Voidwave is a web of experimental voices, sounds, and interviews with a focus on work by femme, gender non-conforming, and queer folx. Embedded in these sound practices are rebelliousness and longing, hunger for new subversive futures, irreverence, determined perseverance, political potency, uncompromising processes, and includes a celebration of lineages that spans across time and the globe. Voidwave is a 2-hour radio show that features work from artists who use experimental sound and music, performance, field recording, spoken word, sound art, sound poetics, and other disobedient audio speculations – adventures into sound and conversations with the people who made them.

This Voidwave episode features an intimate conversation with sound artist Alan Nakagawa, over a steaming Zojirushi stovetop of vegan sukiyaki, bubbling with all kinds of delicious possibilities. Upon being approached to collaborate for this episode, Alan Nakagawa had naturally come to mind. A long-time friend to Kim, Katya and I had first encountered Alan through his guest lecture for Kim’s course, Introduction to Sound Art. He was wearing an ally t-shirt for Trans Day of Visibility, and merrily toured us through his website, project by project, effortlessly peppering in silly tales and anecdotes (much like this episode, the listener will find). When asked how he might want to approach this episode, Alan pictured a “My Dinner with Andre” style gathering as a form of retrospective. Having encountered younger artists confused by Alan’s currently growing spotlight, he had proposed that a discussion of his older pieces might better contextualize how long he’s been making work. We arrived with a long roll of paper, notes, and writing utensils, prepared to create a timeline. Instead, we received a warm tour of Alan’s home and studios, his garden, prepared and ate a delicious vegan dinner together, and discussed at length Alan’s artistic upbringing and relentless practice.

Such an experience might, in fact, be best equipped to answer the original question of where Alan’s success has come. The answer persists naturally, through tales of community, a daily habit of practicing since the 70’s, and navigating art spaces through human connection first. It portrays vividly the kind of artistic practice that has embedded Alan’s work into the fabric of Los Angeles, and cultivated an artistic language distinguishing his work unto a body of its own. We were delighted to also discuss queerness, allyship, and what about Alan’s allyship has led him to be embraced by queer and feminist artists, community, and spaces. As we reflected on all of Alan’s mentors having been women, his work with the Womens’ Building, and his day-to- day lived communities, we arrived at this point where, for a show such as Voidwave, Alan may naturally come to mind.

This episode was created and edited by visiting curator Bo Kim, co-producer and co-editor Katya Urban, and hosted by producer Kim Zumpfe. Writing by Bo Kim.