Tentet/Octet has familiarized the streets of Buffalo with their progressive soul sound used in experimental theater, rearrangements of classical and jazz compositions and live film score. But somethings has changed–they seem to have become larger. “Since the summer, the ensemble has grown in numbers and direction, developing an identity of its own outside of it’s beginnings. The Reactionary Ensemble formed as an extension of us,” says T. Tristan Trump, Tenet/Octet originator.
The Reactionary Ensemble group the allows larger scale performances than the original duo could take on. In addition the group has also started to integrate video loops, a more diverse range of sounds and flavors, and they’re showcasing new talent.
According to originators T. Tristan Trump and KG Price, Tentet/Octet aspires to see the return to the of idea of modernity as tradition, to find new means of dialogue in temporal artistic expression. Utilizing augmented and conventional instrumentation, the ensemble creates linear sound compositions working with both an academic and low-brow approach. They’re excited over this new project, but are keeping with the original duo as well.
This Sunday night, Tenet/Octet will accompany Massachusetts’s Neptune in a show at Pearl Street’s Soundlab. The intended audience for this show will have a mind that lends itself to abstraction and an ear for euphonious instrumentation mixed with trash drums and electronica.
In regards to Neptune’s highly regarded instruments, the Weekly Dig says, “One of their guitars, each of which Jason Sanford wrenches into shape from scrap metal, looks like it could lop someone’s head off, if swung correctly. Another one looks (and sounds) haunted. Their drum set is an assembly of abused cymbals, busted tire rims, rusty saw blades and skeletal scraps. Then there are the boxes—pragmatically slapdash electro-phonic doodads, each one intricately doctored together by Mark Pearson and studded with switches and knobs.”
When asked about Neptune’s performance overall, considering their unusual instrament choices, T. Tristan Trump stated. “Out of the times I’ve seen them perform, they solidify what it is they do a bit more each time. And I feel they are at a peak now, if not, I can’t imagine how amazing their shows will be future-forward. From what I understand the group, or should I say the instruments the group utilizes, were originally conceived as a thesis project. I gather that they realized that they could actually compose quality songs on the damn things and went on tour with it.” We’ll see you there!
Neptune and Tenet/Octet
Sunday, November 18, 9 PM
Soundlab.
110 Pearl Street