Artists for Nancy, a group of visual and performing artists and writers who support the Democratic candidate for Congress Nancy Goroff, have released an album to raise money and awareness for her campaign against the Republican incumbent Lee Zeldin in New York's First Congressional District.
"VOTE" features an eclectic group of musicians from all over Suffolk County: Empyrean Atlas, Carter Burwell, Spitnkitn, Student Body, Alison and Taylor Ackley, David Voss, John Ling, Iva Casian-Lakos, David Crowell, Cliff Baldwin, Alfredo Merat, Juliet Garrett, Taylor Barton, and LoVid.
Christine Sciulli, a visual artist from Amagansett, formed Artists for Nancy with Tali Hinkis, an interdisciplinary artist from Stony Brook, and Alex Hu, a community organizer. The album's musical styles, the group says, range from "American folk, Latin, jazz, rock, contemporary classical, noise, and genres in between."
According to Ms. Casian-Lakos, who brought the musicians together for the project, "Work for artists and musicians slowed down to almost zero because of Covid-19, so we directed our energy and time toward activism. We want to make an impact through our art, and to also show that artists are a valuable work force."
She said the idea to make an album came from trying "to find a way for local musicians -- including myself -- to also contribute to our message." In addition to being a way to raise money, "it's beautiful to see Suffolk musicians from different backgrounds and generations come together to support our message to vote and support Goroff."
A Mexican-American who performs internationally as a cellist, singer, and improviser, Ms. Casian-Lakos is also "involved in several multimedia collaborations, such as Synesthetic Project, which combines experimental classical music and improvised music with video and dance."
Mr. Burwell, who is known for his film score collaborations with the Coen Brothers and Todd Haynes, has contributed an unreleased track. Other familiar East End names are Spitnkitn, Ms. Barton, and Mr. Merat. Spitnkitn is the punk-pop trio of Lindsay Morris, Susan Nieland, and Barbara Dayton, all three of whom are also visual artists. Ms. Barton is a singer-songwriter known for her evocative lyrics and traditional rock style. Mr. Merat reflects his Spanish birth and Bordeaux childhood through Latin-influenced compositions and recent projects inspired by Jacques Brel.
Ms. Hinkis is directly involved in the project, contributing a track by LoVid, her partnership with Kyle Lapidus. The duo's work includes immersive installations, sculptural synthesizers, single-channel videos, tapestries, stained glass, participatory projects, mobile media cinema, works on paper, and multimedia performance.
Empyrean Atlas, led by David Crowell, is a minimalist rock quintet of multitasking musicians. The music "pulses with small, ecstatic fibrillations," according to The New York Times. Mr. Crowell has also contributed a solo track and composed the music played by Ms. Casian-Lakos and his band on the album.
Mr. Baldwin is a composer, sculptor, and filmmaker who lives and works in Aquebogue. His work is in several national museums, and he composes for his film and music ensemble ACME. He is the director of Aqui Editions, an online source for artists books, prints, and multiples.
Mr. Ling is a drummer, composer, and writer. Student Body features Gian Carlo Feleppa on guitar and vocals, Kevin Foran on drums, and the singer Jen (Frosty) Hoopes.
The Ackleys are a husband and wife team who have performed together since 2015 when they founded the Deep Roots Ensemble. They share his background in traditional American music with her experience as a classical chamber musician, united by a two-part harmony in their singing.
Ms. Garrett, a singer-songwriter based in New York and London, closes the album with a song that reminds listeners that their vote is their voice. Carlos Morales designed the album art.
The album can be accessed with a donation of $10 or more to the Nancy Goroff campaign through her website goroffforcongress.com. A screenshot of the receipt is required by email at [email protected] in order to access the private code to download the album.
