Nonsemble presents “Practical Mechanics”
Independent Chamber Group Nonsemble draw post-rock and underground influences into classical compositional craft, launching their debut release Practical Mechanics on June 7 at The Box, West End.
Nonsemble is a chamber group which draws on eclectic musical influences to fill a space somewhere between the conservatoire and the underground. It tips its hat equally to Mogwai and Stravinsky; to Flying Lotus and Steve Reich.
Formed in 2012 by composer Chris Perren (of Mr. Maps, lofly/hangar), Nonsemble features some of Brisbane’s most talented instrumentalists, including Hik Sugimoto on percussion, Sam Mitchell, on piano, Flora Wong and Sam Andrews on violin, Kieran Welch on viola, and Briony Luttrell on Cello.
In the short time since their inception the ensemble have performed at Restrung Festival at Brisbane Powerhouse with top classical and new music ensembles such as Ensemble Offspring and Syzygy, and at Harvest Festival 2012 alongside acts such as Beck, Sigur Ros and Grizzly Bear.
Their forthcoming release, Practical Mechanics is an ode to technological optimism, and playfully explores the belief that science can solve all human problems. The titles and text excerpts are taken from the tattered pages of vintage issues of Practical Mechanics Magazine, a home science and technology magazine published between 1933 and 1963.
The 25-minute work sprawls across 5 movements, as driving mechanical rhythms evoke the constant and steady engine of progress, and lush melodic strings allude to a human heart behind the machine. Practical Mechanics is a culmination of composer Chris Perren’s 15 years of writing music in noisy post-rock and math-rock bands, solitary computer isolation, and formal composition training, and embodies the refinement of a unique compositional voice. It was recorded at UQ’s Nickson Room, one of Brisbane’s most renowned acoustic spaces, and engineered and produced by members of the ensemble. It will be released through the lofly recording collective.
On June 7 Nonsemble play Practical Mechanics in full accompanied by hypnotic visuals, along with a selection of other works. They are supported by genre-defying multi-instrumentalist Kathryn McKee, and ambient wizard Sadglint.
Nonsemble - Practical Mechanics Launch
Friday, 7 June at The Box
29 Vulture St, West End, Brisbane.
Doors at 7pm, entry $15
Tix: http://nonsemble.bandcamp.com/album/practical-mechanicsFor more info please email nonsemblemusic@gmail.com
To buy tickets or pre-order the release, go to http://nonsemble.bandcamp.com/album/practical-mechanics