Favorite Avant-____ and Indie Artists?

Started by chromium, February 26, 2008, 10:31:34 AM

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chromium

February 26, 2008, 10:31:34 AM Last Edit: July 11, 2008, 03:44:35 PM by chromium
As we are now openly professing our love for artists like Asia and John Zorn, and watching surreal Bonnie Tyler covers played on Frigidaires, I suddenly feel less self-conscious about some of my own secret indulgences.

I've been getting into a nice little band called Trio Convulsant lately.  I think what draws me in, besides the fact that each member is incredible in their own right, was the sort of role reversals that go on - moreso than your typical jazz trio.  Ches Smith (drums) plays more of an improvisational role, while Mary Halvorson (guitar) and Trevor Dunn (bass) seem to adhere more to the compositional structure and even hold down the beat in places where Smith is pushing/pulling against the tempo.  Pretty trippy stuff:

   

chromium

#1
February 26, 2008, 10:33:46 AM
Another artist I've been digging is Booster:

   http://www.myspace.com/boosterized

I'm a big synthesizer nut.  Almost as fanatical about those as I am basses, so that's what appeals to me here.  Elements of Miles, Headhunters, etc. with a modern spin.  I especially like PerMutation.

What else ya got??

gweimer

#2
February 26, 2008, 11:43:07 AM Last Edit: February 26, 2008, 04:14:20 PM by gweimer
Telling tales of drunkenness and cruelty

Barklessdog

#3
February 26, 2008, 12:12:01 PM
Quote from: chromium on February 26, 2008, 10:31:34 AM
As we are now openly professing our love for artists like Asia and John Zorn, and watching surreal Bonnie Tyler covers played on Frigidaires, I suddenly feel less self-conscious about some of my own secret indulgences.

I've been getting into a nice little band called Trio Convulsant lately.  I think what draws me in, besides the fact that each member is incredible in their own right, was the sort of role reversals that go on - moreso than your typical jazz trio.  Ches Smith (drums) plays more of an improvisational role, while Mary Halvorson (guitar) and Trevor Dunn (bass) seem to adhere more to the compositional structure and even hold down the beat in places where Smith is pushing/pulling against the tempo.  Pretty trippy stuff:

   


Great clip. First avant female guitarist I have seen.

it seems as though the crowd is ignoring the band, till they grab the bull by the horns.

I used to listen to a lot of avant music, Fred Frith, Henry Kaiser, Jack Dejenette,Sonny Sharrock & James Blood Ulmer

Great stuff and makes a sure test of who your friends really are.

chromium

#5
February 27, 2008, 10:17:53 AM Last Edit: February 27, 2008, 10:25:52 AM by chromium
Quote from: gweimer on February 26, 2008, 11:43:07 AM
Deerhoof.

I just have to say - these guys (and gal) blew me away!  Same kind of feelings I had seeing and hearing Fugazi for the first time.  Gentle, savage, raw, emotionally charged, beautiful music.  And I love seeing talented, unorthodox drummers in action.  This Greg Saunier guy is tremendous!

   
   

Too bad the audio is so crappy on the live footage I've found so far.  The studio recording of that song "C" (first link I posted) is absolutely haunting and ethereal.

Thanks!

gweimer

#6
February 27, 2008, 11:43:53 AM
Quote from: chromium on February 27, 2008, 10:17:53 AM
I just have to say - these guys (and gal) blew me away!  Same kind of feelings I had seeing and hearing Fugazi for the first time.  Gentle, savage, raw, emotionally charged, beautiful music.  And I love seeing talented, unorthodox drummers in action.  This Greg Saunier guy is tremendous!

   
   

Too bad the audio is so crappy on the live footage I've found so far.  The studio recording of that song "C" (first link I posted) is absolutely haunting and ethereal.

Thanks!


My son turned me on to them.  They do some pretty riveting prog-pop.  Their later albums are  more cohesive (The Runners Four and Friend Opportunity).  I saw them live (did write-up for I-See-Sound.com), and they were about the most intense live band I've seen in 20 years.  And Satomi, their bassist/singer, really is only about 4 feet tall.  I've posted shots of her with the Hofner before, and it looks huge on her.
Telling tales of drunkenness and cruelty

nofi

#7
February 27, 2008, 02:19:14 PM
flying lizards, again john zorn, dna(no wave nyc band), killdozer, trio(german version), terry riley, einsturzende neubauten(early stuff), sleep, art ensemble of chicago, pineal ventana, late bronze age(col. bruce hampton), and on and on.

Dave W

#8
February 27, 2008, 02:43:24 PM
Killdozer? Killdozer is avant-whatever?

I have most of their recordings, and I'm not ashamed of it, no matter what anyone else thinks.  :D

PWV

#11
February 27, 2008, 03:22:33 PM
Butch Morris!!!  I love his conducting, its more like watching a painter decide which colors to use...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_j4qxRyDxk&feature=related

nofi

#12
February 27, 2008, 04:33:46 PM Last Edit: February 27, 2008, 05:12:41 PM by nofi
killdozer is great. maybe not real avante garde but avante strange. best lyrics ever from an alleged rock band. think louder, slower, louder, slower. btw you tube stuff of them is lame. not a good representation at all. wilco?

PWV

#13
February 27, 2008, 04:56:29 PM
Quote from: nofi on February 27, 2008, 02:19:14 PM
flying lizards, again john zorn, dna(no wave nyc band), killdozer, trio(german version), terry riley, einsturzende neubauten(early stuff), sleep, art ensemble of chicago, pineal ventana, late bronze age(col. bruce hampton), and on and on.

+1 on Art Ensemble of Chicago





Dave W

#14
February 27, 2008, 11:05:25 PM
Quote from: nofi on February 27, 2008, 04:33:46 PM
killdozer is great. maybe not real avante garde but avante strange. best lyrics ever from an alleged rock band. think louder, slower, louder, slower. btw you tube stuff of them is lame. not a good representation at all. wilco?

Fortunately I have warm fuzzy memories of seeing them live in the early to mid 90s. And the music abides.
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