Thor and Friends 11/6/17 Cafe 9

Woodworking former percussionist for the group Swans, Thor Harris took his friends on the road for a date at the 9. Harris played this monstrous homemade xylophone. Two other female xylophonists, female violin, and guy on guitar made up the quintet. The music was Philip Glass or Steve Reich like, drones and repetitive mallet work. Swans were infamous for their ear-splitting metal drone live outings, and one can see why Thor was part of the group. Songs ebbed and flowed while Thor added flourish with flute, clarinet, trombone, and even extreme triangle. You might think that Thor was fluent in these other instruments, but I say no, he only had to play two or three sustained notes to color the pieces to his liking. Based in Austin, Thor and friends made truly original sounds.