JUNE 2010 ISSUE MMUSICMAG.COM SPOTLIGHT

C. taylor Crothers C. taylor noam Pikelny, Gabe witcher, Paul Kowert, Chris thile, Chris eldridge Clinch nny punch brothers da chris thile’s boundary-breaking crew shakes itself to see what’s inside

If bands were In the habIt of as a result, Antifogmatic is a far cry from adopting stretches of highway, Punch the members’ previous bands—which might brothers would probably choose one throw off some old nickel Creek fans. “I think that was all left turns. the hot-picking it has been frustrating for us as a band to bluegrass-classical-jazz ensemble’s deal with the ‘Chris thile of nickel Creek’ sophomore album, Antifogmatic, is full thing,” says thile. “I wanted collaborators. I of melodic and rhythmic twists that defy wanted guys who are completely invested convention at every chance. “Musical artistically.” one listen to Antifogmatic bears expression is by nature abstract,” explains out that approach. traditional bluegrass mandolin player and lead vocalist Chris thile, swerves suddenly into chamber-quintet who established his reputation in the more passages, wanders into rich stacked jazz traditional trio nickel Creek. “It’s a fragile harmonies or settles into improvisational AS SEEN IN: JUNE 2010 tonality that Punch brothers employ. I love grooves that spotlight the group’s giving people something that seems very crackerjack session-player chops and M MUSIC & MUSICIANS stable, and then whipping the rug out from wide-ranging influences. “we’re fanatical MAGAZINE underneath them. I hope the record is a little about bartok, in particular Concerto for bit of a choose-your-own-adventure.” Orchestra and String Quartet No. 5,” notes whereas the new York City-based thile. “and radiohead.” quintet’s 2008 debut, Punch, was built and what of that strange title? around thile’s extended suite “the blind “antifogmatic” is a 19th-century term for Leaving the blind,” the new album is a a stiff drink used to ward off inclement decidedly collective effort written by the weather. “It’s a fairly whiskey-soaked affair, band—which also includes banjo player overall,” says thile of the album. “but that’s noam Pikelny, guitarist Chris eldridge, a nod to the liquid culture here in new York bass player Paul Kowert and violinist Gabe City. not actually the sloppy drunk, but rather witcher. “the music is very collaborative,” a loosening, sort of shaking yourself. It’s says Pikelny. “we all love songs that really like the present on Christmas morning, you take you from Point a to Point b. we were sort of shake it to see what’s in there—and very much there for feedback for each other occasionally you break things when you to be able to try a million ideas. You have five do that!” 629 Forest Ave. • Staten Island, NY 10310 –Bob Cannon • @ guys who were willing to try anything.” 718-981-8585mandoweb.com mandolin mandoweb.com

2020

M mag 4.indd 20 6/15/10 11:31:16 PM