w. Cocoon
Wednesday, March 30 – Wherehouse – $8
New York duo Mountains often receive comparisons to the founders and boundary pushers of ambient composition: Eno, Jeck, Niblock, Fennezs. These are not unfounded or unflattering relations, but they undercut the true pleasure of Koen Holtkamp and Brendon Anderegg long-form compositions. The two created and operate Mountains as a live experience, for both audience and performer alike. Lightly bowed strings, ringing chimes and bells, the reedy buzz of a melodica are all introduced individually and layered over collected field recordings, every layer separate and each creating the whole.
Ambient, drone and kosmiche are all fitting labels for the duo, but each falls short. This is richly textured, deeply contemplative music that rewards the listener’s attention.
