Gret

Ut Gret is a self-described pan-idiomatic musical ensemble from Louisville, Kentucky. They are led by multi-instrumentalist Joee Conroy, who joined with French TV leader Steve Roberts in 1996. Boasting a full-bodied Rock-in-Opposition sound, they employ a myriad array of wind and stringed instruments including bouzouki, sitar, mandolin, bassoon, flute, bass clarinet, and many more, in addition to more standard rock instruments and electronics.

Ut Gret is a progressive group from Louisville, KY who incorporate elements of rock, jazz, classical, zeuhl, world musics and minimalism to build their musical landscape. When Jackie Royce joined Ut Gret in May of 2010, the first thing they did was schedule a recording session. Mark Englert (the Tom Bombadil of Louisville music) offered his house, chock full of his musical instruments (many of his own design), for the purpose. There were two long sessions of over an hour each. These were edited down to the length of a single CD by long-time Ut Gret friend and collaborator Denny Whalen.

US band Ut Gret has been around in one form or another since the 80's, although their history as a recording unit didn't start until the second half of the 90's. From their base in Lousville, Kentucky, they have created four full-length studio albums so far. The most recent of these is "Ancestors' Tale", which was released through the Italian label Altrock Records in the spring of 2014. Ut Gret's self-description on social network reads as follows: "Embracing rock, jazz, world music, classical music and the spirit of adventure found in the avant-garde we forge ahead". Definitely something to try if you tire of the common distorted guitar often featured in modern progressive rock and if you want a greater classical influence in your fusion, Ancestor's Tale by Ut Gret is a pleasant surprise.

Esben and the Witch have had an interesting career trajectory. Their debut, Violet Cries was a dreamy, melancholic mix of post-rock and dream pop that sat somewhere between those two genres without really being either one. It worked and worked well, and the band sounded hungry and ready for more. That was seven years ago, and the band are now preparing to release their fifth album, entitled Nowhere.