we make long, densely-orchestrated, instrumental music on a variety of instruments...
ed {drums, percussion, glockenspiel, samples, recording} nick {guitar, sampling, electronics, recording} nicole {'cello, piano, toy organ} neil {viola, guitar} pete {guitar} rhiannon {violin} susie {double bass, violin}
Arvo Part, Steve Reich, Sigur Ros, William Basinski, Godspeed you black emperor, Magyar Posse, MONO, Do make say think, Dirty Three, Magyar Posse, Aphex twin, John Cage, Joe Diorio, Masami Akita, Susumu Yokota, Krystof Penderecki etc etc etc
I dreamt I was a hammer & everything was glass Organ Grinder Records (2008) CD & DVD double-pack, featuring animated film by Gemma Burditt in hand printed packaging Click the image to order through Organ Grinder Records
Vox Humana
1 track [50 minute electroacoustic composition, made using improvised
material]
self-released (2007); edition of 50 in handmade wooden boxes with individual
screenprinted artwork
100 copies in hand-screened cardstock sleeves only available at live shows
Electric Old Wire Noise
5 tracks; self-released (2005); foil-stamped card box with 12" square
fold-out insert click the image to order through Organ Grinder Records
67 moons
33 tracks; self-released (2002); 67 copies in handmade sleeves all copies sold
wedontknowhowyoufindtimeforallofuslordbutweregratefulthatyoudo
6 tracks; self-released (2001); 50 copies in handmade sleeves all copies sold
some things people have said about us:
"One song is all The Monroe Transfer need; the audience – large, surprisingly so given it’s Sunday night and pissing down outside – stands transfixed by the seven-piece’s standalone offering this evening. Its name escapes, mumbled during the fading chatter ahead of the first instance of bow on strings. It runs for what is probably twenty minutes but feels like forever, and not in a negative sense, the band members visibly guiding the composition through varied stages of evolution. Beside me, two members of the next band on are flabbergasted, their mouths dropping open only for decency to snap jaws right back. From delicate passages of duel violin-led serenity (or is that a viola? Forgive my squinted-eyes ignorance) to a combustive climax that finds our stood-central (sometime) lyricist attacking his electric guitar with a fury clearly noticeable in his eyes, the cacophony building until the entire room feels a few inches off the floor. Slump, bang; bar talk follows some of the best applause a first-on act has ever received in the Luminaire." [Drowned in Sound]
"This seven strong group takes us on a dramatic and thought provoking journey, utilising guitars, violins, cello, double bass, drums and samples to deliver rich and vibrant sounds, holding much emotion within their music.
They travel through haunting and sparse moments, before progressing into lavish and grand soundscapes, with excellent use of dynamics and holding a great amount of drama, feeling like a movie score from some epic and affecting film.
At moments there are intense barrages of sound, with all the members creating a frantic and kinetic scene, taking things to the extremities of instrument bending with hefty guitar feedback, fevered violin playing and tempestuous, hectic percussion, while at other times they saunter into poignant and thought provoking parts, which hold great clarity and depth.
The Monroe Transfer are seriously dripping with talent; most of them must have been classically trained, as their level of playing ability is exceedinly high. Add to this their brilliant ability to write very strong material and you’ve got a fine band to watch. Definitely recommended." [Subba Cultcha]
"At their most beautiful, The Monroe Transfer are able to lightly brush the places that so few other instrumental acts can...it’s exciting when a band that features not a single singer is able to take you away to someplace other than the here and now on fabulous waves of orchestral sound. The Monroe Transfer, at their most beautiful, are that band." [Drowned in Sound]
"Listening to the Monroe Transfer is like falling down Alice's rabbit hole - there's no telling where the music will lead" [BBC OneMusic]
“Packaged in a lavish multiple-fold-out textured box and beautifully assembled, this hand-numbered limited edition has been the envy of everyone who has set foot in the office this week...The Monroe Transfer may have seemingly come out of nowhere, but with their debut release have crafted a post-rock classic that sets them among the ranks of the best in the genre...There's an epic quality here...this is something very special indeed” [Boomkat]
“The Monroe Transfer are instrumental, post rock, but with a difference. The inspired choice of double bass, cello and violin among the instruments tonight
provides ample ammunition to pull their pieces (for to call them songs would be a vast understatement) in all kinds of directions. So during the initial piece the music conjures up ballet dancers pirouetting across the stage until they're cast aside by visions of Salvador Dali's 'Un Chien Andalou', sliced eyeballs and all. Before we can recover from this fifteen minute assault we're into the second piece which sounds like they've taken Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain' outside for a good kicking. After a couple more they're off, having sculpted and destroyed numerous epic soundscapes” [Carling Live reviews]
“Setting the 'old wire noise' (viola, cello, electric guitars) of the album's title against odd bursts/washes of electronics and emphatic drumming, the
Monroe Transfer's music is basically uncategorisable...their music is intense, slow-building, hypnotic, even mesmerising in its effect...an utterly beguiling mix of plangent strings, flickering guitars, electronic noise and forcefully tasteful drums building to uplifting climaxes" [Vortex Reviews]
"The Monroe Transfer’s music is big and bold, confident and complex; it relies little on repetition and quiet-loud-quiet dynamics, and is all the more stirring for its reluctance to adhere to tried-and-tested formulas...Arrangements are executed by a plethora of instruments, traditional and absolutely not: violins are employed with the same care and attention to detail as screwdrivers and mallets, and the band’s percussion section is forceful and direct. An uplifting listen, Electric Old Wire Noise may dredge melancholy waters for inspiration, but its assembly is an exercise of joy above all else." [Drowned in Sound]
see you on the 1st, your music is the best i have ever seen live, well done guys ( hey nicole - remember me? Dan robinson's friend from a loooong time ago) xx
I seriously had a good time last night. Thanks to all you guys and girls for being so bloody lovely and all round good eggs. new england i think is going down as one of my favourite moments of recent times. bring on the collaborative record!!
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