Welcome back to another episode of The Art of It All, where we consider the countless ways that art shapes our lives, no matter the discipline or medium of expression. On this episode, I’m overjoyed to be joined today by multidisciplinary artist and musician, Cleo Reed!
Ella Josephine Julia Moore is a multi-disciplinary artist whose practices uses participatory art, music composition, instrument-making, bandleading, installation and fabric arts. Under the alias Cleo Reed, they complete musical projects that are rooted in their ancestral & cultural lineage. They work toward a future that enables them to realize intentional creative endeavors and encourage joy within collaborative spaces such as museums, theaters, and unseen spaces. In their practice, they are currently drawn to notions of tradition, dissolving the binary, making noise, and breaking the barrier between artist and audience.
Reed’s sophomore LP, CUNTRY, is a sprawling folk-electronic offering exploring the rage that comes with grappling with the grips of labor — both on the body and in the American workplace. The album is just the beginning of the story — introducing a young, visionary artist with a singular voice and an unwavering commitment to honoring those that came before while subverting the status quo.
This episode was recorded on July 22, 2025 in Chicago, IL and originally published on Patreon on September 16, 2025.