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{{short description|American musician}}
{{short description|American musician}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Kelly Moran
| name = Kelly Moran
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|2|17|df=y}}
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_place = [[Port Washington, New York]], U.S.
⚫
| birth_name =
| alias =
| origin = [[New York City]], U.S.
⚫
| instrument =
⚫
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|2|17|df=y}}
⚫
| genre = {{hlist|Classical|[[electronic music|electronic]]|[[jazz]]|[[dream pop]]|[[black metal]]}}
| birth_place =
| origin = [[New York (state)|New York]], United States
| occupation = Musician, composer
| instrument =
| years_active =
⚫
| label = [[Warp Records|Warp]]
⚫
| genre = {{hlist|[[Classical music|Classical]]|[[electronic music|electronic]]|[[jazz]]|[[dream pop]]|[[black metal]]}}
⚫
| associated_acts =
|school=[[University of Michigan]]
⚫
| website = {{URL|http://kellymoran.co}}
| occupation = Musician, composer
| years_active =
⚫
| label = [[Warp Records|Warp]]
⚫
| associated_acts =
⚫
| website = {{URL|http://kellymoran.co}}
}}
}}


'''Kelly Moran''' is a composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in [[Brooklyn|Brooklyn, New York]], United States. Her music spans [[Classical music|classical]], [[Electronic music|electronic]], [[Minimalism (music)|minimalist]], [[jazz]], [[Impressionist Music|impressionist]], and [[Metal music|metal]] genres. In many of her compositions, Moran utilizes electronic musical techniques in combination with the John Cage-pioneered technique of the [[prepared piano]]. Moran signed with [[Warp (record label)|Warp Records]] in September 2018.
'''Kelly Moran''' (born February 17, 1988) is an American composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Brooklyn. Her music spans classical, [[Electronic music|electronic]], [[Minimalism (music)|minimalist]], [[jazz]], [[Impressionist Music|impressionist]], and [[Heavy metal music|metal]] genres. In many of her compositions, Moran utilizes electronic musical techniques in combination with the [[John Cage]]-pioneered technique of the [[prepared piano]]. Moran signed with [[Warp Records]] in September 2018.


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Moran grew up in [[Port Washington, New York]] and started taking piano lessons when she was six years old.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2017/08/23/kelly-moran-fact-rated/|title=Brooklyn experimenter Kelly Moran is pushing prepared piano to exciting new frontiers|last=Goldner|first=Sam|date=August 23, 2017|website=Fact Mag}}</ref> She also learned how to play string and electric bass, clarinet, oboe, and guitar.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://ninecircles.co/2016/12/21/profile-kelly-moran/|title=Profile: Kelly Moran|date=December 21, 2016|website=Nine Circles}}</ref> At fifteen years old, she began experimenting with electronic music software.
Moran grew up in [[Port Washington, New York]] and started taking piano lessons when she was six years old.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2017/08/23/kelly-moran-fact-rated/|title=Brooklyn experimenter Kelly Moran is pushing prepared piano to exciting new frontiers|last=Goldner|first=Sam|date=August 23, 2017|website=Fact Mag}}</ref> She also learned how to play string and electric bass, clarinet, oboe, and guitar.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://ninecircles.co/2016/12/21/profile-kelly-moran/|title=Profile: Kelly Moran|date=December 21, 2016|website=Nine Circles}}</ref> At age fifteen, she began experimenting with electronic [[music software]].


