(...actually, it's Barbican Centre... but that didn't fit my rhyme scheme.)
Cool news for those listeners, sweet on symphony. It would seem Brooklyn's own indie rock quartet, Grizzly Bear, are pretty sweet on the idea, themselves. Earlier this year, they performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, backed by a small orchestra performing arrangements by fellow New Yorker, Nico Muhly. Now, they've stepped things up a bit by adding to their fall European tour, a night out with the infamous LSO. Talk about standards, jeez.
Still no decent bootleg to be found of the February gig, but here's a quick youtube glimpse at what we're in for.
Let me just say that, while I'm nearly always on board for this sort of thing, the news of this particular little soirée has brought me dangerously close to the sort of tear-jerking, pants-peeing, sick to my stomach excitement one can only attribute to the coolest of the cool happenings. For me, it usually occurs around the time of Pixar's annual release. Right now, I'd say it's a little of this and a little due to the fact that HP and the Half-Blood Prince is less than a week away.
Giggidy.
If you haven't already discovered them, Grizzly Bear is a must-hear! Something about the pacing of the music... or perhaps, four voices as one... or maybe the occasional minimalist and yet ever expanding soundscapes, I dunno... they have some magical way about them. I've already heard Two Weeks about a thousand times and I still can't get enough. Their instant charm coupled with Nico Muhly's distinct stylistic perspective ought to make for quite an earful. I imagine the result to be the sort of mess you'd love to sort out. For me, it'd be like organizing a record collection. I mean... think about it. Artist, album, genre, period or even content? The possibilities are really endless.
For a better introspective on Muhly, check out this terrific interview. (Kudos to Sean Michaels of Said the Gramophone for his many colorful contributions to the blogosphere.)
The date to remember is Oct. 31st! If you're a resident of the UK and you missed your chance to book tickets, previously, I'd hop on over to the Barbican's site and see if you can scratch what's left. Balcony, me thinks... but still a damn fine show, nosebleed and all.
mp3:
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