“State of Sound: Stories” series hosts Cypher organizers Jan. 24

The NC State University Libraries’ “State of Sound: Stories” event series celebrates the audio side of our school with special guests all semester long. State of Sound is a library-powered and NC State community-enabled project. Its goal is to capture the creative work of the NC State sound-making community and share it back through a number of channels—recorded sound, events, talks, meetups, peer-to-peer instruction, and all of the other ways communities learn from one another and thrive. State of Sound: Stories asks individuals and groups to share their personal sound stories—their own creative paths that got them involved with sound—to highlight diverse ways forward for those interested in making sound a bigger part of their lives or careers. State of Sound: Stories invites musicians, promoters, podcasters, label representatives, photographers, videographers, and workers in general who have built projects and jobs around sound and creativity.

All events are free and open to the public. Spring 2019 “State of Sound: Stories” events schedule:

NC State’s Cypher
Thursday, Jan. 24, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., D. H. Hill Jr. Library Fishbowl Forum
“Cypher” refers to a cyclical line of rappers, taking turns improvising, surrounded by a ring of onlookers. NC State Cypher, “the dopest freestyle cypher in the known universe,” regularly draws crowds at the Free Expression Tunnel. In this conversation with Cypher organizers, learn about the history of the movement and how it supports some of North Carolina's finest freestyle rappers and underground artists.

Hiss Golden Messenger’s M.C. Taylor
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Hunt Library Auditorium
M.C. Taylor has been writing soulful songs for Durham’s Hiss Golden Messenger for over a decade. But the Merge Records artist—who draws influence from such diverse voices as Pauli Murray and Wendell Berry, Linda Thompson and Bill Withers—started his artistic path in the early 90s and is one that included experimental hardcore music, alt country, and advanced folklore degrees. Join us for a conversation with him about making a life with sound, words, family, and community.

Jules Conlon, General Manager of WKNC
Wednesday, March 20, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., D. H. Hill Jr. Library Fishbowl Forum
Jules Conlon is the 2018-2019 General Manager of 88.1 FM, WKNC, NC State’s student-run radio station. WKNC creates a community of broadcast enthusiasts from the ever-changing population of NC State and, year after year, delivers quality programming, cutting-edge music, and community engagement. A senior biology major, Conlon got her start in the music industry in 2014, when she created the music blog Noise Polluter, which featured album reviews and interviews and eventually contributions from other writers nationwide. She started at WKNC during her first semester of college, working her way up from an assistant music director. Conlon has also interned at Merge Records and worked with Hopscotch Music Festival and Moogfest. Join us for a conversation with Conlon about WKNC, broadcasting, and being an integral and influential part of the world of music necessarily having to play instruments or write songs.