4/11 | Thollem’s Hot Pursuit Of Happiness w/ Glassmen, Space Tugboat and Stray Passage @ The Frequency

Wed, 4/11 | @ The Frequency

121 W Main St, Madison, WI 53703

Doors 7pm // Show 7:30pm

18+ ID Required
$8 (+$3 minor surcharge @ door)

Thollem
Glassmen
Space Tugboat
Brennan Connors & Stray Passage

//////////////////////////////thollem-at-luggage-store-cropped_3THOLLEM (On Tour)
With a synthesizer and a microphone, Thollem’s Hot Pursuit Of Happiness forges elements of Punk Rock, Blue and Psychedelia, among many other influences. Including new songs and solo arrangements of Tsigoti songs, with “fluid keys pulverization” (Brad Cohan, Spin Magazine), Thollem’s work is ”political debauchery and a forward vocal delivery … that comes a-swingin’ right out of the gate” (Chocolate Grinder, Tiny Mix Tapes)

Over the last decade, Thollem’s toured non-stop internationally, recording with over a hundred different musicians from a wide variety of genres resulting in more than 60 albums on 22 different vanguard labels. As a vocalist, Thollem’s been releasing albums the last 10 years with his Italian agit-punk band Tsigoti (5th album soon), Hand To Man Band (Mike Watt, John Dieterich, Tim Barnes) and Andy Kaufman plus his initial solo album ‘Machine in The Ghost’. He’s planning on releasing the first HPOH album later this year.

Thollem has performed and recorded with members of Deerhoof, The Minutemen, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Half Japanese, Wilco, Unwound, Old Time Relijun, Cibo Matto, Jealousy Party, Stars Like Fleas, Tenderizor and more. 

www.thollem.com/hot-pursuit-of-happiness

Personal Note: Thollem McDonas is one of my favorite perma-tour Experimental artists.  He has been very influential to my free improvisation explorations in the last decade.  I’m thrilled to share a bill with him once again!  Also, I can’t wait to see Angela, I always learn so much from her.  It’s been a couple of years, they are beautiful people and there’s much to catch up on.  Thollem has collaborated with GrimmusiK Records in the past on both the Colias experimental/ambient compilation, live free-improv collaborations at Dobra Tea, and with a marvelous performance at our Audio For the Arts series (can’t seem to hunt down the live recording for that, unfortunately).  Thollem has an overwhelming discography, check out his extensive releases here.  < So much wonderful music to explore in his collaboration filled catalog.

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Brennan Connors & Stray Passage (Madison, WI) is a jazz trio that embraces free and structured improvisation, original compositions, groove based material, and sound exploration. The breadth of a performance ranges from fiery high energy music to focused minimalism, all while maintaining a sense of narrative organization and compelling ensemble interplay.  “Emergence” CD (setola di miale) available at the show!

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Glassmen (Madison, WI) is experimental indie rock with guitar, organ pedals, drums, and vibrato. The sound, sometimes jarring, is fragile, sharp, and reflective — like glass.

Sarah Jennings Evans started Glassmen in 2012 after being diagnosed with a rare joint condition that left her unable to use her arms.  She created music with voice, organ pedals, and loops of old recordings.  Guitar came back as her arms recovered.  Meanwhile, multi-instrumentalist Vivian Lin (TUO TUO) kept busy playing in other people’s side projects (The Party Drug, The Divine Hammers), but was looking for a musical home.  She joined Glassmen in 2015 to add drums and vocals.

Personal Note:  I’ve been meaning to get on a bill with Glassmen for a couple of years now and it’s finally going down!  ^ Check out this live version of Needle, love the sound.  Excited to hear their live set!

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Space Tugboat (Madison, WI) is dark catchy punk rock, with a twist of demented humor of reality. 

Personal Note:  Big thanks to Dan from Space Tugboat for hooking up the show and taking care of booking.  Dan has supported Stray Passage for years and given us opportunities to play.  Now we finally get to share a bill together!!


 

7/11 | Jonah Parzen-Johnson + BC Grimm @ A+LL

Pre-order the new album!

