Wade Through the Avant-Garde, Bassoon-Driven Madness of BRIAN! and Their Latest Single “Wholed”
Ever wondered what avant-garde rock or metal would sound like if someone slapped a bassoon into the mix? No? Just me? Weird. Anywho, that’s exactly what BRIAN! is – an avant-garde band from Ithaca, New York with a woodwind instrument playing a major role..
Leading to the release of the band’s fifth studio album The Cataclysmic Engine later this month on October 28, the band released the album’s second single and accompanying video “Wholed.”
Featuring classically trained bassoonist David Resig and experimental multi-instrumentalist Bubba Crumrine (Amok & OK, solo, Mouth To Mouth To Mouth), the trio have been working together since 2009 to create unique soundscapes that can at times boggle the senses, yet make you want to listen closer to the individual parts that make up the sum.
According to the band, the new album finds its inspiration in “finding queer identity (“Rose”), the awe of passionate relationships blossoming out of childhood trauma (“Intemperate to Death”), and embracing brevity when dealing with vulnerability (“Smol”).”
As for this album’s first two singles, Bubba Crumrine said the pair of tracks are intrinsically intertwined.
‘Rose’ and ‘Wholed’ are two sides of a whole-tone driven coin, the former a tight Crimson-esque track delivered with punk spirit; the latter a flurried dissonance of guitar and drums as the backdrop to frantic bassoon with saxophone shredding provided by featured guest Keir Neuringer (Irreversible Entanglements).
Nefarious Industries will release BRIAN!’s The Cataclysmic Engine on Royal Blue vinyl LP and all digital platforms on October 28, though preorders are available today.
If the kind of off-kilter sound of BRIAN! is for you, you can check them out live at the following dates below. It’s sure to be an absolute trip.
BRIAN! Tour Dates:
10/28/2022 The Cherry – Ithaca, NY *The Cataclysmic Engine release show w/ Motherwort, La Llorona
11/04/2022 Zephyr Pub – Kent, OH w/ Obnox, Hiram-Maxim, St. James & The Apostles
11/05/2022 Duende at Silo City – Buffalo, NY w/ Garden Closet, Personal Style, Dolly Sods
11/06/2022 The Spirit Room – Rochester, NY
