Press Release: The Gates Ensemble - 16 october 03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

contact:
Brent Fariss / spectral house
spectral@austin.rr.com

GATES ENSEMBLE RELEASES DEBUT CD FEATURING MUSIC BY TRAVIS WELLER

JANUARY 11, 2006 (AUSTIN, TEXAS) 

Spectral House has released 16 October 03 (sh 006) by The Gates Ensemble featuring a composition by Travis Weller, "reinforce one another, conditions for contraction" that was written for the group.  Also included is a group improvisation that showcases the Gates Ensemble's ability to listen and respond to each other.  The CD was recorded live at the Ballet Austin Academy and is the second CD for the Gates Ensemble following the ultra-limited debut released on Spectral House (sh 003) in 2002. 16 October 03 is available in local record stores and at www.spectralhouse.com.


About The Gates Ensemble:

The Gates Ensemble is Texas' premiere electro-acoustic improv group.  Together since September 2001, The Gates Ensemble for this recording consisted of 6 musicians:

Brent Fariss: contrabass
Jacob Green: piano and electronics
Holland Hopson: banjo and electronics
Josh Ronsen: clarinet and piano
Bill Thompson: electronics
Travis Weller: violin and electronics

Each of these musicians is active as composer/improvisers in the burgeoning experimental scene in Central Texas with groups such as Austin New Music Co-op, Cinders, Imbroglio String Quartet, Brekekekexkoaxkoax, Frequency Curtain, Austin Cobra Players, and numerous solo projects.

Travis Weller has said of the Gates Ensemble, "I wouldn't have written this piece if I hadn't known it would be played by an ensemble with such fantastic improvisational and interpretive skills.  For some time I have been intrigued by lines between improvisation and composition, stability and instability. It's been a pleasure exploring that territory with the Gates ensemble. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them."

Sample 1 - Reinforce one another, Conditions for contraction (excerpt)

Sample 2 - untitled improvisation (excerpt)

"...fluent and imaginative, sustained electronic drones and whines weaving among dramatic instrumental clusters." - The Wire

Review - from Vital Weekly, #509

THE GATES ENSEMBLE - 16 OCTOBER 03 (CD by Spectral House)

Two extended pieces of group-improvisation from an ensemble from Austin, Texas.
As the title indicates the recordings are made a few years ago, but now they found their way to the audience through Spectral House, an independent label based in Austin focusing on modern experimental music. In 2002 the ensemble released their first CD on this label in a very limited edition. The ensemble was formed in 2001 and is specialized in electro-acoustic music. The first piece 'Reinforce one another, conditions for contraction' is a graphic score by Travis Weller (violin, computer). "The six performers are given graphic instructions to create sound events at specific times. Each sound event has a degree of 'density' and 'consistency'. Since no instructions for pitch, timbre, and loudness are given, the performers improvise between the boundaries of stability and space with the goal of spontaneous musical collaboration." Besides Weller we hear: Brent Fariss (contrabass, electronics), Jacob Green (piano on first track, sampler), Holland Hopson (banjo!, computer), Josh Ronsen (clarinet, piano on second track), Bill Thompson (computer, electronics). All musicians are involved with the Austin New Music Co-Op. The second piece as an untitled improvisation that I liked even more. It's a very dynamic and impressive improvisation that has more soul then the first piece. Both pieces were recorded live at the Ballet Austin Academy. Alas the recording sound as if there was only one microphone on stage. But both pieces make clear that these six improvisers are great musicians who are able to produce some cohesive music in their explorations of pure sound. Careful listening is demanded and rewarded. If you want a point of reference, I would say they belong to the tradition that started with AMM. On the other hand, with their organized improvisations they shake hands with people like Butch Morris or John Zorn. (Dolf Mulder)

Address: http://www.spectralhouse.com/


About spectral house:

Spectral House is an independent label based in Austin, Texas focusing on modern experimental music. Brent Fariss and Bill Thompson formed Spectral House in 2001 to debut their own works, as well as the music of many other exciting composers who had not yet been released on CD.  The debut release on Spectral House was Bill Thompson's Homage to the New York School (sh 001) released in 2001. Spectral House plans to continue their focus on independent-minded musicians pushing the boundaries of modern music.  Upcoming projects for 2006 include releases by Lionel Marchetti / Olivier Capparos, Radu Malfatti, Brent Fariss, and Bill Thompson.

For more information, please contact:

Brent Fariss / spectral house
2007 Ploverville Lane
Austin, TX  78728
Phone: (512) 577-9934
E-mail: brent@spectralhouse.com
Web: www.spectralhouse.com