Abbie from Mars

Mrs. Hands

Tonal Masher

The Elastro Series is pleased to welcome NYC artist Abbie from Mars to headline their June event. Her work incorporates tap dancing, electronics via Max MSP, and highly physical performances. Don’t miss this first-time Chicago visit! We’ll also be treated to a set from sometimes-Chicago resident Aram Shelton’s Tonal Masher project before he splits town again for another European extended work stay. This project involves a vintage Conn saxophone, a removed mouthpiece, and Max MSP. Nicky Alonso will then bring a set from their Mrs. Hands project. Don’t miss this special Friday night Elastro Series!

Artist Bios

Abbie is from Mars (PA). Now based in New York City, she makes and performs experimental pop music with a penchant for improvisation, noise, and performance art. Her act is unique for incorporating tap dance with live processing in Max/MSP between raw, impassioned, highly physical performances of her songs. A champion of the underground, Abbie is the host of RadioActivity, a weekly radio show at freeform station WFMU. Abbie performs regularly across NYC venues and DIY spaces and has also played cities in California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ontario. She has performed at cultural institutions including Stanford University’s CCRMA Stage; Joe’s Pub, a Program of The Public Theater; and National Sawdust. She graduated in 2020 from Princeton University, where she studied History and Creative Writing and was a member of PLOrk (the Princeton Laptop Orchestra) and Program Director at WPRB.

Tonal Masher is the solo electroacoustic project of Aram Shelton. Shelton explores a different aspect of a 1937 Conn alto saxophone by first removing the mouthpiece and reed. Using feedback generated via saxophone, microphone and amplifier, he uses nontraditional fingerings to coax an instrument specific set of tones from the vintage horn. Using a custom built Max patcher, the resulting music features patient polyphony from a monophonic instrument, and highlights the percussive aspects of the saxophone via key clicks and pad thumps.

Mrs. Hands is an experimental sound artist, musician, and tax payer. She creates extraordinary sounds using her hands. She produces a range of supersonic, imbecilic, and magical sounds that convey a truly unique experience. With her exceptional talent, Mrs. Hands can create a distinct sound that will mesmerize the audience and leave them in awe of her musical abilities. Whether you are a music fan or an avid experimental sound enthusiast, Mrs. Hands is a must-see performance that is sure to captivate your senses.

$15 / $10 w/ Student ID - Tickets Available at the Door