“I think there’s so many possibilities with [the violin] as far as the sonic capabilities,” says Whiteriver Arizona born, New York based experimental composer Laura Ortman, speaking to Laina Dawes in The Wire 471. “I like to play my violin so it gives off tiny particles of the rosin from the violin strings, which creates this grittiness and these little sparks. Creating too much grit within the sound, so it gets emotive. Visually, it gives off plumes of smoke when you really dig in and it creates even more atmosphere when I perform.”

This footage of Ortman playing in 2018 was filmed at New York’s 3A Gallery at the opening of Lunatic(k); a photo and video installation by US photographer Barbara Ess (1948–2021). Music by Slayer included in the installation plays in the background as Ortman – who was Ess's hair stylist – opens the show.

In her Invisible Jukebox interview in The Wire 471, Ortman discusses tracks by Buffy Sainte-Marie, C Spencer Yeh, Raven Chacon, and more. Read all inside our latest issue. Wire subscribers can also read the interview online via the digital library.