Lia Kohl
Whitney Johnson, Lia Kohl, and Macie Stewart unveil performance film for “Stone | Piece,” directed by Derrick Alexander at The Land School. Blending strings with analog tape loops, the video captures a fresh, ambient take on the composition. The release coincides with their sold-out support dates for Andrew Bird’s Gezelligheid shows in Chicago, teasing a new album for 2026.
Chicago-based sound artist Lia Kohl has shared three new tracks from her forthcoming album, Various Small Whistles and a Song, set for release on November 14 via Dauw and which draws its unique concept from Ed Ruscha’s 1964 artist book, Various Small Fires and Milk. The new tracks feature contributions from Patrick Shiroishi, Corey Smith, Ellie Mejía, and Anna Fox.
Experimental cellist and sound artist Lia Kohl has announced her new album, Various Small Whistles and a Song, which takes direct inspiration from Ed Ruscha’s 1964 artist book, Various Small Fires and Milk. Listen to a three-track preview, one of which features claire rousay. The suite guides listeners from the bustling streets of China to rousay’s LA home, and finally to Kohl’s own kitchen in Chicago.
Three pillars of Chicago’s experimental scene—Whitney Johnson, Lia Kohl, and Macie Stewart—have formed a new trio. Their debut single, “Stone Piece I,” out now on International Anthem, transforms improvised strings and vocals into a textural soundscape using analog tape loops. The release previews their live debut at Chicago’s Sound & Gravity Festival on September 11th and a full album planned for 2026.