LEAN LEFT at Tranzac Main Hall (292 Brunswick), Saturday (June 15), 10 pm. NXNE wristband or $15. nxne.com.
Looking for something experimental, unconventional and free (as in improvised) at NXNE?
Lean Left is an amalgamation of two powerful duos: long-time collaborators Paal Nilssen-Love (drums) and Ken Vandermark (tenor and baritone sax, B-flat clarinet) with guitarists Terrie Hessels and Andy Moor of Netherlands band the Ex.
“The music is built from past experiences,” says Vandermark, “and from night to night we push or pull against what’s come before. If we find ourselves in familiar territory, someone will deconstruct the material so things don’t become complacent.
“This music should always be about discovery, and Lean Left pushes that approach very, very hard.”
The band’s music isn’t all anti-rhythmic, though. “Lean Left will frequently move into areas that groove,” says Vandermark. “And melodies are firing up all over the place.”
The group first played together in Amsterdam in 2009 and tours Europe annually, but this run (including stops in Montreal and Ottawa) is the band’s North American debut.
If you like Lean Left, also check out Andrea Parkins at Tranzac Main Hall, Saturday (June 15), 8 pm, NXNE wristband or $15 or FU ???? ??? at Rancho Relaxo, Friday (June 14), midnight, NXNE wristband or $15, and at May, Saturday (June 15), 11 pm, NXNE wristband or $12.
