Architecting Atmosphere & the Luminous Darkness of Sound: A Conversation with Matthijs Kouw

Close Your Eyes and Listen: Karo Glazer & Michal Rosicki of RED Producers

What happens when music stops being content and becomes an experience? In this first installment of a two-part conversation, Dr. Scott Catey welcomes vocalist, composer, and producer Karo Glazer alongside immersive audio producer Michał Rosa-Rosicki of RED Producers. Their story begins decades ago in a recording studio, where a young singer-songwriter and an aspiring sound engineer first crossed paths. Years later, after separate journeys through jazz, composition, production, architecture, and international performance, they reunited to create RED Producers—a creative partnership built on the belief that music is fundamentally human and inherently collaborative. The conversation traces the origins of that partnership, including the creation of “Hand in Hand,” an international peace project launched in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. From there, Karo and Michał explore immersive audio, not merely as a technology, but as a new language for musical expression—one that treats space, movement, and presence as compositional tools. Along the way, they challenge assumptions about streaming culture, attention, artistic identity, and the future of listening itself. At the heart of the discussion is a deceptively simple invitation: Close your eyes and listen. In This Episode “You can put twenty microphones around me. It’s still one voice. My voice.” - Karo Glazer Listeners can expect a deep dive into Karo’s current artistic universe — including the upcoming Abbey Road Concert live video session recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios Studio 2. We’ll also talk about “Into The Voice” — an immersive voice experience and live 360 concept exploring the human voice as instrument, space and emotional architecture through immersive audio and performance. And of course, listeners will get an exclusive look into music from the upcoming album #LadyDynamite and “Black Sun” single. • The origins of RED Producers • The Artists for Peace project and the creation of “Hand in Hand” • Why music is fundamentally collaborative • Architecture, composition, and immersive sound • How Dolby Atmos changes the creative process • Listening as participation rather than consumption • The limits of algorithmic music culture • Why surprise still matters in art • Abbey Road Studios and the next chapter of their work • Building an international immersive-audio community • Music, mindfulness, and presence • Human creativity in the age of AI Memorable Moments • “I didn't choose music. I was chosen by music.” • “Music is human.” • “Close your eyes and listen.” • “I don’t care who’s singing. I care about music.” About the Guests Karo Glazer is a vocalist, composer, producer, and immersive-audio innovator whose work spans jazz, contemporary composition, visual storytelling, and emerging audio technologies. Her projects have brought together artists from across Europe and the United States while exploring new possibilities for musical experience. Michal Rosa-Rosicki is a producer, sound engineer, and immersive-audio specialist whose work focuses on the intersection of technology, composition, and live performance. Together they co-founded RED Producers, a creative production company dedicated to building new forms of musical engagement. Karo Glazer & Michal Rosicki are co-founders of RED Producers, an international production hub. Independent - with infrastructure already in place. Expanded Artist Bio Karo Glazer is a powerhouse voice and immersive vocal artist, composing sonic structure through sound, space and presence. Renowned for her four-octave voice and fearless artistic vision, Karo Glazer creates music that feels both explosive and deeply refined: rebellious, sensual and emotionally charged. Moving fluidly between alternative, jazz, soul and psychedelia, she shapes her own distinctive concept: Immersive Voice. Her transatlantic sound draws from both European and American musical traditions, fusing intricate orchestration, hypnotic rhythm, layered vocal expression and cinematic scope. What emerges is an intense sonic journey through passion, defiance, vulnerability and strength. On May 24, 2025, she made history as the first Polish artist to perform and record a solo concert at Abbey Road Studio 2. She returned to Abbey Road to record an Immersive Voice Live Session; this time solo, surrounded by microphones, pushing further her concept of voice as space, instrument and environment. Her releases have entered the U.S. market, including a debut on the SubModern Charts and a limited vinyl edition for Record Store Day US. With a catalogue of over 300 original compositions, Glazer’s work reaches far beyond a single release cycle. Her earlier career was rooted in the European market, with releases across both independent and major labels, leading to extensive international touring. Working across jazz, contemporary and cross-genre projects, she built a foundation of scale, precision and long-form musical thinking—developing a catalogue ready for sync, film and live expansion. Today, she returns as an independent artist. Not at the beginning, but with an established body of work and full creative control. Her broader creative output includes large-scale works such as “Illumination” - an immersive ballet directed by Bolshoi dancer Alexey Torgunakov—and the score for the theatre play “Wisława”, inspired by Nobel Prize–winning poet Wisława Szymborska. Her work has been recognized by Tom Waits and members of Coldplay at the International Songwriting Competition. She has collaborated with artists including Mike Stern, Klaus Doldinger, Lars Danielsson and John Taylor and worked with Grammy-winning producers such as Flemming Rasmussen and Martin Walters. “She is not a girl. She is dynamite!” - Mike Stern Connect with Karo Glazer & RED Producers https://www.karoglazer.com/about [https://www.karoglazer.com/about] https://www.youtube.com/@KaroGlazerMusic [https://www.youtube.com/@KaroGlazerMusic] https://www.instagram.com/karoglazer [https://www.instagram.com/karoglazer] https://karoglazer.bandcamp.com/album/black-sun [https://karoglazer.bandcamp.com/album/black-sun] Coming Next Week Part 2 of this conversation explores Abbey Road Studios, women in music production, international collaboration, navigating the modern music industry, and the future of artistic creation in an AI-driven world. Resources Dolby Atmos Official Site - https://professional.dolby.com/music/ [https://professional.dolby.com/music/] ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://www.patreon.com/c/ScottCatey]

