Hans Blix wields weapons of mass improvisation. Consisting of a guitarist (with laptop), a bass-keyboard player, and a drummer, the trio improvises complex, dense, ambient and aggressive pieces of music that defy classification.

10 MP3 Songs
ELECTRONIC: Experimental, JAZZ: Free Jazz

Show all album songs: What's The Highest Number You Can Think Of? Songs


Details:
Taking their name from the Chief U.N Weapons inspector, Hans Blix is a Brooklyn based trio of musicians who wield weapons of mass improvisation. Former students at the Center For Improvisational Music under the tutelage of Ralph Alessi as well as graduates of NYUâs Music program all the members are experienced players with serious jazz and post-rock credentials. Some of the membersâ other projects include Cougar (whom The Wire described as "a gleaming gem...gloriously precise and urgent"), Sadred and Irondog Possessing the fluidity of fusion ala Mahavishnu, the textured soundscapes of electronica ala Squarepusher and quiet/loud indie rock dynamics of a Blonde Redhead this is music that captures your attention with epic playing chops but also entrances with ambient tones. Guitarist Dan Venne says of the writing process âTo begin a new piece we sometimes have an agreement as to a starting note, key, tempo, or an overall vibe of the piece. Just as often as we make a premeditated agreement on how to start a piece, we will commence an improvisation with no set plans and instead rely on instant communication between band members (and to a certain degree, luck).â Mixed by Elijah B Torn (noted electronic musician from NY) the songs were assembled from the best parts of the improvisational work that the band recorded in the drummerâs kitchen!

Also unique in the bandâs sound is the instrumentation in the line-up. For example Venne runs his guitar through a laptop utilizing the software Ableton Live. This allows him to layer up to 4 parts at once, improvising the loops he has created by pulling them in and out of the mix and processing their sounds in real time. Brian Scherman is a much sought after Alto Saxophonist but his main instrument in Hans Blix is the Microkorg, a synth that he focuses playing bass grooves and hooks on. James Windsor Wells plays a traditional drum kit but provides both drive and explosive energy to the music.