Moran later earned her degree in Performing Arts Technology from the [[University of Michigan|University of Michigan-Ann Arbor]], where she studied piano performance, sound engineering, and composition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://music.arts.uci.edu/icit/kelly-moran/|title=Kelly Moran ICIT|website=University of California, Irvine Graduate School of Music}}</ref> Moran pursued her MFA at the [[University of California, Irvine]], where she explored the genres of [[Minimalism (music)|minimalism]] and [[Ambient music|post-minimalism]]. While there, she composed experimental piano pieces primarily to accompany dance performances.<ref name=":1" />
Moran later earned her degree in Performing Arts Technology from the [[University of Michigan|University of Michigan-Ann Arbor]], where she studied piano performance, sound engineering, and composition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://music.arts.uci.edu/icit/kelly-moran/|title=Kelly Moran ICIT|website=University of California, Irvine Graduate School of Music}}</ref> Moran pursued her MFA at the [[University of California, Irvine]], where she explored the genres of [[Minimalism (music)|minimalism]] and [[Ambient music|post-minimalism]]. While there, she composed experimental piano pieces primarily to accompany dance performances.<ref name=":1" />


==Career==
==Career==
When Moran returned to New York after her graduate program, she played bass guitar for [[No wave|no-wave]] punk band [[Cellular Chaos]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/03/20/520822645/kelly-moran-plays-limonium-a-propulsive-glass-fragile-piece-for-prepared-piano|title=Kelly Moran Plays 'Limonium,' A Propulsive, Glass-Fragile Piece For Prepared Piano|last=Gotrich|first=Lars|date=March 20, 2017|website=NPR}}</ref> She also played keyboard and synth in experimental rock ensemble Voice Coils.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://nationalsawdust.org/thelog/2017/04/07/album-review-kelly-moran-bloodroot/|title=Album Review: Kelly Moran,bloodroot|last=Smith|first=Steve|date=April 29, 2017|website=The Log Journal}}</ref>
When Moran returned to New York after her graduate program, she played bass guitar for [[No wave|no-wave]] punk band [[Cellular Chaos]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/03/20/520822645/kelly-moran-plays-limonium-a-propulsive-glass-fragile-piece-for-prepared-piano|title=Kelly Moran Plays 'Limonium,' A Propulsive, Glass-Fragile Piece For Prepared Piano|last=Gotrich|first=Lars|date=March 20, 2017|website=NPR}}</ref> She also played keyboard and synth in experimental rock ensemble Voice Coils along [[Mitski]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://nationalsawdust.org/thelog/2017/04/07/album-review-kelly-moran-bloodroot/|title=Album Review: Kelly Moran,bloodroot|last=Smith|first=Steve|date=April 29, 2017|website=The Log Journal}}</ref>


Moran self-released her first album, ''Optimist,'' in 2016 and re-released on vinyl and CD on Primal Architecture Records and Obsolete Units respectively.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tinymixtapes.com/news/kelly-moran-re-issues-her-minimalist-2016-album-optimist|title=Prepared piano priestess Kelly Moran to re-issue her minimalist 2016 album Optimist|last=Goldner|first=Sam|date=June 13, 2018|website=Tiny Mixtapes}}</ref>
Moran self-released her first album, ''Optimist,'' in 2016 and re-released on vinyl and CD on Primal Architecture Records and Obsolete Units respectively.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tinymixtapes.com/news/kelly-moran-re-issues-her-minimalist-2016-album-optimist|title=Prepared piano priestess Kelly Moran to re-issue her minimalist 2016 album Optimist|last=Goldner|first=Sam|date=June 13, 2018|website=Tiny Mixtapes}}</ref>


