Conductive Alliance

Artist Information

Biography

Conductive Alliance mixes acoustic and electric instrumentation to create a distinctive sound that is rooted within many styles and traditions. This Chicago group formed in 2007, when longtime friends Eli McLaughlin and Dan Larson began writing and performing high energy instrumental music. In the Fall of 2007 their debut EP "Wind Up Bird" was released. Soon after recording "Wind Up Bird", bassist Nicholas Hill, and drummer Corey Brekher joined the group, building upon and expanding Conductive Alliance's unique sound. Conductive Alliance's latest self-titled EP was recently released, and is widely distributed throughout Chicago.

Instrumentation

Dan Larson- guitar, bells, vocals
Eli McLaughlin- guitar, baritone guitar, bells, vocals
Nicholas Hill- upright and electric bass, computers, melodica, pump organ, vocals.
Corey Brekher- drumset, djembe, doumbek, cymbals, floor tom, bells, tongue drums, vocals.

Discography

Wind Up Bird EP - 2007
Conductive Alliance EP - 2008

Audio

• Dark Flowers
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• Water Glyphs
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• Arches
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Illinois Entertainer [+ Show ]
  

  "Minimalist/indie/chamber/world outfit Conductive Alliance makes inspired and unclassifiable music o..."Minimalist/indie/chamber/world outfit Conductive Alliance makes inspired and unclassifiable music on its self-titled EP. It is acoustic, hypnotic, and eclectic, with each song taking on its own character. It must be one of the more unique acts playing around the city and would stand out on any stage. The CD package only lists one day of recording for the EP, meaning this all went down live in the studio, which is impressive. Groove out on “Silver,” “Turtles,” and “Harmonics.” (www.myspace.com/conductivealliance)"
  
  – Mike O’Cull
  
  

• Show Preview [+ Show ]
  

  "An absolutely gorgeous band that puts an interesting and blissed-the-fuck-out twist on chamber rock..."An absolutely gorgeous band that puts an interesting and blissed-the-fuck-out twist on chamber rock." -- Michael Byrne
  
  http://www.citypaper.com/music/story.asp?id=18516

• Album Review [+ Show ]
  

  Conductive Alliance has yet to hit its second birthday but certainly seems to be comfortable in its ...Conductive Alliance has yet to hit its second birthday but certainly seems to be comfortable in its stride-- each cut of theirs plays like its own universe, reads like its own book...I really like listening to them; their songs never get old, never slow down, never are boring. Between spiraling acoustics, fizzing electronics and the occasional spatter of tom drums, Conductive Alliance manages never to quite repeat themselves, never to drop the impression that they're moving forward. It's what the best symphonies manage to pull, and these are four guys.
  
  http://radiofreechicago.org
  

• Album Review [+ Show ]
  

  This album is such a spiritual listen. From track one, I was immersed in a whirlwind of earthy sound...This album is such a spiritual listen. From track one, I was immersed in a whirlwind of earthy soundscapes filled with energetic percussion and flawlessly put together acoustic melodies. I was in awe of their syncopation and overall musicianship. This is a must listen for anyone who loves music that isn't afraid to shed some classic and outlandish style. Beautiful, swift, and exotic; a must listen.
  
  http://aerophonesonaeroplanes.blogspot.com/2009/02/conductive-alliance.html
  

• Album Review [+ Show ]
  

  I press play on the album... I am greeted by a sea of finely plucked acoustic guitars, upright bass,...I press play on the album... I am greeted by a sea of finely plucked acoustic guitars, upright bass, and almost a classical sense of structure. Their ability to utilize tempo and intensity is captivating... the music transported me to distant lands. This is the bands second EP and it explores the most primitive roots of American music.
  
  http://www.thedelimagazine.com/chicago
  

• WNUR 89.3 FM [+ Show ]
  

  This all-acoustic Chicago group of two guitars, upright bass, and percussion produces a lush orchest...This all-acoustic Chicago group of two guitars, upright bass, and percussion produces a lush orchestration, interlocking and warm riffs, and deftly shifting meters that hint at nostalgia. This is a true Chicago group, with the same ear for the minimal, the sparse, and the hypnotically repetitive as Town and Country. And few can produce odd meters so natural and flowing. Conductive Alliance's finger-picking, harmonics, bowed bass, and hand-drumming on doumbek, produce a sense of wonder that accompanies such a uniquely rich soundworld.
  
  -AC
  
  WNUR 89.3 Airplay

Setlist

Conductive Alliance likes to play single sets 45 minutes to an hour and a half.

Songs are all original and include:
Wind Up Bird
Silver
Neko
Sixty-One Trees
Ride Little Leaf
Harmonics
Water Like Mountains
Turtles
Detrimental Effects
Grand Canyon
Folded In Two
Here Be

Basic Requirements

Calendar