Natural Information Society is a music ensemble described as “ecstatic minimalism”.[1] The group formed in 2010 and is led by multi-instrumentalist and composer Joshua Abrams.[2][3][4] NPR called the group a "staple" of the underground music scene in Chicago.[5] Their performances often include the paintings of Lisa Alvarado.[6]
Natural Information Society | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Avant-garde, Jazz, Minimalism |
| Years active | 2010 - Present |
| Labels | Eremite Records, Drag City |
| Members | Joshua Abrams, Lisa Alvarado |
| Website | naturalinformationsociety |
According to Musicworks, Natural Information Society's performances place "a singular emphasis on the human and the humane in music in the midst of a galloping digitized industry".[7] The Guardian gave the group's album Simultonality four out of five stars,[8] The New York Times described it as "at once tensile and hypnotic",[9] while Rolling Stone named it to their list of the "20 Best Avant Albums of 2017".[10] Pitchfork named their double album Magnetoception #2 on their "Best Experimental Albums of 2015".[11] The Stranger called the group's release Automaginary one of the "Top 10 Records of 2015" and it was also named by Spin as one of its "20 Best Avant Albums of 2015".[12] The New York Times described their first album Natural Information as "one of the rough gems of the post-everything musical era”.[13]
Natural Information Society's albums have been released by Eremite Records and a collaboration album with Bitchin Bajas was released by Drag City.[14][15]
Discography edit
- Natural Information (Eremite, 2010)
- Represencing (Eremite, 2012)
- Magnetoception (Eremite, 2015)
- Automaginary (Drag City, 2015) with Bitchin Bajas
- Simultonality (Eremite, 2017)
- Mandatory Reality (Eremite, 2019)
- Descension (Out of Our Constrictions) (Eremite, 2021) with Evan Parker
- Since Time Is Gravity (Eremite, 2023) with Ari Brown
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Kopel, Dana (April 2017). "Vibrational Aesthetics: Lisa Alvarado". Mousse Magazine.
- ^ "Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society". UChicagoARTS. University of Chicago. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ Masters, Marc (April 6, 2017). "Joshua AbramsNatural Information Society Simultonality". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ "Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society". rewire. Rewire Festival. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ Masters, Marc (April 20, 2017). "Songs We Love: Natural Information Society & Bitchin Bajas, 'Sign Spinners' Listen· 4:31". NPR. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ Cotter, Holland (27 April 2017). "10 Galleries to Visit Now on the Lower East Side". The New York Times.
- ^ Broomer, Stuart (May 2015). "Joshua Abrams' Natural Information Society". Musicworks. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ Lewis, John (April 20, 2017). "Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society: Simultonality review – Africa soaring". The Guardian. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ RUSSONELLO, GIOVANNI (20 April 2017). "Pop, Rock and Jazz in NYC This Week". The New York Times.
- ^ Weingarten, Christopher (January 2, 2018). "20 Best Avant Albums of 2017". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ Currin, Grayson (December 23, 2015). "The Best Experimental Albums of 2015". Pitchfork Magazine. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ Joyce, Colin (December 9, 2015). "The 20 Best Avant Albums of 2015". Spin. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ RATLIFF, BEN (19 September 2010). "Joshua Abrams". The New York Times.
- ^ Mulvey, John (March 20, 2017). "Reviewed: some of the best new music of 2017 so far". Uncut. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ Cohan, Brad (June 18, 2016). "The Best Experimental Albums of 2016 (So Far)". The Observer. Retrieved January 16, 2018.