You may not be aware of the small, intricately-knit collection of Peabody misfits which is ambitiously creeping into the Baltimore experimental improv underground, but you’ll be glad you turned up for any future performances by LotUS (League of the Unsound Sound). This is where modern experimental composition meets untethered improvisational music. The alchemy breeds a concoction both unique in its flavor and approach, and explosive in its potential to gestalt new Baltimore sound.

While several recent series have successfully explored combinations of traditionalists teamed up with experimental musicians, what sets this group apart is the diversity of pieces performed. Many of these arrangements are fresh and originally commissioned specifically for this series by vibrant young local composers with wide ears and wild imaginations.

Photo by David Lobato, story by Rev. Elgaroo Brenza.

Coming home from a brief tour of performances in Pennsylvania, New York, and DC, The Windup Space presented an ideal landing pad for LotUS’s local improv connections to thrive and shine. Excellent sound, as usual, a great layout for the multimedia video projection and wandering instruments. Incidentally, I found the current exhibit of Grant Whipple’s chaotic paintings of exploding bicycles a particularly appropriate compliment to the ambiance. A charming and surprising ensemble of auditory adventurers brought to life a vibrant menagerie of sonic movement and textural brilliance thus brightening an otherwise unevenful Sunday afternoon.

Photo by David Lobato, story by Rev. Elgaroo Brenza.

An opening video composition by Michael Boyd was followed by a haunting tribute to the original driving force behind the formation of Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, entitled Half the Way Down, presented by Ruby Fulton. An original film by David Smooke, accompanied by radiating waves bassoon, followed.

Photo by David Lobato, story by Rev. Elgaroo Brenza.

Former Chicago Symphony Orchestra composer-in-residence Augusta Read Thomas’ Toft Serenade brushed the dust from memories. It emerged a soaring passion of the blissful, rippling, gratifying, frothy mystery of creative life. Thereupon followed a special treat from the fascinating modern Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina. Encouraged by Shostakovich to push even further down the rabbit hole from the oppression of the Soviet, her Quasi Hoquetus for viola, bassoon, and piano struck as a noble, melancholy dream carving through shadowy features, tugged through the fogs of the forgotten towards an alien future; an abstract, impressionistic voice from beyond.

Photo by David Lobato, story by Rev. Elgaroo Brenza.

The culmination was Selfish Houses on Blood Strange Roads with the entire LotUS ensemble, another commissioned work and world premier from Stephen Gorbos of Catholic University. It was a subtly balanced dissertation on space and distance, time and transference, para-mountaineering, dis-tempering solace and crystal gravy.

Photo by David Lobato, story by Rev. Elgaroo Brenza.

Following was a series of fantastic purely improvisational sets by intriguing combinations of LotUS along with the esteemed Susan Alcorn
on humming dreamland pedal steel guitar, Dave Ballou on flaming, mercurial jazz-boots trumpet, and John Dierker on howling, untamable clarinets! Imagine spirits singing through the air of mystery, casting magic sparkles and tinkling secrets. It was reflection, motion sensitive lines – fantastic effervescence, somnolescent sky-scrapes and dreams of effluence.

League of the Unsound Sound

Photo by David Lobato, story by Rev. Elgaroo Brenza.

WHAT DO A YOUTH MEDIA FESTIVAL AND A FARM-TO-TABLE RESTAURANT HAVE IN COMMON?

Wide Angle Youth Media started the Who Are You? Youth Media Festival in 2005 to build local audiences for local youth voices in order to strengthen ties and foster understanding in our community. For this year’s festival benefit, Wide Angle is very excited to feature Spike and Amy Gjerde, co-owners of Woodberry Kitchen, Baltimore’s premiere farm-to-table restaurant grounded in the traditions and ingredients of the Chesapeake region. Woodberry’s commitment to partnering with local farmers is a model for how to build a business based on the values of community, sustainability and strong relationships. We hope you’ll join us!

INFO: info@wideanglemedia.org, 443-759-6700.