In June of 2019 Elsa Nilsson recorded a series of improvisations inside a Redwood tree near Sebastopol, CA. She has a habit of doing this, because in her words: “The songs I hear from nature are entirely different from what I write at home. I call these recordings seeds, to grow things from later.” Over this year of lockdown Nilsson has transcribed and expanded these melodies, turning them into a suite of music that looks at these majestic trees from many angles. 

Nilsson and her cohorts Jon Cowherd and Chris Morrissey are beyond thrilled to premiere this suite at the Soapbox Gallery on Earth Day, April 22nd at 8 pm Eastern Time. The music will be accompanied by visuals and words creating the experience of being in these woods. Join Nilsson, Cowherd and Morrissey on a walk through the magic of an ancient ecosystem, looking at the interplay between fog and fire. The suite examines our relationship to the Redwoods and their relationship to each other on a societal, scientific and personal level, telling stories of how the trees communicate through mycorrhizal connections between their roots, how they pull water from the fog enabling them to grow taller, the trees reactions to fire and how it triggers new growth, indigenous relationships with the trees and more. It is a story of interconnectedness that spans our history and our future. 

50% of the artist share from this performance will go to Save The Redwoods (https://www.savetheredwoods.org/)

Jon Cowherd - Piano
Chris Morrissey - Upright Bass