Bowed Metal Music
Peter Warren’s and Matt Samolis’s work on their modified steel cellos is in part a blending of the harmonic and drone traditions. The steel cello is a remarkably resonant and sympathetic assemblage of cymbals and tuned steel rods that, once set into vibration, produces a huge variety of subtly shifting timbres and harmonic intervals. Rich in enharmonic overtones, the evocative music occasionally sounds like it has been electronically modified. Listeners report being transported on a timeless inward journey of searing beauty.
Matt Samolis has been collaborating for many years in the Boston area in both improvised, theatre, and sound art contexts. His most well known project in recent years has been Gaduri, an ensemble based on bowed metal, tuned glass and other custom-built instruments, and extended vocal techniques. Peter Warren has been performing in collective improvisational settings for thirteen years in the Boston area, beginning with Ken Vandermark’s group, Lombard Street. In 1994, he established two improvising groups, Cheap Suit and Elastic Consort, the latter which included Matt Samolis playing flute.
