Disjunctive, raucous, soaring, and powerful - Figeater is a textural, tribal exploration of organic movement, instigated by clarinetist/composer Beth Fleenor.
Improvisations are punctuated, buttoned and launched by original compositions and songlike psychedelic episodes, with an emphasis on enviornmental participation. It has been called sonic spelunking - or an all improvised fun time.
Figeater is a time-based, performance process emphasized ensemble vehicle where audience and environment are recognized members of the conFIGuration performing. It is through the combination of these components that the performance takes place.
Figeater appears in a multitude of conFIGurations anchored by individual Performing Units, each featuring Fleenor on clarinet, bass clarinet, voice, electronics & toys.
There are currently 3 active Performing Units:
Special Fig - amplified quartet
(guitar, bass, drums)
Stephen Parris
John Seman
Mark Ostrowski
Super Fig - acoustic quartet
(violin, trumpet, piano)
Paris Hurley
Samantha Boshnack
Stephen Fandrich
Super Special Fig - 7 piece ensemble
(combined)
WORDS FROM THE PRESS:
"Led by clarinetist Beth Fleenor, Figeater make improvised music that ranges from insistently propulsive and buoyant - Fleenor can channel the spirit of Raymond Scott with aplomb - to aloof atmospheres, thugged-up backbeats, and loony, melismatic rants."
- The Stranger
"I don't know if Fleenor would point to chamber music as a direct influence or even a tertiary influence. But I heard Stockhausen, Cage and Reich in the Figeater set."
- City Arts Magazine
"Daringly, {Figeater} was down right pretty, not a term often associated with free improv...while later it was visceral, convulsive and more than a bit creepy..."
- Seattle Weekly
"Clarinetist/composer Beth Fleenor bases her cargo-cult band on the arrival of unhinged, uncorked, unkempt provocations from a small, raucous band of collaborators. Expect some wailin', some keening, and some siren-singing too."
- Earshot Jazz
Figeater will release Sweet Figeater Surprise, a performative five-record box-set in 2010, in conjunction with the Jack Straw Artist Support Program.
For more information please visit
myspace.com/figeaterparty |
