Zs

Alex Mincek and Sam Hillmer: tenor saxophones
Charlie Looker and Matt Hough: guitars
Brad Wentworth and Alex Hoskins: drum sets

Zs is a New York band working between the worlds of Avant Rock and New Music. Mostly instrumental, the music often explores the extremes of compositional complexity and virtuosity as well as extended repetition. The sound ranges from bombastic Prog Rock counterpoint to barely audible breathing sounds. Several members contribute compositions, and some pieces are written collaboratively.

Zs formed in January 2002 and began performing in September, sharing bills with the Flying Luttenbachers, Touchdown, Gang Gang Dance, Young People, Ty Braxton and other experimental acts in New York and around the Northeast. They also performed in conjunction with Wet Ink Musics, a non-profit curatorial group for New Music, opening for seminal composer Christian Wolff.

In July of 2003 they released a self-titled CD on Troubleman Unlimited Records as the first installment of the Vothoc series, an imprint curated by Mick Barr of Orthrelm. Also in July '03, Zs did a three-week tour of the U.S., playing out to California and back, a total of 20 shows. They shared several bills with Animal Collective, as well as Orthrelm, Black Eyes and T.V. on the Radio.

In Fall '03 Zs released a limited edition 10 inch on Ricecontrol records, with two new pieces. They played at the CMJ Troubleman showcase at the Knitting Factory, and shared other bills in New York with Battles, Q and Not U, and El Guapo.

Zs has two upcoming releases, both with all new material: first a CD EP on Planaria records, followed by a four-band double 7 inch compilation on Ricecontrol, which will also include Orthrelm, Et At It and Thoughtstreams.