Austerity Measures by Andy Clausen

For Bandcamp Friday, April 2021, I am thrilled to FINALLY share this recording from the archives called “Austerity Measures.” This piece is 5+ years in the making and would not have been possible without the immense help from a long list of friends & collaborators.

Originally commissioned for the Juilliard Beyond The Machine Festival, here is the original program note I wrote for the piece back in 2016:

“Austerity Measures” features a vibraphone soloist flanked by two identical quartets of trumpet, trombone, cello/bass, and electric guitar. Each quartet is bound to a specific pitch-class set representing their distinct point of view. A violent debate ensues as both groups become increasingly polarized, stubborn, and insistent in their starkly contrasting points of view. The vibraphone soloist acts as somewhat of a moderator in the debate, provoking a passionate discourse in search of some common ground. However, no such compromise is reached, as our moderator is plagued by his own inner debate and the discourse dissolves into chaos. “Austerity Measures” combines two existing ensembles versed in a variety of written and improvised musical traditions, The Westerlies and Andy Clausen’s SHUTTER Project.

andyclausen.com