LOLA (London Ontario Live Arts) presents Grouper, Julia Kent at Museum London Thursday June 10th.
GROUPER (US)
Grouper is the assumed name of Northern Californian artist Liz Harris, and over the last few years she has quickly nudged herself into the underground spotlight with her peculiarly disarming music. Her journey began with the haunting midnight ambience of 'Way Their Crept' released on ex-Deerhoof member Rob Fisk's Free Porcupine Society label in 2005. The record was instantly praised by British site Volcanic Tongue who described it as a 'wildcard late entry for album of the year', and its woozy blend of William Basinski-esque drone and breathy vocals slowly garnered the attention of music fans around the world.
What followed over the next few years was a handful of stunning releases, from 'Wide' (again on FPS) to the haunting collaborative recording with Xiu Xiu entitled 'Creepshow'. With each release Liz grew in confidence and refined her unique style, coming to a head with the limited 'Cover the Windows and the Walls' LP on Root Strata which sold out in a matter of weeks. In 2008 she released the album which defined her sound; 'Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill' and through cult British imprint Type Records she finally reached the wider audience she deserved.
The album achieved an unprecedented amount of critical acclaim, with respected US webzine Pitchfork mentioning it in their top albums of 2008, touting it as 'druggy and sexy and arty and pretty, but never pretentious'. In 2009 she toured the USA in support of Animal Collective (one of the world's biggest alternative acts), released split 7”s with City Center and Pumice and continues to stun audiences worldwide with her truly unique songs.
JULIA KENT (US)
"Julia Kent has lent her considerable talents as a cellist to the likes of Antony & The Johnsons, Rufus Wainwright, Devendra Banhart, Angels Of Light, Larsen and Mi & Lau to name but a few. Delay is Kent's beautiful debut of multitracked cello music. It's baffling to think that there's only one person working on this record, it sounds every bit as if a full ensemble were at work. Kent's solo work is characterised by a clear knowledge of modern classical music and a very lyrical, often cinematic set of composition principles. The opening chords of 'Gardermoen' confirm that Kent has a particular knack for a kind of aching romanticism, full of rich melodicism and detailed arrangements. Interspersing the cello pieces are an assortment of interloping vignettes made up of found sounds. These tend to take the form of recordings from busy public spaces, and give some valuable contrast to Kent's incredibly emotive, up-close and personal cello performances. It's great to hear someone who's been previously relegated to supporting roles making such a complex and satisfying body of recordings for her debut solo album."
Boomkat
M. MUCCI (CAN)
Michael Mucci mentions 6 strings and the “legend of Blind Joe Death and Guitar Roberts” as his basic elements, like a building forth on the guitar approaches of John Fahey and Loren Mazzacane Conners. Most often we hear circular picking movements with the melody on top, and slower waves of space and time beneath. Elsewhere small distorted or droning effects appear. Electrified touches are added too, but mostly the spirit of Fahey is stretched, tunes are sparsely given, the mood is present - minimal but energetic. Railway lines of compositions unravel.
LES BEYOND
Erin Ward of Shearing Pinx fame enjoys conspiracy theories, activism and David Lynch while melding her space score of melodic free pop. Check it!
SITES / LINKS
http://www.myspace.com/grouperrepuorg
http://www.juliakent.com
http://www.myspace.com/lesbeyond
ADMISSION
$12 in advanced
$15 at the door
Tickets available at Grooves Records and Eventbrite
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/715064778
MUSEUM LONDON
http://www.museumlondon.ca
PERFORMANCE TIMES
8pm - Les Beyond
9pm - M. Mucci
10pm - Julia Kent
11pm - Grouper
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