🎶 Vermont Artist of the Week 🎶
Image from Julian Calv
Vermont Artist Spotlight: Julian Calv!
Composer, trimbist, street-artist, and now Maple City Music’s first consigner with exclusive 7″ and CD releases. Dive deep into his hypnotic rhythms and support original, local sound. Dropping soon in our “Local Artist” shop! Discover his albums Route 4, Thorn & Roots, and debut LP Nonstop Motion. His percussion pulse revives NYC street music right here in Vermont. Stream now and support local artistry!”
About Julian Calv
Julian Calv is an American composer, singer, and trimbist based in Vermont. Born in 1999 in New Brunswick, NJ, he graduated from Moravian University in 2021 with a bachelor’s in music (composition, education, classical piano). During his studies, he specialized in the work of avant-garde composer Moondog and apprenticed under Moondog’s only student, Stefan Lakatos, earning him the title of “Moondog’s grand student”.
Julian constructs and plays invented instruments like the trimba and selects the oo, preserving Moondog's unique percussive traditions while infusing them with his own compositional voice.
Discography & Musical Works
• Route 4 (2023)
A place-based percussion composition featuring samples of Interstate Route 4 intertwined with trimba-driven drum collages.
• Thorn & Roots (2023)
An improvised, high-energy piece inspired by a juice bar’s street-side performance, featuring a syncopated dance of trimba and balafon.
• Nonstop Motion (Album, Nov 9, 2024)
Julian’s debut album includes nine compositions—originals and Moondog pieces—anchored by relentless trimba rhythms. It also features pianist Ava Bloomfield and the vocal sextet Non-Prophets. Notably, Julian led a moving concert of Moondog vocal rounds at Southern State Correctional Facility in July 2024, followed by a performance with Trimbtych in Brattleboro.
Media Highlights
• “The Viking of Church Street”, Seven Days, VT – A celebrated profile recognizing Julian as a contemporary custodian of Moondog’s legacy.
• Skylight Webzine interview – An in-depth exploration of Julian's street-inspired compositions and creative approach.
Why We Love Julian at Maple City Music
“Julian Calv fuses avant-garde pulse with street-level poetry. He plays Moondog’s soulful legacy through his own instruments and vision, and we’re honored to spotlight an artist who keeps real, living music alive in Vermont.”
Social & Streaming Links
• Website: juliancalv.com
• Music: Bandcamp – Julian Calv
• Instagram: @julian.trimba
• Facebook: Julian Calv Music
