Macie Stewart: Chicago’s Multi-Instrumental Master of Equilibrium
Macie Stewart is a highly versatile and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, composer, songwriter, and improviser based in Chicago, Illinois. Praised by DownBeat magazine as “a master of equilibrium,” Stewart effortlessly navigates the worlds of experimental jazz, avant-pop, contemporary classical composition, and indie rock, distinguishing herself as one of the most sought-after collaborators in the modern music scene.
Early Musical Life and Versatility
Stewart’s deep connection to music began in childhood. Encouraged by her father, who was also a musician, she started learning piano at age three and violin at age five, establishing a foundational technical mastery. This formal training in classical music provided the structure from which she later launched into the spontaneity of improvisation and the experimental music scene.
Her versatility is reflected in her command of multiple instruments, including piano, violin, guitar, voice, and synthesizers, allowing her to be equally effective as a bandleader, solo artist, or session arranger.
Key Projects and Collaborations
Stewart’s career is defined by a dynamic balance between her own projects and extensive work as a composer and instrumentalist for others.
Finom (Formerly OHMME)
Stewart is the co-founder of the experimental duo Finom (previously named OHMME) with Sima Cunningham. Formed in 2014, the duo is celebrated for its art-rock sound, complex vocal harmonies, and adventurous sonic textures. They have released several acclaimed records, including Fantasize Your Ghost (2020) and the 2024 album Not God.
Go-To Collaborator and Arranger
As a professional string arranger and multi-instrumentalist, Stewart has contributed to a diverse and distinguished roster of artists, including:
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SZA (performing and arranging)
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Chance The Rapper
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Japanese Breakfast (touring multi-instrumentalist)
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Tweedy (the band led by Jeff Tweedy)
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Whitney
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Makaya McCraven
In the avant-garde scene, she has been a member of influential groups like Ken Vandermark’s Marker ensemble and the improvised trio The Few.
Solo Career and Compositional Depth
Macie Stewart’s solo work allows her to focus on her unique voice as a singer-songwriter and composer.
Solo Albums
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Mouth Full of Glass (2021): Her debut solo record, which she self-recorded, arranged, and produced during the pandemic. It was praised for its “lush, baroque-tinged folk” and sophisticated string arrangements, exploring themes of solitude and self-discovery.
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When the Distance is Blue (2025): Released on the International Anthem label, this album represents a cinematic and symphonic pivot. It is rooted in prepared piano improvisations, ambient soundscapes, and string quartet compositions. Stewart described the record as “a love letter to the moments we spend in-between.”
Dance and Installation Commissions
Stewart’s compositional skills extend beyond traditional albums, with her work dissolving boundaries between musical and visual art forms:
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She co-composed a piece for Hubbard Street Dance’s 2021 film, “Half of Us”.
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In 2022, she composed the score for a 50-piece orchestra premiering the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s work, “Before I Was”.
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In late 2024, she contributed a twenty-minute composition titled “The World Doubles in Size” for the ESS Florisonic Installation at the Lincoln Park Conservatory.
Macie Stewart continues to be a central and boundary-pushing figure in contemporary music, effortlessly connecting genres and creative communities.
This video provides an in-studio performance of Macie Stewart’s work, demonstrating her skill as an improviser and composer.Macie Stewart, with gabby fluke-mogul: “Mouthful of Glass” (In-Studio)