Glitch has evolved.

Although the genre has only been around for a little over a decade, the experimental blips, bleeps, and booms that define the music have quickly made its way up from its roots in the West Coast Underground. Glitch encompasses a multitude of “glitch” sound defects usually found in recording errors and are normally avoided. However, when these samples are paired with heavy hip hop influenced bass lines, the result is a piece of compositional artistry.

The Glitch Mob, was originally conceived as a 4 piece electronic ensemble consisting of Justin Boreta (Boreta), Ed Ma (edIT), Josh Mayer (Ooah) and Matthew Kratz (Kraddy). As pioneers of Glitch, they discovered their common passion for the music while playing in similar venues throughout the west coast. They eventually began performing their live sets together as a “tag team”, sampling over each others tracks, similar to a jazz ensemble.

In 2010 they released their debut album, “Drink the Sea”. Although originally composed of individual glitch artists, the album explores their composition and musicality as a single entity, abandoning some of their familiar sounds of their heavy hitting, glitch infused club floor tracks. Instead, the album strives to engage listeners in a form of musical storytelling through their mastery of several electronic mediums. Many of the tracks could easily find their place in dystopian movie scenes while others may put you in a place between psychedelic electro funk and cyber punk.

Prior to the release of “Drink to Sea” I had the opportunity to catch their live act and they certainly “left everything out on the floor”. The stage set flaunts an impressive collection of instruments: laptops, electronic drum kits, guitars, and most importantly, Lemurs. These interactive instruments made for a very kinetic live performance which has gained them widespread recognition beyond the West Coast underground.

Glitch Mob now exists as a 3 member team following the departure of Kraddy in 2009.

Listen to “Drink the Sea” and other remixes, mix tapes and works by the members HERE

Glitch Mob @ Rich’s Houston 05.21.10

THE GLITCH MOB : BEYOND MONDAY from BEMO | Brandon Hirzel on Vimeo.

Sources:
Wikipedia
Los Angeles Times
Last.FM