Wires Under Tension
Wires Under Tension, a post-rock duo from the Bronx, came to the Printed Matter benefit party at 285 Kent Ave on South 1st Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and absolutely smashed it.
As much as Wires Under Tension is a verbose how-to-play manual tip for string instruments—their potential effusions when cranked and released— the nom de band also works as a fruitful metaphor. Christopher Tignor and Theo Metz explore sound’s potential. Each song evolves into a journey toward an emotional crux: songs build and break, soar and wane. They shift meditatively, change direction, and pull listeners along with them. They hook your gut with a melody and tug.
In some ways, these guys remind me of Berg Sans Nipple, but with a sharper edge, a hint of aggression. But Tignor’s sampling, string play, and work on the keys, coupled with Metz’s hard worn, tight percussion make them completely their own. The one word that comes to mind when I think of Wires Under Tension is TOGETHERNESS. It seems like the performers are in each other’s head.
I sort of blew it: I didn’t have the equipment to record any of the show. Even if I did, I would have been dancing too apoplectically to steady a camera. SO, anyone who did record a song or two ( I saw about 40 iphones doing this business), let us at Underground Airline know . . . We’ll link to your treasure.
Alas, here are links to some Wires Under Tension videos:
Enjoy these wonderful songs!
Wires Under Tension also has an album for sale. It’s called Light Science. Check it out here. Get it! Get it!
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