E.E. Vonna-Michell / Lawrence Upton

About

In 1978, E.E. Vonna-Michell and Lawrence Upton emerged from the United States' experimental soundscape, their ephemeral existence captured across eight cassettes on the niche Balsam Flex label. Their self-titled moniker signifies a collaborative alchemy between Erika Elder and Matt Valentine, weaving a tapestry of tape collage, field recordings, and abstract soundscapes. Each release, a sculptural whisper in magnetic tape, defies conventional form — Untitled + Untitled No.1, Course / Completion No.8, and the inaugural Burnum Bush - Hums & Clicks, the latter documenting their initial performance with a raw intimacy. Their oeuvre, a liminal exploration of process-driven sound, eschews mainstream sensibilities, inviting listeners to engage with an interdisciplinary approach to auditory art. The absence of titles in many works speaks to a philosophy of sound as presence rather than narrative, where the act of listening becomes a fractal journey through uncharted auditory territories. Balsam Flex's steadfast support of their sonic experiments underscores a niche network dedicated to the fringes of musical exploration.