1, 2 Step

Just as library science is more complex than scanning endless rows of ragged, dog-eared books via the Dewey Decimal System, and keeping quiet for hours on end, Seattle-based electronic/dub conceptualists Library Scienceare stretching the complexities of dub music by performing it live. “It’s sort of a strange concept because dub was created in the studio,” explains bassist/sampler Andy Arkley, who started Library Science in 2002 as a studio project before turning it live three years ago. Needless to say, the challenge was figuring out how to do it. But between the debut release of 2004’s High Time Honey, and their just-released follow-up, The Chancellor, the band—including Peter Lynchon guitar, trumpet, keyboard, and xylophone and melodica/synth player Courtney Barnebey—found a way through the use of two mixing boards that trigger fades, echoes, reverb, and delays, just like in the studio. “We try to get the groove and feeling of dub—like you’re in some underwater echo chamber,” says Arkley. Their set packs a playful and engaging mix of well-rehearsed structure and loose improvisation topped off by visually stunning video projections and animations. “We’re definitely pushing the limit but we don’t try to take ourselves that seriously. It’s all pretty absurd.”
Thu., Aug. 30, 10:30 p.m.