Finding Music in the Unexpected: A Conversation with Jeff Tripoli

In this episode of The Sum of All Wisdom, Scott Catey sits down with percussionist, composer, educator, and sonic explorer Jeff Tripoli for a conversation that moves far beyond the drum kit. What happens when a drummer stops thinking like a drummer? Drawing inspiration from artists like Harry Partch, Butch Norton, John Bergamo, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, and countless musical traditions from around the world, Jeff has built a creative practice centered on curiosity, experimentation, and deep listening. His latest album, Natural Habitat, transforms birdsong, footsteps, washing machines, field recordings, hand percussion, and invented instruments into immersive sonic landscapes that blur the line between music and environment. Together, Scott and Jeff explore: * How mentorship has shaped Jeff’s artistic journey * The influence of Harry Partch and invented instruments * Why imperfection often creates the most memorable art * The role of field recordings and environmental sound in composition * Creativity, chance, and “happy accidents” * David Bowie’s cut-up techniques and rhythmic poetry * Touring internationally with Celtic folk-rock band The Town Pants * The future of drumming in an age of social media and AI * Why musicians must remain lifelong students Along the way, Jeff demonstrates several of his handmade percussion inventions, discusses the philosophy behind his “contraption kit,” and shares why he believes the most important lesson for any artist is simple: “Listen and serve the music.” This is a conversation about sound, experimentation, humility, and discovering wisdom in places most of us overlook. About Jeff Tripoli Jeff Tripoli is a drummer, percussionist, educator, composer, and recording artist based in Syracuse, New York. A veteran of international touring with The Town Pants, Jeff’s work spans rock, Celtic music, world percussion, experimental composition, and handcrafted instrument design. His recent solo releases, Perspectives and Natural Habitat, explore the intersection of percussion, found sound, improvisation, and sonic storytelling. Connect with Jeff ·      Website: https://jefftripolidrums.com/home [https://jefftripolidrums.com/home]  ·      YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jefftripolidrums [https://www.youtube.com/@jefftripolidrums]  ·      Bandcamp: https://jefftripoli.bandcamp.com/ [https://jefftripoli.bandcamp.com/]  ·      Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jeff-tripoli/1565681196 [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jeff-tripoli/1565681196]  ·      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jefftripolidrums [https://www.facebook.com/jefftripolidrums]  ·      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefftripolidrums/ [https://www.instagram.com/jefftripolidrums/]    Explore Related Music and Sounds  Links to musicians, bands, books, and more mentioned in the episode: ·      Billy Martin https://www.billymartin.net/ [https://www.billymartin.net/]  ·      Butch Norton https://butchdrums.com/ [https://butchdrums.com/]  ·      Charles Corey https://www.charlescorey.com/ [https://www.charlescorey.com/]  ·      Earl Slick https://earlslick.net/ [https://earlslick.net/]  ·      Glenn Kotche  https://www.glennkotche.com/ [https://www.glennkotche.com/]  ·      Harry Partch https://www.harrypartch.com/ [https://www.harrypartch.com/]  ·      Jeff Moleski | Mole Trax Studios https://rockwellrecordingandsoundstage.com/ [https://rockwellrecordingandsoundstage.com/]  ·      Jim Donovan https://www.youtube.com/jmdbird [https://www.youtube.com/jmdbird]  ·      John Bergamo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bergamo [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bergamo]  ·      Kalani Das https://kalanimusic.com/ [https://kalanimusic.com/]  ·      Medeski, Martin, and Wood https://www.medeskimartinandwood.com/ [https://www.medeskimartinandwood.com/]  ·      Ray McNamara https://raymcnamara.com/ [https://raymcnamara.com/]  ·      Rick Rubin | The Creative Act (Penguin) https://sites.prh.com/thecreativeact [https://sites.prh.com/thecreativeact]  ·      Rusted Root https://www.rustedroot.com/ [https://www.rustedroot.com/]  ·      Ted Gioia | The Honest Brokerhttps://www.honest-broker.com/ [https://www.honest-broker.com/]    Featured Music  “Something I Can’t Explain” from the album Natural Habitat by Jeff Tripoli Used with permission. “Afro Cant” from the album Natural Habitat by Jeff Tripoli Used with permission. “A Stone From Your Heart” from the album Natural Habitat by Jeff Tripoli Used with permission. All music is used with permission. All rights remain with the respective rights holders. About the Show The Sum of All Wisdom: Conversations on Musicians, Makers, and Meaning is a long-form, reflective podcast centered on musicians and music-adjacent professionals whose work creates meaning, community, and cultural impact. The show prioritizes explorations of listening, craft, and lived experience, and discovery of new music.  Written, produced, and hosted by Scott Catey. If this conversation resonated, please consider liking, commenting, following, subscribing, and sharing it—or carrying something from it into your own listening and creative life.  Thanks for turning us on! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://www.patreon.com/c/ScottCatey]

