How does music build, reflect, and disrupt tension?

Named after the iconic Miles Davis album, In a Silent Way blended narrative journalism, musical performance, and audio experimentation to explore how sound shapes emotion. Presented by Back Pocket Media at San Francisco’s Herbst Theatre in June 2024, the event featured award-winning storytellers and marked a return to the studio’s hometown after months of national programming.

Challenges

1. Venue Scale: As Back Pocket’s biggest show to date, filling the Herbst Theatre posed logistical and promotional hurdles.

2. Audience Reconnection: The team sought to re-engage their San Francisco audience after focusing on national shows.

3. Original Production: They aimed to debut new, event-specific work instead of repurposing existing content.

Solution

1. Scaled Production: A carefully chosen lineup and local promotion helped fill the venue and manage the show’s complexity.

2. Local Focus: The event spotlighted SF-based storytellers and media partners like KQED and KALW to rebuild local ties.

3. New Work: The team developed original pieces, including a standout collaboration with incarcerated artists from San Quentin, created exclusively for the show.

Results

• Sold-Out Venue: The show filled the Herbst Theatre, marking a milestone for Back Pocket Media.

• Resonant Impact: The Pelican piece, co-produced with incarcerated collaborators, was so well received that it was later featured at both Detroit and Philly Story Fest.

• Expanded Reach: Partnering with KQED, KALW, and Hide FM boosted Back Pocket’s local media footprint and audience cross-pollination.

• Elevated Format: The multimedia, mixed-genre format pushed Back Pocket’s storytelling toolkit forward, offering a fresh blend of journalism, performance, and live audio design.

“Oh my god, each and every performance was captivating. The stories blew me away and were so incredibly well told… More please!”

Reflection

The show was an exercise in contrast: how silence can mark a beginning or an end. Stories explored how music could both liberate and confine. By returning to their home base and creating space for local voices, In a Silent Way re-established Back Pocket Media’s San Francisco roots while opening up a new chapter of bold, creative storytelling.

“We were interested in how music could translate feeling across distance—and how silence itself can be the most tense moment in a story.”

—Tay Glass, Producer & Performer