INTERVIEW WITH SUSIE IBARRA

Percussionist/Composer Susie Ibarra comes to Roulette on Friday, December 11 for a rare evening of new solos and compositions featured on her solo cd, Drum Sketches on Innova Records. Drum Sketches are mixed with folkloric and contemporary percussive sounds and field recordings which “translate her interpretations of Filipino ambiance” in non traditional ways. “Ibarra’s interpretation of the Philippines’ aural landscape is brimming with textural nuances and captivating idiosyncrasies”.ROULETTE: Tell us as about the work you’ll be doing at Roulette.
SUSIE IBARRA: Drum Sketches is a series of solo pieces for drums, gongs and percussion and field recordings.  They are sketches blending the line between abstract sound, melodic rhythms and nostalgic travels.  From fluvial gong parades to a heart beat in the womb, and peepers singing in a pond, the drums travel through each of these environments.  I’ll be performing music I recorded on Drum Sketches as well as two new sketches.

R: Are there working artists today with whose work you identify, or rather, who do you consider to be your peers?
SI: I think I may have to answer this as two questions and two answers.
There are many artists that inspire me and whom I identify with like Pauline Oliveros, John Zorn, Yusef Komunyakaa, Makoto Fujimura, Roberto J Rodriguez, Sylvie Courvoisier, Ikue Mori, Tania Leon, Kathleen Supove, Jennifer Choi, Juan Sanchez, Anne Bourne, Gregory Beyer, Milford Graves, George Lewis, Miya Masaoka, Wadada Leo Smith,  John Lindberg, Dave Douglas,Mark Dresser, Bridget Kibbey, Craig Taborn, Derek Bermel, to name a few.

R: What are some defining characteristics of the musical scene you would fit yourself into? What elements of your scene differentiate it from what has come before, or what is happening now?
SI: The continuous evolvement of a need to investigate unknown coupled with reinterpretations and omages of ancient traditions are some characteristics in experimental music that I gravitate to. Its interesting to see how social cultures and environments are reflected.

R: What was the last music you listened to?
SI: Naseer Shama, lute

R: Chocolate, Vanilla or Rocky Road?
SI: Chocolate

R:  Do you consider yourself more a composer or a performer?
SI: A mix of both composer/improviser/performer.  I was first a performer, then a composer and performer.

R: Is there an event or experience that led you to start in experimental media?
SI: Sun Ra 1988 NYC

R: Who do you see as instrumental in your development as an artist?
SI: The encouragement of my mother, my husband, loved ones, and many artists Ive been fortunate to work with in music and interdisciplinary formats