, Ash, Cherry, Macassar Ebony, Buffalo skin, Aluminum, (Titanium camping wok resonator to come)

Velvet’s construction began at Smart Department, a fabrication studio I often work for, in Brooklyn during the Fall of 2022. It was completed with hand tools during my Spring 2023 residency with Bang Klang collaborator A.P. Bergeron in the Orient Point Lighthouse off the coast of long Island, New York. I am still experimenting with different stringing styles (there are 14 stings, after all) and will post a video to example its sound when the time comes. The instrument will be featured in the yet to be released Bang Klang: After the Lighthouse & The Plum Gut Archive.

Two Panjorangos

2020-2021

Steam bent Walnut, Ash, Oak, Cherry, Purple Heart, Maple, Machined Aluminum, Titanium pans, Hardware

One for me, one for my cousin Serena, who’s father gave me my first guitar. The Panjorangos are designed to the scale of Peruvian Ronrocos. I started building them during the pandemic in my old Brooklyn home studio and finished them during a Spring residency at Art Farm in Grand Island, Nebraska. The instrument will be featured in yet to be released Bang Klang: The Plum Gut Archive.

The Panjo

2016 - 2017

Steam bent Walnut, Bloodwood, and Oak, Machined aluminum, Titanium pan, hardware

I built the Panjo during my last two Chicago years in between the artist space I co-founded called Fat City and the restoration lighting company, Archistoric Products, where I was employed. The panjo is designed to camp, play, and cook with. I take it practically everywhere I travel and hike. It’s been through a lot, and still has the finest sound. The Panjo is featured heavily in all Bang Klang performances and recordings. Including Villa Oxford, below.

Steel Bowl Mandolin

2015

Walnut, Cherry, Maple, Spruce, pressure inflated Steel, Abalone, hardware

Steel Bowl Mandolin was made between the metal shop of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Specimen Products and the Chicago School of Guitar Making, where I was employed at the time. I gave this instrument to Ian Schneller, the owner of Specimen, and never documented it’s sound. To be honest, I don’t remember its sound to be anything remarkable. More of a sculpture this one.

12 String Parlor Guitar

2013-2014

Walnut, Spruce, Hardware

My first and only full acoustic guitar build. Built during my three year employment at Specimen Products and the Chicago School of Guitar Making. I play it often.

Self Portrait

2012

Found school desk, Strings, Hardware

My first sculpture from undergrad at the School of the Art Institute. A playable Zither.