A solo act based in rural Louisiana, Skies Speak experimentally crafts sound into song using samples, crisp analog synths, and washed out tones. Over the years his sound has evolved into an ambient & expressive style, turning his focus ever more toward how sound can evoke thoughts, feelings, & moods.
Dark Matter / Light Waves
Dark Matter + Light Waves was an immersive musical event focused on experimentation & improvisation performed among visual projections and lighting installations. The event consisted of two one hour sets, each featuring 4 different musicians. Each set had its own focus and feeling. The first set 'Dark Matter,' themed on darker moods and emotions, while the second set, 'Light Waves', had its focus on the brighter emotions and feelings we all experience.
Participating Musicians
Zach Rhea (Percussion) - Dickie Landry (Saxophone) - Joseph Perillo of Shrugs (Guitar) - Chad Viator (Mastering/Guitar) - Ashana Sophia (Cello) - Michael Doucet of Beausoliel (Fiddle/Violin)
The project was made possible by the ArtSpark Grant of 2019 through the Acadiana Center for the Arts, and the Lafayette Economic Development Authority.
Photos / Video by Judah Grayson
Farmhand Original Soundtrack
An experimental album inspired by Rob Guillory’s hit comic FARMHAND. Moody, atmospheric and haunting, and totally FREE to listen.
"When Rob asked me to create a soundtrack for the first arc of Farmhand I said ‘YES!’ My musical style has slowly turned toward a more expressive and ambient approach, and this project literally came at the perfect time,” Vidrine explains. "Without any guiding rules other than to be inspired by the first five issues of Farmhand, I was free to explore lots of sound combinations and dive deep into sound design. If you listen closely, you can hear everything from creaking doors to distorted and delayed samples of a cat's meow. This is my favorite album I've created thus far in my career and I couldn't be more happy with the way it turned out.”
Testament (Instrumentals)
Instrumental versions of some of my favorite tracks from my first album, ‘Testament.’
At War With The World
'At War With The World' is Skies Speak's official sophomore album. Immersed in sections washed out ambience that evolve into heavy hitting electro- industrial soundscapes; it engages with systems and idealogies we often take for granted.
I Promise You Were Never Alone...
I created this 4-part ambient piece to perform before a discussion about loneliness. The topic -- 'The End of Loneliness" --was put on by Faith Forum, a group from Lafayette, LA whose talks encourage thoughtful conversation about life's biggest questions. All sounds, besides the piano, were created using analog synthesizers and field recordings from a local library, which were then programmed and sequenced using Native Instruments Maschine software and hardware.
About the artwork
Hannah Gumbo is a multi-media artist currently working from her cozy studio in downtown Eunice. She can usually be found working on a variety of projects at once, hoarding garage sale finds she hopes to someday re-purpose, doing some serious procrastinating on Pinterest and making art with whatever she can get her hands on.
Artist statement
My husband and I began sharing a studio together into 2014. As he began expressing his thoughts through music, I was in the other room experimenting with pastels, charcoal, and acrylics. Working alongside one another in this space, I have listened as ideas were given voice and sound blossomed into melody. Taking it all in, the air was filled with inspiration that trickled down into my paintbrush. These six pieces are a representation of the songs created. They are a testament to the journey, a battle scar, an embracing of heartache, an acceptance of circumstance, a sliver of gold, a desire for depth, a resolve to hold firm, an outer reality of inner vision.
See what she’s working on next (Instagram) @notallthatglittersisgumbo