Toychestra (performing with iconic improv giant, Fred Frith)
Toychestra is an all-women musical ensemble that plays toys. Some are actual instruments like toddler-sized pianos and xylophones and drums. Others just make great sounds, like the pink zoo train or Boo Megaphone or the acoustic, multi-sonic Activity Center. Still others are used for percussion, like the washboard, Don’t Wake Daddy, and woodblock. Each instrument is individually amplified with contact microphones and the collection is mixed live for a bigger electronic sound. This creates a sophisticated aural experience that is a far cry from a bunch of kiddies banging around.
Toychestra performs original compositions ranging from stark to upbeat, from percussive to melodic, to ambient, avant-garde and kitsch. In the past the band was known to do a few covers ranging from Dvorak to Kraftwerk to Black Flag.
Learn more (and see the coolest home page in internet history) at www.Toychestra.com
Purchase their album, “My Good Side” at SK Records.
