Wednesday, April 30th at 8pm, join ISSUE Project Room in celebrating the release of The Quiet Sun, a highly anticipated new LP by Sarah Hennies & Tristan Kasten-Krause. Originally presented as a short duet between Hennies & Kasten-Krause as part of ISSUE's 20th Anniversary activities in 2023, the duo have since expanded their collaboration. Set for official release this Spring, the album reflects the artists’ deep ties to the organization and the broader community.
Experimental music writer Vanessa Ague, creator of The Road to Sound blog, describes the album as an exploration of sonic observation, where “timbres across percussion and string instruments gradually meld into one; pitches gently float into consonance after bristling in dissonance.” She continues, “With The Quiet Sun, their debut duo album, the two musicians present two pieces that survey their nuanced approach to sound as it grows over time. The album, recorded at ISSUE Project Room, presents two works that each show a different lens into the large-scale forms they have developed together.”
Each side of the album highlights the subtle, intricate movements of the duo’s long-form compositions. The A-side, “Axo,” unfolds from a delicate interplay of high-pitched tones, held taut and shimmering, gradually giving way to the bold resonance of gongs and a deep, steady pulse. The B-side, “Axonic,” takes on a darker, more ominous character—sharp scrapes, distant vibrations, and cutting distortions weave a sonic landscape shrouded in mystery, evoking the dim-lit corners of the room where it was recorded.
Though both compositions share thematic and technical elements, they reveal the vast possibilities inherent in the quietness of perception. Sounds blend seamlessly, creating an immersive listening experience that emphasizes the beauty of close attention and transformation over time. As Ague reflects, “Hennies and Kasten-Krause’s music reminds us that over time, anything can and will change—and there is beauty held in the patience of watching it unfold.”
ISSUE Members receive 50% off tickets for The Quiet Sun LP Release using their unique code at checkout, a discount to purchase the album at the event, and enjoy exclusive access to limited-capacity events.