Bay Area percussionist and improviser Karen Stackpole creates experimental soundscapes through unconventional instrumentation, combining gongs, scrap metal, and world percussion to craft immersive sonic textures. Her work spans multiple collaborative projects that push the boundaries of improvisation and electronic music, establishing her as a vital voice in the West Coast experimental scene.
Stackpole's prolific collaborations include the duo Euphonics with Aidan McIntyre, the improvising quartet Vorticella alongside Brenda Hutchinson, Krys Bobrowski, and Erin Espeland, and the Left Coast Improv collective Ghost in the House. She has also contributed percussion to projects including Cactus Motel, The Tenth Planet, and Moxie, while collaborating with pioneering electronic and experimental musicians such as Gino Robair, Steve Roden, and Jack Wright. Beyond performance, Stackpole runs Stray Dog Recording Services, supporting the broader experimental music community.