“Mowhoush was shoved head first into a sleeping bag, wrapped with electrical cord and rolled from his stomach to his back.” Presented in a single, 27 minute long track, Sleeper is Neil’s first recorded major ensemble work. Sleeper was Inspired by the torture and wrongful death of an Iraqi general by U.S. forces in Iraq. Drawing on many of the techniques used in Neil’s solo work, Sleeper makes dramatic use of timbre and sound. From the subtle, suspended pitches in the opening statements to the aggressive, thick harmonic textures to come, Sleeper is a work that mirrors its dark narrative. This piece was composed while living in seclusion on Whidbey Island in 2010, and later finished in Seattle in early 2011. Sleeper features many of Neil’s long time T&C collaborators.

credits

released 08 November 2011
The Sleeper Ensemble is:
Neil Welch, tenor and soprano
Ivan Arteaga, alto and soprano
Jesse Canterbury, bass clarinet
Vincent LaBelle, trombone
David Balatero, cello
Natalie Hall, cello

Boxwork is a collection of 14 acoustic solo saxophone performances recorded over one year while living in relative seclusion on Whidbey Island. Boxwork documents Neil’s exploration of specific acoustic areas. Many improvisations use subtle differences in timber and intonation to make pitch clusters pulsate in and between one another. These clusters become threaded together as melodic planes through multiphonic, throat and embouchure techniques. Other improvisations use quartertones, screaming through the instrument, and single line melodies.

Here it is world, your official hard copy of Bad Luck, our self titled debut album out on Table & Chairs. The record is composed, produced, and massaged by drummer Chris Icasiano and saxophonist Neil Welch. We had it printed right here in the Northwest by the fine folks at Stumptown Printers. Cut in a small run, the packaging uses 6-panel recycled board and features the Bad Luck insignia letter pressed on the cover! The record also features original artwork and design by Seattle photographer Nathan Vass.

Bad Luck Two, the double-disc sonic manifesto from Seattle’s acclaimed avant drum and saxophone duo!

Disc one showcases the duo’s remarkable ability to improvise in an acoustic setting—sans amplification or effects, and with no compositional framework to guide them. The second disc features the duo augmented, utilizing live loops and pedal to round out their natural sound. This is Bad Luck at their best; their menacing improvisational energy and brilliant compositions shine brightly in this remarkable outing.

Hot on the heels of their 2011 double-album Two, drummer Chris Icasiano and saxophonist Neil Welch have created a 22 min sonic manifesto. Bloodroot is their most ambitious recorded piece to date, culling up the gravelly saxophone wails and deep drum beats they’ve come to be known for. But Bad Luck continues to explore conventional and unconventional territories in their music. In Bloodroot, heavy-looped chords abruptly cut off, replaced by creaking moans, clicks and clamors. Panicked improvisations become replaced by beautiful, subtle melodies. As one of Seattle’s most creative touring projects, Bad Luck continues to evolve with every show.

Credits: released 04 May 2012 
Neil Welch, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, live loops and effects.
Chris Icasiano, drums