Episode 41: THE PILGRIMAGE - Part 1: TECTONIC PRAYERS - with Chuck Johnson

The first installment of a five-part pilgrimage exploring the 2026 BIG EARS festival. Chuck Johnson, known for his pedal steel work, talks about his sample-based solo drone set in St. John's Cathedral, a fitting stage to deliver tectonic, low-end rumbles and sustained harmonics, as documented on his live Caoine series. The episode also recaps the "Scoring the Story" panel, breaking down the grueling labor and ego-suspension required in film composing. Johnson also explains why this spacious, filter-driven shift felt like the next logical step for his practice, and how it has grown out of his recent practice as a DJ. Sound Propositions should be available wherever you get your podcasts, so please keep an eye out and subscribe (and rate and review, it helps others who might be interested find us). You can support Sound Propositions on Patreon if you are so inclined, or send a one-time donation via PayPal. The first two seasons are also available on Bandcamp.  I’m very grateful for any support, which will help ensure future episodes.Interview recorded in Knoxville, 27 March 2026Produced and mixed in St Louis, July 2026SP* Episode 41: THE PILGRIMAGE - Part 1: TECTONIC PRAYERS - with Chuck Johnson LINKSChuck JohnsonBandcampSoundcloudBig EarsPart 1: TECTONIC PRAYERS - with Chuck Johnson TRACKLISTARTIST – “TITLE” (ALBUM, LABEL, YEAR)Chuck Johnson, “Sunrise” (The Guestworker, 2015)SP INTROChuck Johnson, “Caoine 6 [excerpt]” (Caoine 6, 2025)Chuck Johnson, “Teleos” (Sun Glories, 2024) Chuck Johnson, “Ground Wave (ft. Clarice Jensen)” (Sun Glories, 2024)Chuck Johnson & Clarice Jensen, [excerpt]  (Live at Lodge Room, Los-Angeles, 2026)Chuck Johnson, Constellation (The Cinder Grove, 2021)Chuck Johnson, “More Surreal” (Music From Burden Of Proof, 2023) Chuck Johnson, “Open road and hard stories” (Somewhere South, 2020)Chuck Johnson x Koen Holtkamp, Labradorite Eye (Remix)” (CRXSSINGS, 2019)Chuck Johnson & JWPATON, “Tangled mirror yarn” (Tangled mirror yarn, 2022)Chuck Johnson, “Albion Source” (Live at La Vaca Azul, 2018)Chuck Johnson, “Spiralic” (Across The Horizon Vol. 2 Drop 4, 2026)Chuck Johnson, “The Pace” (Velvet Arc, 2016)—-Sound Propositions is written, recorded, mixed, and produced by Joseph Sannicandro.