Moran released her next album, ''Bloodroot,'' on Telegraph Harp in 2017. In it, she combines her classical piano training with her electronic production techniques and her passion for [[John Cage]]-style [[prepared piano]].<ref name=":1" /> The album has been described as a melding of "electroacoustic deconstruction and classical, harmonious minimalism". ''Bloodroot'' was mastered by [[Colin Marston]] of metal bands [[Krallice]] and [[Gorguts]].<ref name=":1" /> The New York Times named ''Bloodroot'' on its list of "The 25 Best Classical Music Recordings of 2017".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/13/arts/music/best-classical-music-recordings-2017.html|title=The 25 Best Classical Music Recordings of 2017|last=Colter Walls|first=Seth|date=December 14, 2017|website=The New York Times}}</ref> Rolling Stone named it one of its 20 best avant albums of 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/20-best-avant-albums-of-2017-196147/|title=20 Best Avant Albums of 2017|last=Weingarten|first=Christopher|date=January 2, 2018|website=Rolling Stone}}</ref> [[Bandcamp]] named it among its top 100 albums of 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/2017/12/11/the-best-bandcamp-albums-of-2017-100-81/|title=The Best Albums of 2017: #100 – 81|last=Masters|first=Marc|date=December 11, 2017|website=Bandcamp}}</ref> And Uproxx included it on its list of the best electronic and experimental records of 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/best-electronic-experimental-records-2017-list-ranked/|title=All The Best Electronic And Experimental Records Of 2017, Ranked|last=Rancic|first=Michael|date=December 8, 2017|website=Uproxx}}</ref>
Moran released her next album, ''[[Bloodroot (album)|Bloodroot]]'', on Telegraph Harp in 2017. In it, she combines her classical piano training with her electronic production techniques and her passion for [[John Cage]]-style [[prepared piano]].<ref name=":1" /> The album has been described as a melding of "electroacoustic deconstruction and classical, harmonious minimalism". ''Bloodroot'' was mastered by [[Colin Marston]] of metal bands [[Krallice]] and [[Gorguts]].<ref name=":1" /> ''[[The New York Times]]'' named ''Bloodroot'' on its list of "The 25 Best Classical Music Recordings of 2017".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/13/arts/music/best-classical-music-recordings-2017.html|title=The 25 Best Classical Music Recordings of 2017|last=Colter Walls|first=Seth|date=December 14, 2017|website=The New York Times}}</ref> Rolling Stone named it one of its 20 best avant albums of 2017.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/20-best-avant-albums-of-2017-196147/|title=20 Best Avant Albums of 2017|last=Weingarten|first=Christopher|date=January 2, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> [[Bandcamp]] named it among its top 100 albums of 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/2017/12/11/the-best-bandcamp-albums-of-2017-100-81/|title=The Best Albums of 2017: #100 – 81|last=Masters|first=Marc|date=December 11, 2017|website=Bandcamp}}</ref> [[Uproxx]] included it on its list of the best electronic and experimental records of 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/best-electronic-experimental-records-2017-list-ranked/|title=All The Best Electronic And Experimental Records Of 2017, Ranked|last=Rancic|first=Michael|date=December 8, 2017|website=Uproxx}}</ref>