Architecting Atmosphere & the Luminous Darkness of Sound: A Conversation with Matthijs Kouw

“How would you like to spend some time with music that can reconfigure what you think about yourself, about music, and about space and time?”  In this episode of The Sum of All Wisdom, Scott reconnects with Dutch experimental composer and sound artist Matthijs Kouw for a deep conversation about sound, space, philosophy, and the spiritual possibilities of composing, experiencing, and listening to music.  Together, they explore what “experimental music” really means—not as a genre, but as a position: an openness to uncertainty, emergence, and the unknown. Matthijs reflects on the role of indeterminacy in composition, the architecture of sound, and the idea that music can create spaces for listeners to inhabit rather than narratives to consume.  The conversation ranges widely across: * Experimental music as process and experiment  * Drone music, atmosphere, and “dwelling” in sound  * The influence of thinkers like Jacques Derrida, Gilles Deleuze, and Gilbert Simondon  * Time, emergence, and metastability in musical composition  * Negative theology and the limits of language  * Field recordings, contact microphones, and environmental sound  * Why cassettes still matter  * The politics of music distribution and alternatives to Spotify  * Music as communion, meditation, and philosophical inquiry  A central thread throughout the discussion is the idea that music can carry us beyond language—toward experiences that resist direct explanation yet remain deeply human and emotionally real.  Matthijs also discusses several of his recent works, including: * Transversal  * Meta-Stabilities  * Obscurum per Obscurius  * The collaborative project Irradiance with Gagi Petrovic  Memorable Moments “Maybe the orchestra is not a set of instruments, but the entire world.”  “It’s more like creating spaces for people to dwell in.”  “Maybe the soundscape is populated by beautiful birdsong and leaf blowers simultaneously.” About Matthijs Kouw Matthijs Kouw is an experimental musician based in The Netherlands exploring the relationship between movement and stasis. Using analog synthesis, software, field recordings, and recordings of various objects, Matthijs combines long-form drone with elements from acousmatic music, noise, and microsound. Links: * Website: https://clinamen.nl/about/ [https://clinamen.nl/about/] * Bandcamp: https://clinamen.bandcamp.com/ [https://clinamen.bandcamp.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mvkouw/ [https://www.instagram.com/mvkouw/] Explore Related Music and Sound Compositions  Links to musicians, labels, and record stores mentioned in the episode: ·      Alan Lamb: https://room40.bandcamp.com/ [https://room40.bandcamp.com/]  ·      Gagi Petrovic: https://gagipetrovic.com/ [https://gagipetrovic.com/]  ·      Groupe de Recherche Musical (GRM): https://inagrm.com/fr [https://inagrm.com/fr]  ·      Important Drone Records: https://importantdronerecords.bandcamp.com/music [https://importantdronerecords.bandcamp.com/music]  ·      Important Records: https://importantrecords.com/ [https://importantrecords.com/]  ·      Marc Namblard: https://marcnamblard.bandcamp.com/ [https://marcnamblard.bandcamp.com/]  ·      Masami Akita/Merzbow: https://www.instagram.com/merzbowofficial/ [https://www.instagram.com/merzbowofficial/]  ·      Moving Furniture Records: https://movingfurniturerecords.com/ [https://movingfurniturerecords.com/]  ·      Phil Maguire: https://philmaguire.bandcamp.com/ [https://philmaguire.bandcamp.com/]  ·      Radboud Mens: https://radboudmens.bandcamp.com/ [https://radboudmens.bandcamp.com/]  ·      Sietse van Erve: https://orphax.com/about/ [https://orphax.com/about/]  ·      Staalplaat: https://staalplaat.bandcamp.com/ [https://staalplaat.bandcamp.com/]  ·      Tashiya Tsunoda: https://toshiyatsunoda.bandcamp.com/ [https://toshiyatsunoda.bandcamp.com/]  ·      Waaghals Records Store: https://www.waaghals.com/ [https://www.waaghals.com/]  Featured Music  This episode includes excerpts from: * “Irradiance”  * “Metastability 3,” from Meta-Stabilities * “Asymptotic,” from Transversal All music by Matthijs Kouw and used with permission. About the Show The Sum of All Wisdom: Conversations on Musicians, Makers, and Meaning is a long-form, reflective podcast centered on working musicians and music-adjacent professionals whose work creates meaning, community, and cultural impact. The show prioritizes listening, craft, and lived experience over promotion. Written, produced, and hosted by Scott Catey. If this conversation resonated, consider sharing it—or carrying something from it into your own listening and creative life. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://www.patreon.com/c/ScottCatey]

