The work of award-winning African American science fiction author Octavia E. Butler becomes increasingly prophetic as we move through the challenges of the new century. Her novels Parable of the Sower (1993) and Parable of the Talents (1996) use fiction to illuminate a horrific unraveling of 21st-century America into a despotic chaos where its once-middle-class citizens struggle to survive in an incredibly violent and fragmented reality, void of normalcy, family, and resources. In the 1990s, Butler's Parables warned readers about a possible disintegration of American culture and infrastructure, among the many risks of tyrannical rule. Within Butler's storyline, the character Lauren Oya Olamina, a preacher's daughter of African heritage, helps to rebuild her community through offering Earthseed, an egalitarian philosophy and spiritual practice which honors inquiry, independent thinking, and realistic acceptance of constant change.
Inspired by and in tribute to Octavia E. Butler, composers Nicole M. Mitchell and Lisa E. Harris have created their own sonic EarthSeed, also in response to the real chaos and horrific nature of our times. EarthSeed is the third of Mitchell's projects inspired by the literature of Butler and marks a first compositional collaboration between Harris and Mitchell. Mitchell's two previous recorded Butler-inspired works are Xenogenesis Suite (Firehouse 12) and Intergalactic Beings (FPE). EarthSeed was commissioned by the Art Institute of Chicago and premiered on June 22, 2017. EarthSeed was presented in association with the exhibition of Cauleen Smith: Human_3.0 Reading List.
Notes from the composers:
I had been crafting my opera project Lilith for four years before a friend introduced me to the writings of Octavia E. Butler. I was moved on a very deep level as I resonated with Butler, whose stories I ingested and trusted. Another four years later I met Nicole Mitchell at a residency for composers. We decided to share our music with each other, and when I heard her Xenogenesis recordings, it immediately put me in the same space as my Lilith recordings. Sonically in tune before even knowing each other, we discovered a mutual spiritual and psychic connection to the works of Octavia Butler. I am honored to compose with a master like Nicole Mitchell and to explore our process of journeying, questioning, ase, and community healing centered around a legacy as rich as Butler's Earthseed spiritual doctrine.
--Lisa E. Harris
Lisa E. Harris and I met at the New Quorum Composers Residency in New Orleans, and immediately discovered an amazing synergy, with overlaps in aesthetics and artistic purpose. She is an incredible filmmaker, performance artist, vocalist, and composer with a special combination of fearlessness and exceptional creativity. When she shared her Lilith project with me, it was a revelatory moment - a deep and instant knowing and connection. We immediately decided that for our next Butler-inspired project, we would work together as a team. We are both honored to have had the opportunity, through the support of the Art Institute of Chicago, to premiere EarthSeed for the Chicago community, which is also the home of Black Earth Ensemble. We want to thank Gianna Cachere, the director of New Quorum, for her vision of bringing us together for the residency in New Orleans, along with our other fellow resident composers of that illuminating experience: Wadada Leo Smith and Damon Locks.
--Nicole M. Mitchell
credits
releases June 22, 2020
Nicole Mitchell’s Black Earth Ensemble
Lisa E. Harris, vocals / theremin / electronics / composition
Nicole M. Mitchell, flute / electronics / composition
Julian Otis, vocals
Zara Zaharieva, violin
Ben LaMar Gay, trumpet / electronics
Tomeka Reid, cello
Avreeayl Ra, percussion
All music, lyrics and text composed and arranged by Nicole Mitchell & Lisa E. Harris. All selections published by Wheatgoddess Creations (ASCAP) / Studio Enertia Media (BMI).
Recorded live in concert at Fullerton Hall, Art Institute of Chicago, June 22, 2017
Recording engineer: Caleb Willitz
Mastering: Bob Weston, Chicago Mastering Service
Cover art: "Patternmaster", from SEED (The Book of Eve), Krista Franklin, Mixed media on paper, 2006
Design: Al Brandtner
We would like to thank the Creator, our ancestors and families, wonderful musicians and communities that have contributed to this project, Octavia Butler, Gianna Chachere and the New Quorum, Wadada Leo Smith and Damon Locks, Krista Franklin, Cauleen Smith, and Matt Pakulski of FPE Records. Thank you to the Art Institute of Chicago for commissioning and presenting this original composition. We would also like to thank the cities of Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh. Thank you all for listening.
Produced by Nicole M. Mitchell and Lisa E. Harris
Executive producer: Matt Pakulski for FPE Records
This is FPE Records #27, 2020