WESTERN FRONT – Workshop by White People Killed Them

Description:

Presented as part of Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Western Front hosted a discussion and workshop with interdisciplinary artist Raven Chacon, guitarist John Dieterich, and percussionist Marshall Trammell. Together, they form the noise-laced, turbulent White People Killed Them—a group that encourages surprise inventions and innovations towards erecting, maintaining, and defending democratic spaces in arts communities and beyond.

The event began with a conversation moderated by Giorgio Magnanensi, artistic director of Vancouver New Music, that reflected on the trio’s approach to soundmaking, and their recent performance with bassist Farida Amadou. This was followed by an hour-long open improvisation by White People Killed Them, and a question and answer period.

Presented in partnership with Vancouver New Music and Coastal Jazz & Blues Society.

White People Killed Them workshop presenters sit in a row in the Grand Luxe Hall. Giorgio Maganensi holds a microphone in his right hand and speaks to the audience while John Dieterich, Marshall Trammell, and Raven Chacon listen.

John Dieterich plays a turquoise guitar with his back to the audience. Raven Chacon is seated at a table while playing a synth, amongst other electronic instruments. Marshall Trammell drums on a red kit.

John Dieterich kneels on the carpet of the Grand Luxe Hall while playing a turquoise electric guitar. He gazes down at his collection of effects pedals, which are on the floor next to a pile of guitar picks.

Raven Chacon sits at a table where various synthesizers, microphones, and effects pedals are arranged. He wears a black graphic T-shirt, and his hand hovers while adjusting one of his electronic instruments.

Marshall Trammell plays drums with his back to the camera. In the background, John Dieterich plays a turquoise blue electric guitar, and Raven Chacon plays synthesizer while seated at a table.

Captions:

Workshop by White People Killed Them, video documentation, Jun 30, 2023. 1 hr. 56 min. 39 sec. Camera by Qiuli Wu.
Giorgio Magnanensi, John Dieterich, Marshall Trammell, and Raven Chacon at Workshop by White People Killed Them, photo documentation, Jun 30, 2023. Photo by Rachel Topham Photography.
Workshop by White People Killed Them, photo documentation, Jun 30, 2023. Photo by Rachel Topham Photography.
John Dieterich performing as part of White People Killed Them, photo documentation, Jun 30, 2023. Photo by Rachel Topham Photography.
Raven Chacon performing as part of White People Killed Them, photo documentation, Jun 30, 2023. Photo by Rachel Topham Photography.
Marshall Trammell performing as part of White People Killed Them, photo documentation, Jun 30, 2023. Photo by Rachel Topham Photography.
Workshop by White People Killed Them, photo documentation, Jun 30, 2023. Photo by Rachel Topham Photography.

Western Front is a non-profit
artist-run centre in Vancouver.

We acknowledge the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations as traditional owners of the land upon which Western Front stands.