Willow's Apothecary Alighted

Wandering Astray presents Willow's Apothecary, the forthcoming EP by McLean Macionis under his Alighted moniker, releasing May 23, 2025. The new release features selections from the interdisciplinary performance of the same name, directed by acclaimed poet *Arisa White* and choreographer *Laurel Jenkins*, featuring *The Dance Company of Middlebury* and cellist *Robin Lane*. The show premiered on January 17th, 2025, at the Middlebury College Dance Theatre, with a subsequent performance at Mechanics' Hall in Portland, Maine, on January 25th, 2025.

Inspired by the rich mythological world of White's Post Pardon: The Opera, the music of Willow's Apothecary draws inspiration from environmental elements, some of which are woven into the fabric of the soundscape. Each track is purposefully minimal, which suits its relationship with movement. At times, the music drifts subtly in the background, guiding the listener inward—a quality reinforced by the use of meditative sounds and textures throughout the EP, from singing bowls and prayer bells to vinyl crackle and field recordings. At other times, the music dances over layers of earthly rhythms, grounding the listening experience while evoking a sense of equanimity.

Regarding the writing process, Macionis explains: "The music emerged through observation, experimentation, and play. I'm particularly inspired by how dancers express themselves through their bodies. My role was to tap into that embodied state and transform it live into a musical score that followed the performance's narrative arc, which Arisa's text and performance guided. Though our time working together in the same room was brief, we created something that speaks to our current moment—a time in which we are all unpacking our collective history and working toward healing."