Moran signed with Warp Records in September 2018 to release her album ''Ultraviolet'',<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2018/09/06/kelly-moran-ultraviolet-warp/|title=Kelly Moran signs to Warp for new album, Ultraviolet|last=Wilson|first=Scott|date=September 6, 2018|website=Fact Mag}}</ref> which has been recognized by the New York Times,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/09/arts/music/kane-brown-ariana-grande-diplomats-romeo-santos.html|title=The Playlist: Kane Brown Confronts Gun Violence, and 12 More New Songs|last=Pareles|first=John|date=November 9, 2018|website=The New York Times}}</ref> Rolling Stone,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kelly-moran-ultraviolet-interview-748775/|title=Kelly Moran’s Trippy, Beautiful Piano Music|last=Weingarten|first=Christopher|date=November 2, 2018|website=Rolling Stone}}</ref> and [[Vice (magazine)|Vice]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/ev3g4a/kelly-moran-ultraviolet-album-interview|title=Get Lost in Kelly Moran's Multi-Dimensional Piano Music|last=Goldner|first=Sam|date=November 2, 2018|website=Noisey}}</ref> among others. ''Ultraviolet'' is more rooted in improvisation than Moran's other meticulously-composed works.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://roulette.org/spotlight-on-kelly-moran/|title=Spotlight on Kelly Moran|last=Karabush|first=Susan|date=September 6, 2018|website=Roulette}}</ref> Until ''Ultraviolet'', which was released in November 2018, Moran had been the sole engineer and producer of her records. In an interview, Moran noted that because the production world is male-dominated, she preferred establishing herself as an independent artist before bringing others in who may get credit for her work.<ref name=":3" /> Moran has referred to herself as "a very outspoken feminist" and believes "the act of a woman making music is a kind of political act in itself since we live in a world where women are expected to be quiet and are often silenced for speaking out."<ref name=":4" /> She believes performance and composition are ways for women to reclaim space and assert their existence.<ref name=":4" />
Moran signed with [[Warp Records]] in September 2018 to release her album ''[[Ultraviolet (Kelly Moran album)|Ultraviolet]]'',<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2018/09/06/kelly-moran-ultraviolet-warp/|title=Kelly Moran signs to Warp for new album, Ultraviolet|last=Wilson|first=Scott|date=September 6, 2018|website=Fact Mag}}</ref> which has been recognized by the ''New York Times'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/09/arts/music/kane-brown-ariana-grande-diplomats-romeo-santos.html|title=The Playlist: Kane Brown Confronts Gun Violence, and 12 More New Songs|last=Pareles|first=John|date=November 9, 2018|website=The New York Times}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'',<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kelly-moran-ultraviolet-interview-748775/|title=Kelly Moran's Trippy, Beautiful Piano Music|last=Weingarten|first=Christopher|date=November 2, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> and ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/ev3g4a/kelly-moran-ultraviolet-album-interview|title=Get Lost in Kelly Moran's Multi-Dimensional Piano Music|last=Goldner|first=Sam|date=November 2, 2018|website=Noisey}}</ref> among others. ''Ultraviolet'' is more rooted in improvisation than Moran's other meticulously-composed works.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://roulette.org/spotlight-on-kelly-moran/|title=Spotlight on Kelly Moran|last=Karabush|first=Susan|date=September 6, 2018|website=Roulette}}</ref> Until ''Ultraviolet'', which was released in November 2018, Moran had been the sole engineer and producer of her records. In an interview, Moran noted that because the production world is male-dominated, she preferred establishing herself as an independent artist before bringing others in who may get credit for her work.<ref name=":3" /> Moran has referred to herself as "a very outspoken feminist" and believes "the act of a woman making music is a kind of political act in itself since we live in a world where women are expected to be quiet and are often silenced for speaking out."<ref name=":4" /> She believes performance and composition are ways for women to reclaim space and assert their existence.<ref name=":4" />


In addition to her solo work, Moran has composed for [[Margaret Leng Tan]], a [[classical music]] artist known for her work as a professional toy pianist and a John Cage collaborator. Moran is also a keyboardist in [[Oneohtrix Point Never]]'s touring ensemble for his 2018 album ''[[Age Of]].''<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2018/06/06/oneohtrix-point-never-age-of-myriad-kelsey-lu-anohni-interview|title=Oneohtrix Point Never’s fascinating, ambitious new universe|last=Fitzmaurice|first=Larry|date=September 6, 2018|website=Fader}}</ref>
In addition to her solo work, Moran has composed for [[Margaret Leng Tan]], a [[classical music]] artist known for her work as a professional [[toy pianist]] and a John Cage collaborator. Moran is also a keyboardist in [[Oneohtrix Point Never]]'s touring ensemble for his 2018 album ''[[Age Of]].''<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2018/06/06/oneohtrix-point-never-age-of-myriad-kelsey-lu-anohni-interview|title=Oneohtrix Point Never's fascinating, ambitious new universe|last=Fitzmaurice|first=Larry|date=September 6, 2018|website=Fader}}</ref>


