Composed by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Ted Hearne and commissioned by The Crossing, Farming confronts technology’s encroachment on humanity by repurposing primary texts from William Penn and Jeff Bezos — colliding ersatz Americana, digitally altered choral writing, and hyperpop maximalism. The New York Times called its live debut “a suggestive, chaotically ambitious, often poignant reflection” on colonization and consumption.
Maren is a featured soloist on this album, singing the role of William Penn, with solos on “Microwork” (track 2), “Gift Economy” (track 5), and “Country” (track 6).