Eli Keszler is a composer/multi-instrumentalist based in Providence, Rhode Island. He primarily uses percussion, bowed crotales, guitar as well as invented instruments (his harps which use strings and motors) to create his sound that balances droning harmonics with shaterring acoustic sustain and fast, free rhythm, all working in balance with his integrated installations.

In addition to his solo releases, installations, visual art and performances, Eli has performed, recorded or collaborated with artists such as Phill Niblock (performing on a new work of his for Crotales and soprano saxophone with Ashley Paul), Aki Onda, Loren Connors, Jandek (I.C.A Boston and at NYU), Roscoe Mitchell (Art Ensemble of Chicago), Anthony Coleman (recording Lapidation released by New World Records), Joe Morris, Greg Kelley (Nmperign), T Model Ford, Ran Blake, Bryan Eubanks, Ashley Paul and Steve Pyne (Redhorse). He performed in the United States premiere of Mauricio Kagel’s Der Schall at Merkin Hall in 2008 led by Anthony Coleman.

He has toured internationally finishing a 6-week European tour in December of 2009, performing at Colour Out Of Space Festival in Brighton England as well as Sound-Body-Movement in Ostrave in the Czech Republic. In addition to performing over 25 other gigs in England, France, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Serbia.

In addition to his performing, his compositions have been performed at Jordan Hall, the 1st and 2nd Church of Boston, and Boston Conservatory. He also runs Rel Records and is an accomplished visual artist whose work recalls the brain paintings of Harry Smith and the intricate line work of Ernesto Caivano as well as deriving influence from Adolf Wolffli’s art brut vision.

"Perhaps it’s merely personal, but I’m deeply moved by many of the aural and visual elements present in Eli Keszler’s music. This new LP, on the venerable ESP-Disk label, is a new high, a work of art that is as conceptually strong as it is well executed. Combining explorations of musique concrete and machine music with a sure compositional ear, and incorporating subtle elements of free improv, “Oxtirn” creates some extraordinarily unique and compelling musical architecture." Foxy Digitalis 9/10

Eli Keszler website
Rel Records website

Eli Keszler live in san fran part 2 on Vimeo.

Eli Keszler photo by Susanna Bolle / Rare Frequency

STEVE BERESFORD

Steve Beresford is one of the giants of British improvised music, a restless multi-instrumentalist whose irreverent and anarchic spirit has been disrupting and galvanising improvised music for forty years. A superb pianist, he also plays an assortment of electronic devices and toy instruments. Always balanced precariously on the edge of chaos, he possesses an energy and verve that can animate any musical situation.

ADAM BOHMAN

“As a free improviser Adam Bohman has pretty much everything required for the job. He wields an armoury of soundmaking devices - a disassembled violin, springs, lightbulbs, a barbecue grill, a wire record rack, a wooden box with wires stretched across - and creates a post-serial slipstream of variegated events, where more detail is pressed into a split second than ought to be allowed.” - The WIRE

CAMERON DEAS

Sheffield-based guitarist with a slew of self-released sides and a couple of LPs on Blackest Rainbow. Deas might draw on the usual Fahey/Takoma traditions but he spins them into his own kind of hypnotic revery. Stunning stuff.

"Loose frequent and infrequent twangs to pure whirlwinds of aggressive string assaults and finger shredding plucking."



Interview on Foxy Digitalis
Cameron Deas on Myspace

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