Thor Harris, the bearded warrior responsible for playing wind and percussion instruments in the most recent incarnation of Swans, has announced a tour. He will be playing alongside his avant-chamber ensemble — the “Friends” — and touring with Adam Torres of Fat Possum. The nature of this project is described in their press release: “Thor & Friends draws on the classic Minimalist composers including Terry Riley and Steve Reich, but also amalgamate such diverse influences as Brian Eno, Aphex Twin, Moondog and The Necks around a polyrhythmic core of mallet-struck instruments, primarily marimba, xylophone and vibraphone.” Thor & Friends have an eponymous album coming out this fall, and their track “Growed” can be heard on their website.
As if seeing the heroic, mythological musician play avant-garde music in a more intimate setting weren’t enough, the band will be offering a limited-edition fanzine as part of their touring merchandise, complete with a download code for their completed tracks. The fanzine will feature black-and-white ink drawings by Thor, as well as contributions from other members of the ensemble. In addition, a series of 4” x 5” paintings made by members of the band will be on sale.
Thor & Friends/Adam Torres Tour Dates:
09.07.16 - Dallas, TX - Three Links
09.08.16 - San Antonio, TX - Limelight
09.10.16 - Austin, TX - Cactus Cafe
10.12.16 - Houston, TX - The Raven Tower
10.13.16 - New Orleans, LA - Gasa Gasa
10.14.16 - Birmingham, AL - The Syndicate Lounge
10.15.16 - Atlanta, GA - Eddie’s Attic
10.16.16 - Carrboro, NC - Cats Cradle
10.17.16 - Washington, DC - DC 9
10.18.16 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s
10.20.16 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
10.21.16 - Portsmouth, NH - 3S Arts Space
10.22.16 - Montréal, QC - Bar Le Ritz
10.23.16 - Toronto, ON - Drake Hotel
10.25.16 - Columbus, OH - Spacebar
10.26.16 - Evanston, IL - SPACE
10.27.16 - Columbia, MO - Rose Music Hall
10.28.16 - St. Louis, MO - Off Broadway Night Club
10.30.16 - Oxford, MS - Proud Larry’s
11.09.16 - Tucson, AZ - The Flycatcher
11.10.16 - Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar
11.11.16 - San Diego, CA - San Diego Music Thing Conference
11.12.16 - Los Angeles, CA - Resident
11.13.16 - San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop
11.15.16 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
11.16.16 - Seattle, WA - Columbia City Theater
11.17.16 - Spokane, WA - The Bartlett
11.19.16 - Salt Lake City, UT - Garage on Beck Roadhouse & Grill
11.20.16 - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
11.22.16 - Kansas City, MO - Record Bar