Mushroom Church - Oakland

Science and Art come together as we appreciate the transformative power of fungi and celebrate more-than-human worlds.

Tarun Nayar / Modern Biology is a viral ‘mushroom musician’ who creates soundscapes from the bioelectric changes in plants and mushrooms. He’s invited some of his favourite mycologists, ecologists, poets and musicians to celebrate the plant and fungal kingdoms and inspire hope and resilience.

Expect a short scientific talk, poetry and musical performances, culminating in a live plant and mushroom music experience by Modern Biology in which listeners are encouraged to ‘try on’ plant and fungal consciousness, and expand their awareness to these more-than-human worlds. Also expect great sound and some amazing projection mapping in this gorgeous and historic church.

About the artists:

Modern Biology

Modern Biology has brought 'plant music' to the masses. Originally educated as a biologist, veteran musician Tarun Nayar brings his passion for nature and sound together in an ambient project that is organismic, immediate, uplifting, and deeply contextual. He uses modular synthesis, home built synthesizers and other analog equipment to improvise with the natural vibrations of a certain place and time - via plant bioelectricity, latent electromagnetic radiation, and even the earth’s resonant hum. Trained from childhood in Indian classical music, he uses the system of Indian raga to mold his musical choices for time of day and season. His performances are an effort to bring the listener into the present moment through vibration, space, and connection.

His work has been viewed over 100 million times and amassed him over 1 million followers on social media, has been featured by The Guardian, BBC, Genius, Vice, The Verge, LA Times and Times of India among others, and one of his ambient works opens the new album, Moonchild Era, by Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh. His recent albums have received editorial support on Spotify’s Music for Plants, Deep Listening, and Lava Lamp playlists. Recent performances include the Museum of Contemporary Art (LA), Art Basel (Miami), The Nobel Prize Museum (Stockholm) and the New York Botanical Garden.

Tarun is passionate about protecting wild places and has committed the lion's share of the proceeds of this project to supporting the natural world.

Zekarias Musele Thompson (saxophone, textures)

Zekarias Musele Thompson (b. 1983; they/them) is an Oakland- and Reykjavík-based artist working across sound, performance, mark-making, photography, collaborative practice, and writing, exploring how humans organize feeling and thought into material form. They’ve presented projects at MoAD, BAMPFA, The Lab, Gray Area, Santa Cruz MAH, and CNMAT, with group appearances at YBCA, CCA Wattis, and venues/festivals in Reykjavík. An instigator of the Togetherness Ensemble and co-founder of Working Name Studios, Zekarias has collaborated with artists including Laraaji, Lonnie Holley, and Zachary James Watkins.

Mushroom Church is presented in partnership with Portal - learn more about them here https://youaretheportal.com/

Tickets are non-refundable, but they are transferable using the Eventbrite website.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway, Oakland, United States