Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, vocals, synthesizers
In her formative years, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith communed with nature on Orcas Island in the San Juan archipelago of Washington state, which she describes as “one of the most magical and peaceful places.” Her creative work continues to be infused with the vitality and serenity of Orcas. At Berklee College of Music, she studied composition and sound engineering, first focusing on voice as her primary instrument, then incorporating classical guitar and piano. She refined her sound with the indie-folk band Ever Isles, but in a fateful encounter, a neighbor loaned her a Buchla 100 synthesizer—to profound effect. She was immediately mesmerized with its potential; starting with rhythmic patterns and melodic pulses, she began sculpting lush and exciting worlds of sound. Smith writes that with her April 2016 album Ears (Western Vinyl), “My intention was to take audiences on a sonic motion ride through a futuristic jungle. I wanted to play with visceral sounds that pull one between feelings of beauty and dissonance, chaos and order.”
Every Thursday in July and August, 5:30–8:00 p.m.
Live music begins at 6:30 p.m.
Regular Museum admission applies. Performances take place in the Sculpture Garden. In the event of rain, the Garden will close, and music will take place in Theater 1. Please note: Sculpture Garden and indoor seating are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.
The musical component of Summer Thursdays 2018 celebrates musicians living and working in New York City. Organized in collaboration with PopRally, the series hosts a variety of sounds that explore the City’s expansive musical landscape. Each evening, unique sonic flavors fill the Sculpture Garden with a range of blended genres such as dream punk, Afrofuturist soul, funk fusion, hip-hop, experimental, and lo-fi baroque pop.