The Luminescent Orchestrii

The Luminescent Orchestrii
Origin New York City
Genres World, punk, etc.
Years active 2002 (2002)–2012 (2012)
Labels Nonesuch
Associated acts Carolina Chocolate Drops
Past members Sarah Alden, Sxip Shirey, Rima Fand, Julie Carney, Benjy Fox-Rosen, Aaron Goldsmith

The Luminescent Orchestrii was an experimental music group based in the United States, primarily in New York. Founded in 2002 by a number of violinists, composers, and multi-instrumentalists, they released their debut album in 2004.[1] Review site PopMatters described their 2009 album Neptune's Daughter as "tunes from Romania and Moldavia have been smartened up, the jagged parts polished off to make them move more neatly, and with more of a sensual, jazzy roll."[2] The band often collaborates with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, with their video premiere covered by Paste Magazine.[3] Members have included artists such as Sxip Shirey, and they have performed at FloydFest and other large festivals.

Musical style

According to Steve Leggett of Allmusic, the band "combines Middle Eastern, Gypsy, and traditional European music with Appalachian fiddles, hip-hop beats, and a punk attitude to deliver a frenzied anywhere sound that resonates as old and completely new at the same time."[1]

In 2010, Jesse Larner of Huffington Post commented on a show where the Orchestrii opened for Dresden Dolls, calling the Luminescent Orchestrii "wild experimental (yet deeply traditional, and deeply respectful of tradition) Balkan music of Luminescent, subtle and complicated gypsy melodies played on fiddles, accordions, and 'bullhorn harmonica.' Music whose power will make your hair stand up on end."[4]

The group modified many of their instruments. for example, Aaron Goldsmith uses a modified guitarrón with an elongated neck that allows him to play melodically.

Members

Previous members

Discography

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Albums

Albums by The Luminescent Orchestrii
Year Album title Release details
2004 Luminescent Orchestrii
  • Released:
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CD, digital
2007 Too Hot to Sleep
  • Released: Feb 7, 2007
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CD, digital
2009 Neptune's Daughter
  • Released: Jan 20, 2009
  • Label: Nine Mile Records
  • Format: CD, digital

EPs

Year Title Album details Peak chart positions[5]
Grass
(Year)		 US Grass US Folk US Heat
2011 Carolina Chocolate Drops/Luminescent Orchestrii EP
  • Release date: Jan 25, 2011
  • Label: Nonesuch
 21 3 11 32
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

References

  1. 1 2 Leggett, Steve. "Luminescent Orchestrii". Allmusic. Retrieved 2015-02-02.
  2. ↑ "Luminescent Orchestrii: Neptune's Daughter | PopMatters". popmatters.com. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  3. ↑ "Video Premiere: Carolina Chocolate Drops' "Short Dress Gal" (with Luminescent Orchestrii) :: Music :: News :: Paste". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  4. ↑ Larner, Jesse (July 22, 2010). "Sxip Shirey and Sonic New York". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2015-02-15.
  5. ↑ "Luminescent Orchestrii Biography". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-02-02.
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