The Golden Hour: Reflections and Gratitude
On August 17, 2024, something truly special unfolded at Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield, Minnesota. Nestled among the peaceful trails and golden hues of late summer, The Golden Hour performance and listening event brought together a unique blend of artists, sounds, and nature’s ambiance for an unforgettable evening. Today, I’m thrilled to share that the entire event has been captured in a beautifully edited, multi-camera performance video, now available to view on Michael Tangen’s YouTube channel.
Watch the Full Performance Video
This video is more than just a recording; it’s a portal back to that golden evening where every sound, gesture, and collaboration seemed to resonate with the landscape itself. Here’s a quick breakdown of the performances:
[0:00:18] STOLACE // Michael Tangen
Opening the evening, Michael Tangen of STOLACE set the tone with a performance that felt both grounding and expansive, weaving layers of sound that mirrored the surrounding nature.
[0:18:33] FRIPP & BUDD // Casey Deming & John Marks
Casey Deming and John Marks create captivating atmospheres built from modular synthesis, field recordings, and magnetic tape.Their interpretation was a delicate dance of textures and atmospheres, creating a bridge between past and present.
[0:39:15] VISIBLE LIGHT // Matthew Hiram & Amy McNally
As Visible Light, Amy McNally and I closed the evening with music inspired by the cycles of nature. Blending cello, flute, and synthesizer, our performance aimed to reflect the sun’s descent and the quiet embrace of twilight. These two pieces will be featured on our upcoming Visible Light Spring album.
Behind the Scenes
Bringing The Golden Hour to life was a true collaboration. From the promotional design crafted by Casey Deming to the audio and video captured by John Marks and Michael Tangen, every detail was a testament to the collective effort of this community. The editing of this video—with its thoughtful timestamps and high-quality presentation—ensures that the magic of that evening can now be experienced by an even wider audience.
Gratitude
Reflecting on this event fills me with immense gratitude—for the audience who joined us, for the artists who shared their gifts, and for the quiet yet powerful presence of nature that evening. To see this all preserved so beautifully in video is a reminder of how music and community can come together to create something timeless.
Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to Michael Tangen for making this video available for all to enjoy. Whether you were there in person or are discovering it for the first time, I hope this video resonates with you as deeply as the evening itself did.
Watch the Full Performance Video on YouTube
The Golden Hour Performance Video
Feel free to share your thoughts and reflections in the comments or reach out to me directly. I’d love to hear how this experience resonates with you!
