Somna M Bulist


Explorations involve tangible music and intangible sound projects where the harp is a pivotal presence :: List of works  :: Xarpe Artist Editions :: Itunes :: Bandcamp :: YouTube
 

 
    Live streaming original harp music
    on Twitch :: Not A Performance

twitch.tv/somna_m_bulist

www.somnambulist.tv 

   The live streams are Not A Performance though I may not be 
   able to respond to the chat until after playing.  
   See you there, be sure to say hello!
    

    Recorded episodes on Youtube 
   Somna M Bulist's YouTube channel.
   Highlights from the livestreams are regularly posted. 
    


        We look forward to having you as part of 
        our virtual audience!
        

Youtube highlights follow photo link
Please like and subscribe!
 


photo link to youtube video 
working form Movement B of
Orbital Dictum 2023
Country View live stream
on scheduled Fridays
around sunset with
ambient harp looping		 
"beautiful harp chaos" 
clip by LEAstreamss
LEAstreamss founded and facilitates 
the Harpist Showcase on Twitch
 
The Dark Faery Ring Raid consisted of fifteen minute 
live presentations by followers of the channel. It was a way 
to introduce everyone to each other. The raid train was 
circular in concept thus the Ring. I hope to do this 
again soon.Follow photo link to the video of the
Faerye Ring Raid fifteen minutes which may have 
been longer due to the host factor.
 
 Two Twitch festivals organized by ZenModernLife 

Bowing harp strings
         improvisation
         vintage guitar effects
         proper speakers recommended
The possibilities of sound as a generative force inspire Bulist's music-making. With a passion for exploration, she continually delves into a diverse range of sonic elements to facilitate transformative experiences. In the vibrant landscape of New York City, she actively participated in the creation and performance of public rituals for the Wiccan Esbats, intertwining her musical expression with sacred traditions. Her involvement in the sacred fire circle community has been a constant source of inspiration, enriching her artistic endeavors.

Between 2012 and 2014, Bulist immersed herself in the expanded aural perception developed by the pioneering American composer, Pauline Oliveros. This engaging period led to the presentation of two remarkable works at the Deep Listening Conferences in Troy, New York. "Wave Dynamics for the Harp," presented as a paper, explored the interplay of tone production and resonance of the harp. Additionally, she presented the situational performance of "The Observance of Meng Xiang (Dream City)." During this time, Bulist founded Xarpe Artist Editions, a platform that nurtures new works for the harp, publishing them in exquisite limited editions. She also contributed her talents to Ben Richter's Ghost Ensemble, a collective that celebrates the works of Oliveros while championing contemporary composers through performances and commissions.

In recent years, Somna has found profound inspiration in "The Invitation to Freedom," a direct pointing to awakening by Mooji. This spiritual influence has guided her in the creation of new devotional works that combine vocals, harp, electronics, and bongos. Through this foray of elements, Somna aims to evoke deep introspection and invites listeners to the experience.
With a captivating fusion of composition and harp performance, Ms. Bulist has been enchanting audiences since the turn of the century. Known for her evocative solo harp compositions, she has left an indelible whisper on the music scene.

Somna's musical journey began with the groundbreaking performance of "The Faerye Invocations" at Representations: Asian and Asian-American Women Artists in Pittsburgh, PA. This marked the genesis of her exploration into the ethereal realms of sound. Her amplified harp rendition of "The Faerye Invocations" mesmerized audiences at the 1998 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. The EP "Invocations FAERYE" featured three of her enchanting compositions, showcasing her unique talent.

In commemoration of the end of the 20th century, Bulist unveiled "44 minutes on the flatline__A Cry for the Millennium" at the New York International Fringe Festival. This electro-acoustic harp soundscape, inspired by documented accounts of the banshee's haunting wail, transported listeners into a realm of sonic mysticism. Another spellbinding performance, "Valentine Stigmata," immersed audiences in the ceremonial practices of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, with Somna's composition serving as a tonal ritual of Qabalist chant. The CD release "Valentine Stigmata," featuring the vocalist extraordinaire Haley Alexandra Saba, is now available on iTunes and other streaming platforms.

Recognized for her evocative performances in the NYC downtown club scene, Somna M Bulist has earned the honorary title of "Gothic Harp Diva." She has graced renowned venues such as Endless Night Productions at Mother and The Bank, Alchemy Gothic Mondays at CBGB's Gallery 313, The Court of Lazarus, The Witches Balls, Rubalad, and many more. Somna's artistic collaborations have taken her on an extraordinary journey, including joint performances with the renowned theremin player, Armen Ra. Together, they enchanted audiences with their otherworldly fusion of harp and theremin, creating an aura of the electro-acoustic and Armenian folk tradition. In her formative years as a harpist, Somna showcased her versatility by collaborating with the rock band Zette, captivating audiences at esteemed NYC clubs Pyramid and Area.

