Brainstatik
Together for 14 years, Brainstatik is known for their completely-improvised live concerts. They perform long-form jams combining ambient, world, progressive rock and space music, liberally shifting and mixing genres within each piece. Every song is a spontaneous exploration of diverse musical themes. Nothing is rehearsed or planned so Brainstatik sounds different each time they play. Everyone in Brainstatik is a certified electronic gear junkie, each choosing from a huge sonic pallet as they play. Armed with this complex musical toy box, guitars can sound like drums, keyboards can make guitar sounds and drums can play keyboard sounds. This often can confound audience members (and sound engineers) who can’t always tell who is playing what.
Brainstatik’s current lineup includes founding members Robert Burger and Ken Palmer, along with Mike Hunter, Glenn Robitaille and Jim Silvestri. Their live shows include some combination of the above and are always organic. Each piece constantly morphs and evolves. They can sound ethereal and quiet, complex and orchestral, or experimental and edgy. Performances often sound rehearsed and composed, but in reality, the band has no explanation for where the music takes them. It all just happens in the moment, almost beyond their control. There is always the risk of a creative ‘train wreck,” but the members of Brainstatik thrive on taking their music to the edge every time they perform.
Mayakara
Mayakara, Sanskrit for Conjurer of Illusions, is the acoustic/electronic duo of Bill Fieger and Mike Hunter. They weave the acoustic elements of Bill’s custom built “Lunatar” and Mike’s Didgeridoo stylings with various electronic instruments and processors. Their unworldly sound invites the listener to join the shaman’s dance and see through the illusion that is “reality.” Bill also performs with Stairs to Nowhere and solo as Oblivious Solitude. Mike performs solo as Ombient, with Brainstatik and hosts the Ambient/Electronic/Experimental music show, “Music with Space” on WPRB 103.3 FM Princeton University Radio.