Tortoise

Ars Nova Workshop and R5 Productions present Tortoise at Union Transfer on November 6.

Tortoise have been expanding the definition of rock music for almost 30 years, nodding to dub, rock, jazz, electronica and minimalism throughout its revered and influential discography. The resulting sounds have always been distinctly their own. Tortoise, comprised of multi-instrumentalists Dan Bitney, John Herndon, Doug McCombs, John McEntire and Jeff Parker, conjure sounds that aren’t being purveyed anywhere else in music today. There’s a deeply intuitive interplay between the group members that comes only from over two decades of experimentation, revision and improvisation. And at a time when our brains are constantly bombarded by myriad distractions, Tortoise’s music reminds us that there’s something much greater out there. All we have to do is listen.

Featuring an opening set by Philadelphia-based trio, Basic. Both inspired by the Robert Quine/Fred Maher record of the same name and evocative of an imaginary electronic desert blues soundtrack, Basic is a new project with Chris Forsyth (guitar), Nick Millevoi (guitar, drum machine), and Mikel Patrick Avery (percussion/electronics).