Bigfoot and Terraformers and Stage Fright... Oh My! Part 2 of a Conversation with Andrew Hunt

Episode Summary What does it mean to make music—and to keep making it—over a lifetime? In this episode, part 2 of Scott’s conversation with musician Andrew Hunt on songwriting, performance, and the lived realities of creative life. From the discipline of editing to the risks of artistic honesty, they explore how musicians navigate the tension between expression and expectation. Along the way, they dive into: * The difference between commercial success and artistic integrity  * Why some songs last—and others disappear within days  * The hidden labor behind “simple” music  * The emotional realities behind story songs, including violence, jealousy, and longing  * The role of live performance in creating connection and meaning  At its core, this is a conversation about music as a form of knowledge—and about what artists learn, feel, and risk in the act of creating.   In This Conversation Topics explored include: ·      Music as Knowledge Creative practice as a way of understanding emotion, identity, and the world.  ·      Art vs. Commerce Navigating authenticity in a system driven by audience and algorithm.  ·      Editing as Craft (and Survival) Knowing what to keep, what to discard, and when to stop.  ·      The Emotional Core of Songwriting Exploring difficult themes—jealousy, violence, longing—through narrative.  ·      Time, Aging, and Creative Drive The evolving risks and rewards of making art over a lifetime.   Notable Moments * Infinite variation within constraint  * The “three-day rule” for whether a song survives  * The Bob Qualters analogy: iteration, obsession, and knowing when to stop  * The concept of “stewing” as the emotional center of certain songs  * The paradox of simplicity in recording: minimal sound, maximal infrastructure  * “I still want to be Johnny Cash” — creative ambition beyond age   About the Guest Andrew Hunt is an accomplished musician, voice actor, and member of the Recording Academy. His life is an altered country western song... Looking for Peace in all the right places.  Links: * Website: https://cowboyandy.com/ [https://cowboyandy.com/]  * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cowboyandyandthesalamander3925 [https://www.youtube.com/@cowboyandyandthesalamander3925] * Spotify: * Flask [https://open.spotify.com/artist/37W9XUWSOILXIqWmawP2eD?si=u0qedIBfRT-PS-zx2ZpROQ]  * Cowboy Andy & the Salamanders [https://open.spotify.com/artist/6TqDAeHJThDhlK3lOdFb08?si=iRq3to-VTCyytBaPDResMA] * Facebook * Flask [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577598384029&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=HtZat4YlfWVOMpiH&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1AJSqnAHnL%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr]  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flaskisaband/ [https://www.instagram.com/flaskisaband/]    Music featured in this episode: “Pirate Cowboy,” written by Andrew Hunt, performed by Flask Used with permission. “Brady Bill,” written by Andrew Hunt, demo performed by Andrew Hunt Used with permission. “Tappin' at the Glass,” written by Andrew Hunt, performed by Flask Used with permission.   Production Notes Host, producer, editor: Scott Catey Publisher: Ravenna Studios Distributed by Transistor Recording & Editing: Riverside.com, Audacity.org     About the Show The Sum of All Wisdom: Conversations on Music, Makers, and Meaning is a long-form, reflective podcast centered on working musicians and music-adjacent professionals whose work creates meaning, community, and cultural impact. The show prioritizes listening, craft, and lived experience over promotion. If this conversation resonated, consider sharing it—or carrying something from it into your own listening and creative life. If the conversation provoked you, please let us know that, too. Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://www.patreon.com/c/ScottCatey]

