Olivia Block

Based in Chicago, she is a media artist and composer whose practice spans field recordings, electroacoustic composition, and multichannel sound installation. Originally a rock guitarist in Austin, Texas, she relocated to Chicago in 1996 and has since released critically acclaimed recordings on Sedimental, Black Truffle, Erstwhile, Room40, and Touch. Albums including Heave To, Karren, and The Mountains Pass combine processed field recordings with orchestral textures. She has taught sound at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Northwestern University, and received the Alvin Lucier Award from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts in 2026.