Metronome: BY A SKY; Katie Kim

BY A SKY Nathan Sherman  and Garrett Sholdice
Katie Kim

BY A SKY is a new performance project centred around a core duo of Nathan Sherman (amplified viola, electronics, percussion) and Garrett Sholdice (keyboard, electronics). Sherman and Sholdice draw on their backgrounds in classical and contemporary classical music and their shared enthusiasm for drone metal and immersive, highly focussed sonic experiences. Their original material is characterised by extremes of dynamic: the delicate and intimate co-existing with the violent and abrasive. Spacious and cathartic, these soundscapes are sometimes haunted by the ghosts of older music.

At New Music Dublin 2024, Sherman and Sholdice premiered Sherman's piece "Cauldron of Morning" with percussionist Alex Petcu, as part of the Diatribe "Archetypes Project". The performance was praised in The Journal of Music: "This was the most theatrical work in a theatrical set, with strobe lights aggressively used at a crucial point of sudden silence that was all the more striking for the intensity of the noise that preceded and followed it. But for all that this music was built on heavy distortion and volume, it was acutely heard, and exquisite music to nuzzle your ears into." 

Garrett Sholdice is a composer and producer. His music has been described as possessing an “exquisite delicacy” (The Irish Times). His music has been recorded by pianist Michael McHale, Maya Homburger & Barry Guy duo, Ergodos Musicians, Trio Scordatura, Ficino Ensemble and Crash Ensemble amongst others. Sholdice is a co-director of Ergodos, a Dublin-based record label and audio production company co-founded with composer Benedict Schlepper-Connolly in 2006. Over the last decade he has taught widely on Irish third level music programmes. In November 2023 he joined the team at the Irish Contemporary Music Centre as part-time Music Information Coordinator.  

American-born violist Nathan Sherman has been based in Dublin since 1999 and enjoys a career collaborating with other adventurous musicians. His curiosity and eclecticism allows him to present work ranging from Schütz and Purcell, to experimenting with heavy metal and aquariums. Nathan is a tireless commissioner and his “commanding and assured” performances (Journal of Music) have brought him around the world. As founding member and Artistic Director of the acclaimed chamber group Ficino Ensemble, Nathan performs a vast amount of music and has released two albums. Nathan regularly plays with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Irish Baroque Orchestra, Crash Ensemble, Evlana and in duo with percussionist Alex Petcu. He is co-artistic director of the newly formed contemporary music group Stone Drawn Circles.  

Katie Kim (Katie Sullivan) has been writing and recording for over 15 years. Mood is central to the expansive musical landscape throughout her releases. Whether they be bedroom, field or studio recordings. Darkened corners, icy atmospheres and hypnotic knife edge soundscapes. Inhabiting a lynchian metaverse, Piano chords stretch to infinity, Cinematic in scope and tectonic in delivery, many have used her scores in documentaries, film and TV to help deliver their stories. Katie Kim has collaborated extensively with many artists over the years, throughout the genre spectrum and continues to scout the unexplored.

Presented by NCH