Emergence Collective

Kate Douglas, Matthew Dean Marsh, Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez & Sylver Wallace

Emergence Collective is a songwriting initiative founded by four New York-based musicians, artists, activists and friends. The collective formed in 2017 with a focus on “emergent strategy,” as discussed by writer and social justice facilitator adrienne maree brown. These principles are inspired by both Octavia Butler’s science fiction and the science behind biomimicry in our ecosystems. The collective mission is to bring audiences out of dissociation and into embodiment through music – like the etymology of emergence they wish to “bring to light” deep ecology and its importance in restructuring our society.

The Emergence Collective’s work has been presented all over New York including the Ancram Opera House, Bard College, Rockwood Music Hall, and SoFar Sounds live concert series. As the collective continues to deepen their research, they are developing an original music concert series called PERENNIALS comprised of two parts. The first part is a short film shot entirely on iPhone during a residency at Ancram Opera House during COVID. The second part is a live performance that evolves from that short film.