==Style==
==Style==
[[File:Prepared_piano_board_Neumann.jpg|thumb|Example of a prepared piano.]]
[[File:Prepared_piano_board_Neumann.jpg|thumb|Example of a prepared piano.]]
Moran utilizes the prepared piano format in her compositions, which involves altering a piano by placing objects on or between its strings. The style was pioneered by musicians John Cage and [[Henry Cowell]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> Moran's style is also compared to Erik Satie.<ref name=":5" /> Moran creates unique [[timbre]]s through this method, often placing items like screws within the piano and playing the strings with her fingers or an [[EBow]].<ref name=":1" /> Moran then records each sound she produces through these methods and feeds them into [[MIDI]] software and a sampling keyboard, thus allowing her to electronically manipulate the recordings and play them back as complex, new sounds. This technique creates "an electro-acoustic hybrid instrument" uniquely her own.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23174-bloodroot/|title=Kelly Moran: Bloodroot|last=Colter Walls|first=Seth|date=April 20, 2017|website=Pitchfork}}</ref>
Moran utilizes the prepared-piano format in her compositions, which involves altering a piano by placing objects on or between its strings. The style was pioneered by musicians John Cage and [[Henry Cowell]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> Moran's style is also compared to [[Erik Satie]].<ref name=":5" /> Moran creates unique [[timbre]]s through this method, often placing items like screws within the piano and playing the strings with her fingers or an [[EBow]].<ref name=":1" /> Moran then records each sound she produces through these methods and feeds them into [[MIDI]] software and a sampling keyboard, thus allowing her to electronically manipulate the recordings and play them back as complex, new sounds. This technique creates "an electro-acoustic hybrid instrument" uniquely her own.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23174-bloodroot/|title=Kelly Moran: Bloodroot|last=Colter Walls|first=Seth|date=April 20, 2017|website=Pitchfork}}</ref>


In addition to John Cage, Moran cites [[Tori Amos]] and [[Kayo Dot]] as artistic influences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://clrvynt.com/four-records-kelly-moran/|title=How Tori Amos inspired Kelly Moran to follow her piano dreams|last=Cohen|first=Brad|date=June 20, 2017|website=CLRVYNT}}</ref>
In addition to Cage, Moran cites [[Tori Amos]] and [[Kayo Dot]] as artistic influences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://clrvynt.com/four-records-kelly-moran/|title=How Tori Amos inspired Kelly Moran to follow her piano dreams|last=Cohen|first=Brad|date=June 20, 2017|website=CLRVYNT}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
'''Albums'''
'''Albums'''
*''Microcosms'' (2010)
*''Movement'' (2011)
*''One on One'' (2012)
*''Optimist'' (2016)
*''Optimist'' (2016)
*''Bloodroot'' (2017)
*''[[Bloodroot (album)|Bloodroot]]'' (2017)
*''[[Ultraviolet (Kelly Moran album)|Ultraviolet]]'' (2018)
*''[[Ultraviolet (Kelly Moran album)|Ultraviolet]]'' (2018)
*''Moves in the Field'' (2024)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kelly-moran-announces-new-album-moves-in-the-field-shares-new-song-listen/|title=Kelly Moran Announces New Album ''Moves in the Field'', Shares New Song: Listen|last=Corcoran|first=Nina|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=February 20, 2024|access-date=February 20, 2024}}</ref>
⚫
*''Water music (2019)


'''EPs'''
'''EPs'''
*''Origin EP<!-- EP actually appears to be part of the title -->'' (2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kelly-moran-announces-new-ep-shares-new-song-night-music-listen/|title=Kelly Moran Announces New EP, Shares New Song 'Night Music': Listen|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|last=Bloom|first=Madison|date=April 24, 2019|accessdate=May 21, 2019}}</ref>
*''Origin EP<!-- EP actually appears to be part of the title -->'' (2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kelly-moran-announces-new-ep-shares-new-song-night-music-listen/|title=Kelly Moran Announces New EP, Shares New Song 'Night Music': Listen|website=Pitchfork|last=Bloom|first=Madison|date=April 24, 2019|accessdate=May 21, 2019}}</ref>
⚫
*''WXAXRXP Session'' (2019)
*''Chain Reaction at Dusk'' (2020, with [[Prurient]])

'''Singles'''
*"Love Birds, Night Birds, Devil-Birds" (2019)


