ESS's co-director “origin stories” continue with reflections from Olivia Junell, who joined ESS in 2015. We wouldn’t have these stories to share if it weren’t for the generosity of individual donors throughout ESS’s history—fuel more tales in 2024 with a year end donation.

“I’ve seen some wild stuff, but this was different…”
ESS Co-Director Olivia Junell’s “Origin Story”

What was your first experience with ESS?
I first came to ESS for one of the Vinosonic garden events; I think the premise was to pair “songs” with different wines. I was unfamiliar with experimental or improvised music (and the wine was flowing generously), so the whole thing was pretty overwhelming but also exciting. I had been working in contemporary art for almost 10 years and had seen some wild stuff, but this was different. This was a space that could open my mind and expose me to new experiences—a welcome discomfort.

Why did you join ESS?
The real question is, why did they hire me! I came in without knowledge of sound art or experimental music, which has turned out to be a strength in my particular job. I was attracted to the job description, which combined fundraising work with community outreach.

It took me at least three months to begin figuring out how I fit into the ecosystem here. I like to remember that period because even though ESS has grown since, one of our strengths that we carry forward is how organic and open we remain. That’s one of the reasons I stay at ESS. We get to try new things and redefine the pathways and structures all the time. To work in an organization that has held innovation and nimbleness as a core principle since its founding nearly 40 years ago is incredibly freeing.

Looking back at 2023, what are you most proud of?
2023 has been such a year! There were a lot of really big endeavors that I’m very proud of. However, I want to call out the ESS/FENCE Archive Exchange and CAA DJ nights at middle brow. Both were/are fairly modest in scale, but are examples of moments when someone on the team had an idea (Kelsey McFalls and James Wetzel respectively) to try something new, and we were able to implement it because of support from members and regular donors. Since the ESS/FENCE Archive Exchange, the whole team is excited to get more involved in the poetry community. And, the steady build of the DJ nights is already leading to tendrils of other engagement activity with the Archive. I’m proud that ESS is able and committed to working simultaneously at multiple scales because I believe it all connects and fuels one another.

What are you excited for in 2024?
The new ess.org website. We have so much media, especially with Creative Audio Archive, that we haven’t gotten out there yet. We’ve been waiting for a long time to bring this level of accessibility to the collections. TQC in 2020 really showed us how online presentation can connect ESS to like-minded people around the world. I think the website will create a new hub for community and creativity. I’m excited to see what it will grow into.

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Co-Director Interviews: Olivia Junell

“I’ve seen some wild stuff, but this was different…”ESS Co-Director Olivia Junell’s “Origin Story”

“I’ve seen some wild stuff, but this was different…”
ESS Co-Director Olivia Junell’s “Origin Story”