EPISODE 11: Nematodes, Heart, and Hormones

Of Sound and Fury: The Music Behind the Madness

May 01, 2025

Every June The Cleveland Museum of Art holds its annual signature event, Summer Solstice. In 2015 the grassy knoll performed at the event as a duo, with Justin Bernard Williams on saxophone.

the grassy knoll performing at The Cleveland Museum of Art. June 20, 2015

After our set, Boston-based media-artist Brian Knep, who was there debuting his installation Healing Pools, introduced himself. He wanted to discuss the projections that I had created for the performance. This led to a fascinating discussion regarding his work observing and interacting with nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans) during his time as the first artist-in-residence at Harvard Medical School.

Nematodes are one of the most studied organisms in the scientific community and are often used to study aging. In an effort to connect with the microscopic creatures, Brian introduced the worms to bacteria and fungi from his own body, and he built microscopic sculptures for the worms to explore. He recorded his observations of these interactions with high definition video.

Towards the end of our talk he presented the idea of putting music to his footage—naturally, I was curious to check it all out.

Avatar. A nematode (*Caenorhabditis elagans*) explores a fake worm.

The imagery was thought-provoking and oddly elegant. We both agreed that the song “Art of Fear” would work well as a soundtrack to his footage. Brian offered me complete artistic freedom. The only rule—create a music video of his Caenorhabditis elegans.

SOMETHING OLD

HEART / Keep My Love Alive / 1977

Heart's 1977 performance of “Keep My Love Alive” on The Midnight Special is one of those electrifying moments that captures the band at their raw, early peak. The show, known for live music and unfiltered performances, gave the Wilson sisters a chance to show a grittier side than what fans might have heard on the radio.

The song itself is a driving, bluesy rocker. Ann Wilson delivers a scorching vocal performance, unleashing her full range with grit and passion. Nancy Wilson, on guitar, is fierce and focused, channeling a rougher edge than the folk-tinged work she’s often associated with. The band sounds alive, loose, and urgent—far from polished, but full of energy. That performance feels less like a TV spot and more like a band on the edge of exploding.

SOMETHING NEW

HORMONAR / Glussi / 2017

Hórmónar is an Icelandic punk band that delivered a standout performance of their song “Glussi” during KEXP’s live broadcast at the Iceland Airwaves Festival in 2017. The session took place at Kex Hostel in Reykjavík and was part of KEXP’s ongoing effort to spotlight emerging international talent.

Formed in late 2015 in the town of Garðabær, Hórmónar quickly gained attention by winning Músíktilraunir, Iceland’s prominent youth-focused battle of the bands. Their name translates to “Hormones” in Icelandic, a fitting moniker for their raw, emotionally charged sound. The band is fronted by Brynhildur Karlsdóttir and Urður Bergsdóttir, whose fierce stage presence and vocal intensity were highlights of the performance. Their music blends various punk subgenres, from heavy, sludgy riffs to fast-paced, melodic bursts, often shifting abruptly between calm and chaos. “Glussi” exemplifies this dynamic, with its explosive energy and visceral delivery.