The Vocal Circus of Joan La Barbara: The Echoes Interview
We play a lot of singers on this show who create imaginary languages. Vocalists like Elizabeth Fraser of Cocteau Twins, Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance and Azam Ali of Vas and Niyaz. But two singers in the avant-garde world preceded them. One is Meredith Monk. The other is Joan LaBarbara. Her debut album was a declaration of independence called Voice is the Original Instrument.
Joan LaBarbara: Voice Is the Original Instrument is really a kind of statement or manifesto. When I started exploring the voice, it was to say, yes, it is the original instrument.
Today, we profile Joan La Barbara’s career which includes collaborations on signature works with John Cage, Philip Glass, Steve Reich and Morton Subotnick. She was also the voice of Ripley’s baby Alien in the movie, Alien Resurrection. We interviewed her in 2024 at the Big Ears Festival and are finally bringing it to air. Get ready to have your minds blown, one way or the other with Joan La Barbara tonight on Echoes