2 minute read
Music: Moose Collective
MOOSE COLLECTIVE
Core members of improv music project release live set from August Fuchsia Fest performance
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It's not every day that the term "improv" is associated with the local music scene, but Moose Collective - a rapidly evolving project comprising core members Hayden Crane (guitar), Mitch Angle (bass), Tayler File (electronics) and Chris Dawson (drums) - is changing all that. Originally intended to be a more song-based proposition, this unique partnership has developed into an entirely different beast. And it's only getting wilder by the minute. As File describes Moose Collective's anything-goes musical philosophy, "it's like running downhill - no thought, just survival."
And it's often an exhilarating experience as those who attended Mesker Park's Fuchsia Fest back in August can attest. The independent arts & entertainment festival gave Moose Collective the opportunity to experiment in a live setting, performing two krautrock-influenced pieces ("Altered Ear Jam" and "Liquid Ceilings") that allowed for the members to take off on unscripted musical excursions at will after deftly deviating from repetitive starting points. Apart from some nicelytimed film and vocal samples dropped into the mix by File, the half-hour set was pure instrumental bliss - four musicians communicating wordlessly in the united pursuit of entering the fourth dimension. Says Crane, "Almost everybody told us that they'd never heard anything like it before."
Thankfully, the hypnotic performance was documented by Wally Opus Records. It's since been mixed and mastered by File and is now available to listen to and/ or purchase on Bandcamp and major streaming platforms. True to Moose Collective's intentions, both live tracks harken back to legendary German bands like Can and the post-punk/electronic era of the late 70's - but are filtered through a 21st century vision. Quite simply, it's music to escape reality by, an exploration in sound that duly rewards the open-minded listener.
Looking ahead, Moose Collective plans to release a second live set (from the rooftop at ARTSWIN) in the near future and welcome other local musicians into the fold from time to time (maybe even a saxophonist) to keep things fresh. There's no telling what will happen now that the Moose is loose!
To listen to and/or purchase Fuchsia Fest 8/14/21 (Live), visit bandcamp.com and all major streaming platforms.
