Madonnawhore:
Toby Driver – Electric Guitar, Piano, Keyboards, Voice
Keith Abrams – Percussion
Kelly Moran – Keyboard
String Noise:
Conrad Harris – Violin
Pauline Kim Harris – Violin
Roulette hosts two sets of dark, austere avant-folk inspired by the likes of David Ackles, Sam Prekop, Nick Cave, Grouper, and Current 93. The first set will feature Toby Driver, Keith Abrams, and Kelly Moran performing material from the new album Madonnawhore, followed by the world premiere of several new pieces featuring Driver and Abrams joined by String Noise, the violin duo Conrad Harris and Pauline Kim Harris.
Toby Driver and Keith Abrams are best known by their work together in their avant-goth experimental rock band Kayo Dot. The pair have toured Europe extensively, from the shores of Portugal and Ireland to as far east as The Republic of Georgia, Israel, Russia, and Istanbul. Madonnawhore’s music can be heard on the album by the same name, released by Flenser Recordings in spring 2017.
Kelly Moran is a keyboardist, composer, and producer from New York. As the sole engineer and producer of her five solo albums, her intricately arranged electro-acoustic compositions have been described as accomplishing “the rare feat of making the work of a single individual sound like the artistic output of a veritable creative army.” As a pianist, Moran has given numerous recitals of contemporary repertoire and specializes in works that employ extended techniques and a “prepared” piano. Her forthcoming album Bloodroot will be released by Telegraph Harp Records in March 2017.
String Noise is a classical, avant-punk violin duo comprised of violinists Conrad Harris and Pauline Kim. Since the do’s inception in 2011 at Ostrava New Music Days, String Noise has expanded the two violin repertoire in over 50 new works to include larger collaborations with electronics, projections and dance. String Noise was highlighted in Performa 2011 with artist Will Cotton and was the featured ensemble for the launch of composers collective Index 0. Premieres include works by Christian Wolff, John King, Phill Niblock, John Zorn, and more. As curators, Conrad and Pauline presented Drawing Sound: Part II, a three-night mini-festival featuring artists Alvin Lucier, Greg Saunier and Jad Fair, at the Drawing Center in Manhattan.