Brian Balmages

Industrial Loops

This innovative work explores the fusion of music with mechanical ideas. Based on the rhythmic drive of a factory underscored with a series of musical "loops" provided by the ensemble, the piece explores the combination of organic and inorganic sounds. Inventive percussive and vocal effects are layered upon one another as the groove begins to metamorphose into more complex sounds while a bluesy element is added to create a "blue-collar" vibe. A series of micro-climaxes ultimately explode in a furry of intensity and flourishes, bringing the work to a dramatic close.