== References ==
== References ==
Line 59: Line 63:
==External links==
==External links==
*{{official}}
*{{official}}
*[https://warp.net/artists/kelly-moran/ Page from Warp]
*[https://warp.net/us/artists/91437-kelly-moran Page from Warp]


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Moran, Kelly}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Moran, Kelly}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American women pianists]]
[[Category:American women classical composers]]
[[Category:American female classical composers]]
[[Category:American classical composers]]
[[Category:American women in electronic music]]
[[Category:American women in electronic music]]
[[Category:21st-century American pianists]]
[[Category:21st-century American pianists]]
[[Category:21st-century American women musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American women pianists]]
[[Category:21st-century American women writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American women writers]]
[[Category:Warp (record label) artists]]
[[Category:Warp (record label) artists]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance alumni]]
[[Category:University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance alumni]]
[[Category:1988 births]]

Latest revision as of 22:21, 22 June 2024

Kelly Moran
Born (1988-02-17) 17 February 1988 (age 36)
Port Washington, New York, U.S.
OriginNew York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
LabelsWarp
Websitekellymoran.co

Kelly Moran (born February 17, 1988) is an American composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Brooklyn. Her music spans classical, electronic, minimalist, jazz, impressionist, and metal genres. In many of her compositions, Moran utilizes electronic musical techniques in combination with the John Cage-pioneered technique of the prepared piano. Moran signed with Warp Records in September 2018.

Early life and education

[edit]

Moran grew up in Port Washington, New York and started taking piano lessons when she was six years old.[1] She also learned how to play string and electric bass, clarinet, oboe, and guitar.[2] At age fifteen, she began experimenting with electronic music software.

Moran later earned her degree in Performing Arts Technology from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, where she studied piano performance, sound engineering, and composition.[3] Moran pursued her MFA at the University of California, Irvine, where she explored the genres of minimalism and post-minimalism. While there, she composed experimental piano pieces primarily to accompany dance performances.[1]

Career

[edit]

When Moran returned to New York after her graduate program, she played bass guitar for no-wave punk band Cellular Chaos.[4] She also played keyboard and synth in experimental rock ensemble Voice Coils along Mitski.[5]

Moran self-released her first album, Optimist, in 2016 and re-released on vinyl and CD on Primal Architecture Records and Obsolete Units respectively.[6]

Moran released her next album, Bloodroot, on Telegraph Harp in 2017. In it, she combines her classical piano training with her electronic production techniques and her passion for John Cage-style prepared piano.[1] The album has been described as a melding of "electroacoustic deconstruction and classical, harmonious minimalism". Bloodroot was mastered by Colin Marston of metal bands Krallice and Gorguts.[1] The New York Times named Bloodroot on its list of "The 25 Best Classical Music Recordings of 2017".[7] Rolling Stone named it one of its 20 best avant albums of 2017.[8] Bandcamp named it among its top 100 albums of 2017.[9] Uproxx included it on its list of the best electronic and experimental records of 2017.[10]

Moran signed with Warp Records in September 2018 to release her album Ultraviolet,[11] which has been recognized by the New York Times,[12] Rolling Stone,[13] and Vice,[14] among others. Ultraviolet is more rooted in improvisation than Moran's other meticulously-composed works.[15] Until Ultraviolet, which was released in November 2018, Moran had been the sole engineer and producer of her records. In an interview, Moran noted that because the production world is male-dominated, she preferred establishing herself as an independent artist before bringing others in who may get credit for her work.[15] Moran has referred to herself as "a very outspoken feminist" and believes "the act of a woman making music is a kind of political act in itself since we live in a world where women are expected to be quiet and are often silenced for speaking out."[2] She believes performance and composition are ways for women to reclaim space and assert their existence.[2]

In addition to her solo work, Moran has composed for Margaret Leng Tan, a classical music artist known for her work as a professional toy pianist and a John Cage collaborator. Moran is also a keyboardist in Oneohtrix Point Never's touring ensemble for his 2018 album Age Of.[11][16]

Style

[edit]
Example of a prepared piano.

