Unique States

A new monthly live music series aims to bring local experimental musicians together to collaborate and experiment onstage. It's called Unique States, and the first event will be held this Friday at The Buoy in Kittery, Maine. It's organized by Seacoast sound artist Sean Reardon.

Each event features three artists from one of three states - Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. With an initial list of over fifty artists willing to participate, Reardon used a list randomizing program to curate each month's selection of artists. He encourages them to collaborate beforehand and interact in a way that might not have happened naturally. It's another example of creative and innovative work being done right in our backyards.

The Jan. 9 show features Trachypithecene Entity (ME), who creates noise and ambient soundscapes similar to Merzbow and The Locust; Dave Seidel (NH), a composer of experimental microtonal electronic music, and bassist for the Peterborough-based free-jazz collective Sisters and Brothers; and Bhob Rainey (MA), who has collaborated widely with leading experimental sound musicians.