Charles Baker Stern (June 22, 1979 – December 10, 2023) was an American composer, musician, writer, and visual artist known for his work in experimental music. He was frontman and composer of Time of Orchids, played in Sculptress, and released solo and band works under the name Stern. He was born and lived in New York City. He died on December 10, 2023, at the age of 44.
Career Stern was a programmer for public-access television station Manhattan Neighborhood Network. He co-created Roboshithead, which The Village Voice called "the best public access show in New York," and It Changed :(, which won the 2011 Hometown Video Original Teleplay Award.
From 1999 to 2007, Stern was the frontman and composer for experimental band Time of Orchids. Over the band's tenure, its lineup included Eric Fitzgerald, Jesse Krakow, David Bodie, Kim Abrams, Will Redmond, and Charlie Looker, with guest performances from Tim Byrnes, Maryanna Hansen, jazz pianist Marilyn Crispell, Kate Pierson of The B-52's, and Julee Cruise of Twin Peaks. Time of Orchids released six albums; two were self-released, with others appearing on Relapse, Epicene, Tzadik, and Cuneiform.
In 2008, Stern and Charlie Looker formed a duo project, Sculptress.
Also in 2008, after announcing the end of Time of Orchids, Stern began a new solo project releasing music under his last name. "Stern" eventually grew into a quartet including former Kayo Dot members Abrams, Byrnes, and Toby Driver, with releases by the band formation including Bone Turquoise (New Atlantis, 2015) and Missive: Sister Ships (Sleeping Giant Glossolalia, 2018).
Stern later returned to solo project status with Sunder Hawk (2020). The album features guest performances from Abrams, Erin Mount, and Stern's mother, Ellen Stern, who died in 2023. Stern's final release was Black Votive (2022).
Discography
As leader Year Artist Title Label Personnel2001Time of OrchidsMelonwhisperRelapse / AquariusStern, Charlie Looker, Will Redmond, Jesse Krakow, Kim Abrams ft. guest Marilyn Crispell2003Time of OrchidsMuch Too Much FunStern, Krakow, Abrams, Eric Fitzgerald, ft. guest Kate Pierson2004Time of OrchidsEarly As Seen in PaceEpiceneStern, Krakow, Abrams, Eric Fitzgerald2005Time of OrchidsSarcast WhileTzadikStern, Krakow, Fitzgerald, David Bodie ft. guests Tim Byrnes, Maryanna Hansen, Julee Cruise2007Time of OrchidsNamesake CautionCuneiformStern, Krakow, Fitzgerald, Bodie2010Time of OrchidsIn Due TimeStern, Krakow, Abrams, Fitzgerald, Bodie, Looker2010SternDredge Up Eventide Stern ft. guests Byrnes, Victoria Kereszi2010SternThe Largo SanctumStern ft. guests Laura Vickers, Ian Garrick-Bethell, Katie Stern, Wendell Edwards2011SternPath XStern ft. guest Looker2012SternEntitlementStern, Abrams, Byrnes, Toby Driver2015SternBone TurquoiseNew AtlantisStern, Abrams, Byrnes, Driver2018SternMissive: Sister ShipsSleeping Giant GlossolaliaStern, Abrams, Byrnes, Driver2020SternSunder HawkStern ft. guests Abrams, Erin Mount, Ellen Stern2022SternBlack VotiveStern
References
External links
Archive of stern.band