Tues, 7/11 | 8p $8adv/10do @ Arts + Literature Laboratory

2021 Winnebago St, Madison, WI 53704

JONAH PARZEN-JOHNSON (Brooklyn, NY)

BC GRIMM (Madison, WI)

Brooklyn based saxophonist and composer Jonah Parzen-Johnson performs at Arts + Literature Laboratory on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, with Madison multi-instrumentalist Brian Grimm opening. Tickets are $8 in advance online at http://parzenjohnson.bpt.me/ or $10 at the door. Online sales end one hour before the show.

Jonah plays lofi experimental folk music for solo baritone saxophone and analog synthesizer. Imagine the raw energy of an Appalachian choir, balanced by a fearlessly exposed saxophone voice, resting on a strikingly unique combination of analog synthesizer components sitting on the floor in front of him. It all breathes together, as Jonah uses his feet to weave square and sawtooth waves into a surging base for folk inspired saxophone melodies, overblown multi phonics, vocalizations, and patiently developed circular breathing passages. Every element is performed and recorded at the same time, by one person, without any looping, overdubbing or recorded samples. “I want to make music that has texture, and depth, but most of all I want it to be direct and grounded. Touring and playing solo is all about being connected to the folks listening. I want you to feel like I’m looking you in the eye while I’m playing.”

Click for Tix!


In BC Grimm’s solo set, you may hear dances of the unaccompanied Bach cello suites; ever popular melodies of the Erhu Chinese fiddle adapted for cello; as well as original compositions from his dance/theatre scores & solo albums. Cellist & composer Brian Grimm grew up surrounded by Chinese string instruments of every sort. After initiating lessons in with virtuosos Yang Wei (pipa) & Daxun Zhang (bass) of the Silkroad Ensemble, Brian was lucky to continue his Chinese music studies on guqin (zither), pipa (lute), gaohu (fiddle) & daruan (bass lute) in Hong Kong with members of the 香港中樂團 Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra & Wuji Ensemble 無極樂團. Over the last 15 years Grimm has developed a deep language of Free Improvisation & Composition with groups such as The Brothers Grimm, Lovely Socialite, and Brennan Connors & Stray Passage.

BCG @ Milwaukee Release of “Orbis Obscura”


7/5 – 7/8 | Omaha Under The Radar

Click for Tix!

July 5th – 8th, 2017 | Omaha, Nebraska

OMAHA UNDER THE RADAR

Omaha Under the Radar is an annual experimental performance festival and educational workshop in the Midwest.

Explore the fourth annual festival lineup on our site, and prepare to experience the diverse work of artists responding to our times.

The 2017 festival features the radical chamber opera, “Eight Songs for a Mad King” by Peter Maxwell Davies.


Event locatioins:
Project Project, Joslyn Art Museum, OutrSpaces, KANEKO, and Reverb Lounge

Reserve tickets online:
http://www.undertheradaromaha.com/2017-schedule

$40 | full festival pass
$75 | VIP pass


Since the first festival, held in 2014, Omaha Under the Radar has presented over 300 artists from more than 20 cities throughout the United States. We work to represent a multiplicity of genres, ideas, and identities through performances, talks, group discussions and educational opportunities.

Omaha Under the Radar is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization. To make a tax-deductible donation in support of our programming efforts, visit our SUPPORT page.


Thr 7/6 8pm  |  BC Grimm’s 35min sci-fi tone poem “Orbis Obscura” for Pipa & Electronics @ OutrSpaces


Full Festival Line Up

Artists websites: http://www.undertheradaromaha.com/2017-artists

July 5, 2017 | 7:00PM | ​ $10 or Full Festival Pass
EVENT 1 | PROJECT PROJECT
Scott Shinbara, Tomm Roland, and Jason Domonkos
Philip Kolbo

July 5, 2017 | 8:00PM
ARTIST AND VIP PARTY | HIFI HOUSE
An opening party for the artists and VIP ticket holders for Omaha Under the Radar 2017​.

