Joseph Engle
Ensemble Dal Niente's first set featured experimental classical solos and duets. The group includes vocalists, brass and woodwind players, a bassist, a saxophonist, a pianist, a violinist, a harpist and a conductor.
Deerhoof are a study in opposites. Mixing sugar-sweet melodies with explosive noise, they charm as they challenge. Satomi Matsuzaki's voice is cozy and familiar, but the songs' words sound alien, like transmissions from a planet ruled by cartoon unicorns. The band rocked UW Music Hall Saturday night with a special guest: Ensemble Dal Niente, a Chicago group that often recasts Deerhoof tunes as avant-garde classical compositions.
Peruse the gallery above for photos and notes about the show.
