Infrasound x Darian Donovan Thomas: Book of Sorrows
“The music you are about to hear stems from a collaboration between ten InfraSound musicians and composer Darian Donovan Thomas. Workshopped over two months in Fall 2023, and further developed from 2023-2025, Book of Sorrows is a musical spellbook in response to the need for a safe space to process queer trauma, sadness, and sorrow musically. During our workshops, Darian and InfraSound worked through different modes of expressing sorrow, and how deeply it is rooted in queer identity. Oftentimes as queer musicians, we seek validation through external means (for example praise from our peers, accolades, and recognition). Validation, more often than not, forms our sense of “queer joy” and belonging. Institutions meanwhile fetishize this joy in order to assimilate our bodies into a heteronormative societal framework. While queer people are praised for being joyful and vibrant, we also are often silenced or ostracized for expressing anything that fits outside of this rigid frame. In order to fully embrace queerness in all of its multifaceted beauty, we must also support and celebrate the dark and difficult parts of ourselves that we tend to keep hidden. To be fully embraced as a queer person is to be seen. We hope this music will give an opportunity for audiences to peek into our internal selves, to bask in its sorrow, pain, and beauty, and to break free from society’s expectations of us.” - Yoshi Weinberg
Music and Texts by Darian Donovan Thomas
Produced by Darian Donovan Thomas and Alex Ring Gray
Engineered by Michael Hammond
Recorded at Figure 8 Recording – Brooklyn, NY
Except for Vocals on “Inner Child”, and Electronics, engineered by Alex Ring Gray
Recorded at Dunvagen Music – New York, NY
Mixed by Alex Ring Gray and Darian Donovan Thomas
Mastered by Dan Langa
Photos by Matt Josephson
Shara Lunon, voice
Luke Paulino, voice
Stefanie Proulx, flutes
Yoshi Weinberg, flutes, pedal harp
Kristina Teuschler, bass clarinet
Giancarlo Latta, violin
Dudley Raine IV, viola
Sam Zagnit, double bass
J Clancy, percussion
Daniel Schreiner, piano
Darian Donovan Thomas, voice, electronics, piano
