Phoenix Evan Leo Libsch is a composer, pianist, audio engineer, sound designer, and music theorist from Oakland, California. Currently studying Music and Data Analysis at Wesleyan University, their work moves fluidly between experimental sound worlds, intimate songwriting, and research-driven exploration.
A pianist since the age of five, Phoenix has studied under Noah Baerman and Alcee Chriss III, developing a versatile musical language rooted in improvisation, contemporary classical practice, and jazz-informed harmony. Their audio engineering experience includes work with 25th Street Recording in Oakland, where they refined their approach to recording, mixing, and producing. At Wesleyan, they have continued to explore the intersection of acoustic performance and sound synthesis under the mentorship of Paula Matthusen and James Praznick.
Under the moniker Calico, Phoenix has released two solo albums, Little Gods and The Time Will Pass Anyway, both projects that blend synthesized electronic textures with lyrical, folk-inflected songwriting. They have performed with numerous ensembles across genres and recorded piano on Feist’s most recent album, Multitudes.
Phoenix’s compositional work spans film, video games, and multimedia projects, with several ongoing film scores currently in development. Their academic and creative research centers on microtonal music theory, where they are developing new approaches to harmony, tuning systems, and cross-EDO musical structures.
They have performed internationally, including in London with the experimental vocal ensemble The Vocal Constructivists, bringing their interest in exploratory sound and interdisciplinary collaboration to audiences abroad.