Pest Repeller by Joseph Clayton Mills

“The insect is not to be drawn. It is not even to be seen from a distance.” -Franz Kafka

Pest Repeller was assembled from multiple in situ recordings of a Black & Decker EP1100-A Ultrasonic Pest Repeller, which offers the choice of three sound patterns—"rodents," "insects and rodents," and "insects"—and three volume settings—loud, medium, and quiet.

This recording is offered as an oblique critique of the current state of US immigration policy, an exploration of shifting figure-ground relationships using simple overlapping rhythms, and a wry comment on the relationship between "experimental music" and the general listening public. It should also be understood as an invitation to perform an act of disciplined, purposeful listening, with a strong moral and ethical valence, through engaging in imaginative solidarity with the titular pest.

Low-to-moderate volume is recommended, although it is certainly not required.

Joseph Clayton Mills Is an artist, composer, and performer working at the intersection of language, composition, and archival practice. He is an active participant in Chicago's improvised and experimental music community, where his collaborators have included Adam Sonderberg and Steven Hess (as Haptic), Michael Vallera (as Maar), Noé Cuéllar, Jason Stein, Michael Pisaro, and Olivia Block.