Formed in NYC in 1993, the improvising collective No-Neck Blues Band (NNCK) favors anonymity, autonomy, and obfuscation. Alongside founding member Keith Connolly (2016 AIR), they return to open ISSUE’s Fall season at First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn.
ISSUE presents the first commission from Eden Girma (2026 AIR). Part dreamscape and part summoning circle, an intimate diasporic familial archive is pieced together through the eyes of a five-year-old child.
In partnership with Franklin Furnace as part of their 50th anniversary commemoration and November release of "Back to the Present: 50 Years of Free Expression with Franklin Furnace" ISSUE presents an evening of performance and conversation.
Incorporating elements of noise, trance and minimalism, Sergei Tcherepnin (2012 AIR) presents new work for Serge Modular synthesizer.
Pianist, Gianni Lenoci, and soprano-saxophonist, Gianni Mimmo, create an improvised performance with decades of experimental, solo and ensemble-based performances under their respective belts. New York-based composer, pianist and educator, Ramin Arjomand, presents new work.
Ensemble Pamplemousse presents "Absurd Limitations," the emergent product of reducing, restricting, narrowing, squelching, slicing, and otherwise removing all unnecessary fodder. Contemporary chamber quartet, Yarn/Wire, perform "alphabeta" by Eric Wubbels and "Wolf" by Kate Soper.
The Collected presents new works for celebrated electric guitar quartet Dither, including premiers by Brent Miller, Adam Fong and Denise Gilson, and music by Lisa R. Coons from Dither's 2010 album. Each piece focuses on idiomatic elements of the quartet's sound palette from both classical and vernacular repertoires.
Seriously Ecstatic: Joshua White at the Fillmore East, 1968-70 is an account of the Joshua Light Show’s legendary two years at Bill Graham’s Fillmore East. Performing with The Doors, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and many others, the Joshua Light Show created extravagant visual experienes to accompany the music.
SKELETON$ usual quintet is expanded here for a night of new compositions, arrangements and ideas. The band will explore the outer limits of their work, with a large ensemble drawn from the wide spectrum of New York's underground music scene.
Cellist and composer Frances-Marie Uitti pioneered a revolutionary cello technique. Using two bows in one hand, she plays four-part sustained chordal passages and is able to execute intricate polyphony. Kurtag, Nono, Scelsi, and Andriessen among other composers have written for and dedicated works to her.
Acid Birds includes members from Peeesseye and Gold Sparkle Band, and released their self-titled LP in 2009 (QBICO). Andrew Barker formed the trio to perform his composition (also titled “Acid Birds”) and in early 2009 the band gave the piece’s second performance at ISSUE Project Room.
Seaven Teares, led by New York composer Charlie Looker, presents new work drawing influences from ancient European music, post-industrial folk and simple pop. Brooklyn-based indie-classical band, Build, led by composer Matt McBane, also sharing new work.