Matt Nelson (solo) / Alex Cunningham and Mark Shippy (duo)

Matt Nelson

Saxophonist Matt Nelson regularly performs in a far-reaching, motley assortment of musical projects. Described as “one of the more unpredictable virtuosos in New York’s underground” by Pitchfork, and “genre-bending” by Tiny Mix Tapes, his output often lies in the gray corners beyond categorization.

Upon graduating from the Oberlin Conservatory under the tutelage of Gary Bartz and Paul Cohen, Matt moved back to his native Bay Area and became an active member of the music community there. He performed regularly with several bands, among them experimental pop outfit tUnE-yArDs, with whom he recorded and toured extensively in support of their acclaimed album w h o k i l l.

In 2010 Matt relocated to Brooklyn, New York. During his time there he has performed and toured as a member of Battle Trance, GRID, Elder Ones, Premature Burial, Skeletons, and the Weasel Walter Large Ensemble. Matt also performs as a solo act, where he often utilizes electronics and amplified feedback along with the saxophone, as heard on his record Lower Bottoms.

Matt is a Vandoren Artist.

Alex Cunningham

Alex Cunningham is a violinist, improviser, and visual artist based in St. Louis, MO. His work explores free improvisation, drone, noise, and minimalist composition. Cunningham has recently performed with Mark Shippy, Sandy Ewen, Damon Smith, Stefan Gonzalez, and Lisa Cameron and has ongoing collaborations with Chris Trull (under the Apathist! moniker), Kevin Harris, and Claire Rousay. Past collaborations include the groups Vernacular String Trio, Hess/Cunningham Duo, and Hardbody. Cunningham has released music on Close/Far Recordings, Personal Archives, Already Dead Tapes and Records, Fort Evil Fruit, and Astral Spirits.

Cunningham’s collage work has appeared on various album covers and concert posters. He was named St. Louis’ “Best Concert Poster Designer” by the Riverfront Times in 2015. His visual work has shown at Hoffman LaChance Contemporary, Resident Arts, Blank Space, and the Thomas Dunn Learning Center and has been featured on bus stops in St. Louis as part of St. Louis Metro’s “Arts in Transit” initiative.

Mark Shippy

Mark Shippy is a Chicago-based guitarist and visual artist. Shippy is best known for his idiosyncratic guitar stylings in the influential noise rock band, U.S. Maple. Shippy’s long list of projects also includes the groups Snailboy, Shorty, Invisible Things, Miracle Condition, Hidden Rifles, and Billington/Shippy/Wyche.