Sonmi
Asheville, North Carolina, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
With four sythesizers, two laptops and a music percussion computer, Sonmi Suite might seem an unlikely candidate for an outdoor venue, but in fact the band's animate instrumentals were right at home in the open air. And the decent-sized crowd responded, dancing with increasing intensity as Sonmi Suite moved from laid-back openers to more forceful offerings.
Dave Mathes is an athletic drummer, driving a song with both arms and legs. He easily out-maneuvers the fabricated beats in each composition. Nigel Gilmer plays his bass up high on his chest, every note tight and focused. There's a sense of great concentration and control in every musician on stage, and yet the music unfolds and evolves so organically it falls just shy of psychedelic.
- Mountain Xpress
Discography
Tunnels (Single from upcoming release)
Aut0pron (Single from upcoming release)
Sonmi Suite (Self-Titled EP)
Photos
Bio
Whether it’s recording samples in isolated tunnels, cutting up found sounds on an MPC, programming analog synths, or layering unorthodox guitar and drum sounds, Sonmi creates sounds that are sure to open the imagination of any audience. By performing these indulgently rhythmic collages of original sounds with virtually no pre-sequence, their virtuosic performance creates an organic and human edge to the electronic genre. Sonmi is comprised of Mike McBride (synths/production), Dave Mathes (drums, production), Robert Garmhausen (guitar, MPC), and Nigel Gilmer (bass, synths, electronics).
Musical influences include Boards of Canada, Battles, Apparat, PVT, Prefuse 73, Explosions in the Sky, and The Notwist.
Sonmi has entertained audiences at festivals such as Moogfest, Trinumeral, Bele Chere, LAAFF, Tron-A-Thon, and Luminescence, and has shared the stage with various international artists including Passion Pit, Beats Antique, Bonobo, Benga, Pnuma Trio, Glitch Mob, BlueTech, Two Fresh, Emancipator, and Papadosio.
SHOW HISTORY:
2011.10.30 Moogfest 2011, Asheville NC
2011.10.01 Surrealistic Celebration, Asheville NC
2011.09.04 LAAF, Asheville NC
2011.09.03 Roots to Revolution, Atlanta GA
2011.07.31 Bele Chere, Asheville NC
2011.07.29 Bass Church 14 @ The Filmore, Charlotte NC
2011.06.17 Dexfest, Dandridge TN
2011.06.11 Orange Peel (headliner) w/ Don Winsley, Asheville NC
2011.05.07 Bass Church 12 @ The Valarium, Knoxville TN
2011.03.31 Emerald Lounge w/ Royal Bangs, Asheville NC
2011.02.25 Bass Church 9 @ Neighborhood Theater, Charlotte NC
2011.02.18 Loveapalooza 3 @ The Garage, Asheville NC
2011.01.15 Orange Peel w/ Paper Tiger (headliner), Asheville NC
2010.10.30 Moogfest Afterparty @ The Garage, Asheville NC
2010.06.17 Dexfest, Dandridge TN
2010.04.10 Luminescence, Asheville NC
2009.06.16 Nashwa (now closed Club 828) w/ Benga, Asheville NC
2009.04.11 Tron-A-Thon, Asheville NC
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