July 6, 2017 | 5:00PM | FREE
EVENT 2 | JOSLYN ART MUSEUM
Chinook Collaborative Ensemble
tbd Dance Collective
Elizabeth Baker & Helen Hansen French
Vivian Kim and ensemble​

July 6, 2017 | 8:00PM | $10 or Full Festival Pass
EVENT 3 | OUTRSPACES
Nebraska Modern Dance Theatre
Brian Grimm
Chicago Academy for the Arts
Split the Stick
Dana Jessen
Menmosyne Quartet

July 7, 2017 | 6:00PM | $10 or Full Festival Pass
EVENT 4 | KANEKO
SOUNDRY Showcase
Areon Flutes
Duo Noire

July 7, 2017 | 8:00PM | ​ $10 or Full Festival Pass
EVENT 5 | OUTRSPACES
Kat Fackler and Lori Reckling
andPlay and David Bird
Emilie Rackley, Amanda Sealock, and Nicholas Swoboda
tbd dance collective

July 7, 2017 | 11:00PM | $10 or Full Festival Pass
EVENT 6 | OUTRSPACES
Eight Songs for a Mad King
by Peter Maxwell Davies

Featuring John J. Pearse, baritone
Stacey Barelos, piano; Scott Shinbara, percussion, Mary Perkinson, violin;
Hannah Mayer, cello; Samuel Bertino, clarinet; Erika Nightingale, flute

Directed by Barry Carman
Design by Jenny Pool

July 8, 2017 | 12:00PM  | FREE
EVENT 7 | KANEKO
Zeitgeist
Carly Sinn
Colloquy
Cassia Kite, SOUNDSTITCHING

July 8, 2017 | 3:00PM | $10 or Full Festival Pass
EVENT 8 | OUTRSPACES
New Chamber Ballet
Liz Pearse
Departure Duo
​​
July 8, 2017 | 8:00PM | $10 or Full Festival Pass
EVENT 9 | REVERB LOUNGE
Karma LiLoLa
David Smooke
ridgelines
Obelus
Warp Trio


 

5/12 | NICK ZOULEK & ALEKS TENGESDAL (Bowling Green, OH) + Lundberg/Grimm @ Gates Of Heaven

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Thr, 5/12  |  Gates of Heaven, James Madison Park
7pm doors  $5-10 suggested donation

On Tour: NICK ZOULEK & ALEKS TENGESDAL (Bowling Green, OH)

730p – Solo Sets by:
Nick Zoulek – saxophonics
Aleks Tengesdal – cello
800p – Duo Set by:
Rob Lundberg – double bass
Brian Grimm – cello, Chinese strings, stuff
830p – Duo Set by:
Nick Zoulek & Alek Tengesdal
900p – chaos, riots & cookie hour

Aleks Tengesdal is a cellist/composer based out of Bowling Green, Ohio. His current work includes writing music for the cello and collaborating with his fellow DMA colleagues at Bowling Green State University in the regional New Music scene. A cello album called Songs of Kralizec will be available soon. An experimental/progressive solo metal project, Weapons of Indignation, has recently been released:

A modern artist with an impassioned eye toward the unification of contemporary art and sound, saxophonist Nick Zoulek‘s focus on collaboration, improvisation, and commissioning new works has led to a diverse portfolio of distinctive performances and artistic ventures. Nick has worked with dancers, multimedia artists, and fellow saxophonists to advance audience’s perceptions of the saxophone’s capabilities, markedly displayed on his debut album, Rushing Past Willow. Also active as a teacher and researcher into the saxophone’s role in contemporary music, Nick is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Contemporary Music Performance at Bowling Green State University with the guidance of Distinguished Artist Professor Dr. John Sampen. Nick holds a Master of Music Performance from BGSU, a Certificat des Études Musicales from the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régionale de Boulogne-Billancourt, and a Bachelor of Music Performance with Magna Cum Laude honors from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

New Upcoming Record Release
RUSHING PAST WILLOW (INNOVA Records)
featuring the music of Nick Zoulek
www.nickzoulek.com