The Three-Day Rule: Songs We Keep (and Why We Kill the Rest): A Conversation with Andrew Hunt

Episode Summary What does it mean to make music—and to keep making it—over a lifetime? In this episode, Scott sits down with musician Andrew Hunt for a wide-ranging conversation on songwriting, performance, and the lived realities of creative life. From the discipline of editing to the risks of artistic honesty, they explore how musicians navigate the tension between expression and expectation. Along the way, they dive into: * The difference between commercial success and artistic integrity  * Why some songs last—and others disappear within days  * The hidden labor behind “simple” music  * The emotional realities behind story songs, including violence, jealousy, and longing  * The role of live performance in creating connection and meaning  At its core, this is a conversation about music as a form of knowledge—and about what artists learn, feel, and risk in the act of creating.   In This Conversation Topics explored include: ·      Music as Knowledge Creative practice as a way of understanding emotion, identity, and the world.  ·      Art vs. Commerce Navigating authenticity in a system driven by audience and algorithm.  ·      Editing as Craft (and Survival) Knowing what to keep, what to discard, and when to stop.  ·      The Emotional Core of Songwriting Exploring difficult themes—jealousy, violence, longing—through narrative.  ·      Time, Aging, and Creative Drive The evolving risks and rewards of making art over a lifetime.Keep bullets short and conceptual.   Notable Moments * Infinite variation within constraint  * The “three-day rule” for whether a song survives  * The Bob Qualters analogy: iteration, obsession, and knowing when to stop  * The concept of “stewing” as the emotional center of certain songs  * The paradox of simplicity in recording: minimal sound, maximal infrastructure  * “I still want to be Johnny Cash” — creative ambition beyond age   About the Guest Andrew Hunt is an accomplished musician, voice actor, and member of the Recording Academy. His life is an altered country western song... Looking for Peace in all the right places.  Links: * Website: https://cowboyandy.com/ [https://cowboyandy.com/] * Spotify: * Flask [https://open.spotify.com/artist/37W9XUWSOILXIqWmawP2eD?si=u0qedIBfRT-PS-zx2ZpROQ]  * Cowboy Andy & the Salamanders [https://open.spotify.com/artist/6TqDAeHJThDhlK3lOdFb08?si=iRq3to-VTCyytBaPDResMA] * Facebook * Flask [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577598384029&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=HtZat4YlfWVOMpiH&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1AJSqnAHnL%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flaskisaband/ [https://www.instagram.com/flaskisaband/] Music featured in this episode: “Shady Grove” (Rough Mix) by Flask Used with permission. “Christians” by Flask Used with permission. Production Notes Host, producer, editor: Scott Catey Publisher: Ravenna Studios Distributed by Transistor Recording & Editing: Riverside.com, Audacity.org   About the Show The Sum of All Wisdom: Conversations on Music, Makers, and Meaning is a long-form, reflective podcast centered on working musicians and music-adjacent professionals whose work creates meaning, community, and cultural impact. The show prioritizes listening, craft, and lived experience over promotion. If this conversation resonated, consider sharing it—or carrying something from it into your own listening and creative life. If the conversation provoked you, please let us know that, too. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://www.patreon.com/c/ScottCatey]