Having completed a BFA from Pratt Institute, Bulist embarked on a divergent path, immersing herself in the study of the harp under the guidance of the legendary harpist and innovator, Lucile Lawrence. 

The FAERYE Invocations were first presented by

    Representations: Asian and Asian-American Women Artists 
    
at Brew House SPACE 101, Pittsburgh, PA (1998) 

for Ghost Ensemble 2014

Preparation for the concert performance:

Please take a moment or two to contemplate your relationship 
with the large bodies of water on this planet, the oceans, 
seas, lakes, rivers. Imagine that this body of water is 
a living being. What would you say?

Please join us for the sounding of our responses in a continuing dialogue with the sea

Beneath The Surface Gravity Loosens And Weightlessness Prevails, for the softest sounds possible


If I can imagine my sound is infinite, my presence is my dream. 

The Observance of Meng Xiang (Dream City)  was held on July 13th, 2014 
in the lower lobby of the Experimental Media And Performing Arts Center, Troy NY 
presented by First Festival at the 2nd Annual International Conference on Deep Listening.



 Participants are invited to contribute by just being present and/or by imaginary actions 
and/or real time actions such as instrumental, vocal, physical movement. Contributions are 
held and honored in the Dream City.  Night dreams and day dreams are invited into The Observance.
 

 with Ghost Ensemble for Pauline Oliveros' Anthology of Text Scores   Eyebeam, NYC 2013 


 Webster Giles Smith composed the Nocturne and Tape in 1986 
    
 in New York City as an active member of the composer consortium 
 
Music Under Construction..

He was also known as SpyderWeb in numerous 80's bands.. 

Marilyn and the Movie Stars, Antonia and The Operators, Trixz Sly 

and the Nothing and his own band UXB. 

Having played the Nocturne for many years I have yet to perform it

in a public setting, something I look forward to and highly recommend.  

The tape and the music are evocative of ocean life and of longings. 

For the moment I present this personal sketch of the 

Nocturne for Harp or Piano and Tape



Score is available at www.XarpeArtistEditions.com under Webster Giles Smith

Webster Giles Smith		 

Sakura arrangement by Pumehana David Wadsworth
  
impromtu and beautifully performed by Webster Giles Smith 2010
  



The arrangement of Sakura for Lever or Pedal Harp is available

www.XarpeArtistEditions.com under Pumehana Davis Wadsworth
2019 FIREBIRD SONIC SALUTATIONS VIDEOS

FIREBIRD SONIC SALUTATIONS download at somnambulist.bandcamp 

Sonic Salutations (2008 and evolving)

For pedal harp, alone or several harps not necessarily in unison. 
Duration undetermined. Twelve brief tonal gestures 
for times of the day and night.  
Individual interpretations encouraged.
Score available at Xarpe Artist Editions

Firebird Sonic Salutations are bowed, plucked and processed.  
Recorded in celebration of the Year of the Firebird 2017.  
Visuals for the videos filmed in 2019.
 
2013 the madonna speaker an experiential sound installation in Sound Sculpting and Deep Listening Through Electronics ~ Deep Listening Workshop with Doug Van Nort

Listen to the Geno_final_audio 

crowd source installation invoking prompted interactions 

prompt card art by Mary Spicher Fischer 

Deep Listening Conference presentation 2013
 
Ghost Ensemble's inaugural concert, March 23, 2013

Transient Series II.4, presented by Indexical Willow Place Auditorium, Brooklyn, NY


Somna M Bulist - I Lay My Heart Open To The Benign Indifference Of The Universe (2012)

Joshua Morris - Duet for Doublebass and Doublebassist (2012)

Ben Richter - Healing Ghost (2012)
 

Oror, composed by Ganatchian, a joy working with Armen Ra,
    the wonderful theremin player
 

Midnight


BLACK LIVES MATTER


"We need a new form of government to help the people"


Joan Baez is fearless


"The only way to deal with an unfree society
is to become so absolutely free that your 
very existence is an act of rebellion" ~ Albert Camus


Oil Spills Kill
 
1999 New York International Fringe Festival presentation 

heralding the turn of the millenium with the cry of the banshee

electro acoustic harp playing documented accounts of the banshee's keen
 
Haley Alexandra Saba aka Lillian deNile, vocalist on Valentine Stigmata CD

~*~  she was fifteen years beautiful, my niece ~*~
 
Invocation to AURIEL, Guardian of the North ~ Valentine Stigmata 2001
 

Invocations Faerye ~ The Golden, finder of treasure
 



© 2024 somnambulist ::  contact ::  bulist dot somna at gmail dot com