Moran utilizes the prepared-piano format in her compositions, which involves altering a piano by placing objects on or between its strings. The style was pioneered by musicians John Cage and Henry Cowell.[1][11] Moran's style is also compared to Erik Satie.[5] Moran creates unique timbres through this method, often placing items like screws within the piano and playing the strings with her fingers or an EBow.[1] Moran then records each sound she produces through these methods and feeds them into MIDI software and a sampling keyboard, thus allowing her to electronically manipulate the recordings and play them back as complex, new sounds. This technique creates "an electro-acoustic hybrid instrument" uniquely her own.[17]

In addition to Cage, Moran cites Tori Amos and Kayo Dot as artistic influences.[18]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

  • Microcosms (2010)
  • Movement (2011)
  • One on One (2012)
  • Optimist (2016)
  • Bloodroot (2017)
  • Ultraviolet (2018)
  • Moves in the Field (2024)[19]

EPs

  • Origin EP (2019)[20]
  • WXAXRXP Session (2019)
  • Chain Reaction at Dusk (2020, with Prurient)

Singles

  • "Love Birds, Night Birds, Devil-Birds" (2019)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Goldner, Sam (August 23, 2017). "Brooklyn experimenter Kelly Moran is pushing prepared piano to exciting new frontiers". Fact Mag.
  2. ^ a b c "Profile: Kelly Moran". Nine Circles. December 21, 2016.
  3. ^ "Kelly Moran ICIT". University of California, Irvine Graduate School of Music.
  4. ^ Gotrich, Lars (March 20, 2017). "Kelly Moran Plays 'Limonium,' A Propulsive, Glass-Fragile Piece For Prepared Piano". NPR.
  5. ^ a b Smith, Steve (April 29, 2017). "Album Review: Kelly Moran,bloodroot". The Log Journal.
  6. ^ Goldner, Sam (June 13, 2018). "Prepared piano priestess Kelly Moran to re-issue her minimalist 2016 album Optimist". Tiny Mixtapes.
  7. ^ Colter Walls, Seth (December 14, 2017). "The 25 Best Classical Music Recordings of 2017". The New York Times.
  8. ^ Weingarten, Christopher (January 2, 2018). "20 Best Avant Albums of 2017". Rolling Stone.
  9. ^ Masters, Marc (December 11, 2017). "The Best Albums of 2017: #100 – 81". Bandcamp.
  10. ^ Rancic, Michael (December 8, 2017). "All The Best Electronic And Experimental Records Of 2017, Ranked". Uproxx.
  11. ^ a b c Wilson, Scott (September 6, 2018). "Kelly Moran signs to Warp for new album, Ultraviolet". Fact Mag.
  12. ^ Pareles, John (November 9, 2018). "The Playlist: Kane Brown Confronts Gun Violence, and 12 More New Songs". The New York Times.
  13. ^ Weingarten, Christopher (November 2, 2018). "Kelly Moran's Trippy, Beautiful Piano Music". Rolling Stone.
  14. ^ Goldner, Sam (November 2, 2018). "Get Lost in Kelly Moran's Multi-Dimensional Piano Music". Noisey.
  15. ^ a b Karabush, Susan (September 6, 2018). "Spotlight on Kelly Moran". Roulette.
  16. ^ Fitzmaurice, Larry (September 6, 2018). "Oneohtrix Point Never's fascinating, ambitious new universe". Fader.
  17. ^ Colter Walls, Seth (April 20, 2017). "Kelly Moran: Bloodroot". Pitchfork.
  18. ^ Cohen, Brad (June 20, 2017). "How Tori Amos inspired Kelly Moran to follow her piano dreams". CLRVYNT.
  19. ^ Corcoran, Nina (February 20, 2024). "Kelly Moran Announces New Album Moves in the Field, Shares New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  20. ^ Bloom, Madison (April 24, 2019). "Kelly Moran Announces New EP, Shares New Song 'Night Music': Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
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