ism [ iz-uhm ] noun 1. a distinctive doctrine, theory, system, or practice

Ism 1 - Introism / TwistedSpoon

  • Sam Haupt - drums, percussion, production, mixing, mastering
    Surya Miele - Fender Rhodes
    Lucas Helfman - bass

    Kurt Marks - artwork

Diary: Sept. 1 “It has become far too strong. It is beyond even us now”.

Unknown

Ism 2 - AVARICE

  • Sam Haupt - production, mixing, mastering
    湖迷 - vocals

    MA - artwork

    https://zmawamz.jp/

    IG: @ma_hiddencircus

“…and when it emerged from the fire, the Prince found that the young griffin’s white plumage had been replaced by a coat of silver…”

Unknown

Ism 3 - Flashlight Tag

  • Sam Haupt - synthesizers, Fender Rhodes, production, mixing, mastering

    Josh Wilson - artwork

    Flashlight Tag - the painting Acrylic on canvas. 48” x 48” by Josh Wilson. Commission by Sam Haupt, March 2024

    This painting is based on a shared experience from a long time ago. A tradition lost to time. Filled with intensity and shrouded in mystery. Nerves. Rawness. Tribalism. It was disorienting. Sam and I discussed all this at length, and what came out of it: The bond. The shock and awe. The story and the memories. That’s what I hope to evoke in this painting. There is a narrative. It is an experience.

    It is also based on Sam's ripping-awesome-electro-acoustic audio composition. Sam's music is full of character and nuance. It's Reich-like with its layers and sequences fading in and out of one another. I constructed the painting to mimic this effect. The color, texture, space, and depth hopefully reflect that. His music has a perpetual energy. Similarly, your eye moves around the painting continually and catches something new on each viewing. The music is filled with many types of percussion instruments, which Sam and I both play. Drumming is primal. Instinctive. There’s rhythm and repetition. Simplicity and complexity. And it is one of the best ways to communicate outside.

    The painting does not have a top or bottom. There is no signature to avoid suggesting a “right side up.” Because of this it may be hung from any side or from any corner. It can and should be viewed and entered from any perspective. It’s large so that at the right distance it will consume the viewer’s vision and overwhelm their senses.

    If you’re lucky enough to share an amazing experience with someone, or a group of some one’s, enjoy it. Reflect on it. Maybe even make some art about it.

“There are no secrets about the world of nature. There are secrets about the thoughts and intentions of men."

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Ism 4 - Jinzo Delirium

  • Sam Haupt - synthesizers, production, mixing, mastering

    Elizabeth Gartman - vocals

    IG: @lizafer_lemon

    www.elizabethgartman.com

    Eugenia Firs - artwork

“To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour…”

William Blake

Ism 5 - Supervoid

  • Sam Haupt - production, mixing, mastering

    Camie Dziadosz - artwork

    IG: @camillahkillah

    https://thefifthhour.xyz/store-qioKb

    "In an effort to capture the essence of the title "Super Void," I deeply internalized Sam’s ideas about the track. For Sam, the track serves as an abstract exploration of “contextualizing our existence on a cosmic scale” and “bridging the void between human consciousness and that of the universe.” Inspired by these concepts, I created an interconnected piece with a balance of organic and geometric shapes and patterns, with tiny details acting as metaphors for the elements that form our existence. The title also alludes to the vast amount of dark matter permeating the cosmos. This inspired me to emphasize the space (dark matter) in a way that both manipulated and complemented the overall spatial dimension, capturing my interpretation of the harmony amidst the chaos and enigma of the universe.
    I am so grateful to have been a part of such a unique, insightful, and inspirational project. Sam’s guidance and vision have enriched me creatively and spiritually."

“A man often meets his destiny on the path he takes to avoid it”

Jean de la Fontaine

Ism 6 - Higher Order Being

  • Sam Haupt - drums, percussion, vibraphone, synthesizers, electric guitar, bass, production, mixing, mastering

    Elizabeth Gartman - vocals
    IG: @lizafer_lemon
    www.elizabethgartman.com

    Racc4644 - artwork

    IG: @racc4644n

    www.artstation.com/raccoon4644

“Isn't it rich?
Isn't it queer?
Losing my timing this late in my career
But where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns
Well, maybe next year”

Stephen Sondheim

Ism 8 - Send In The Clowns

  • Sam Haupt - production, mixing, mastering

    Nate Jahiel - artwork

    Original music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

To my musicians - Surya Miele, Lucas Helfman, 湖迷, and Elizabeth Gartman - thank you for lending your time, talent, and artistry. These Isms would not have been the same without your contributions.

To my artists - Kurt Marks, MA, Josh Wilson, Eugenia Firs, Camie Dziadosz, Racc4644, and Nate Jahiel - thank you for your incredible work and consideration of my project. You met my vision and elevated it in every way.

To Alex Yanez, Sebastian Nassar, and Nestor Gonzalez, thank you for lending me your ears, instruments, and support through the completion of this album.

To Mark Tablan, thank you for helping me bring this website from concept to reality.

To Josh Wilson, for your mentorship, your friendship, your artistry, and for encouraging me to become an artist. I would not be the drummer, artist, or person I am today if it weren’t for you.

To Daniela Pope, for you unwavering support, encouragement, and love.

And to anyone else reading this, thank you for taking the time to explore my work. One of the great joys of creating art is to offer others the opportunity to learn something new about themselves. I hope you discovered some isms of your own along the way.

Sincerely,

Sam

Acknowledgements

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Acknowledgements