Upcoming:
The Egg Presents: LUNASA with support from ARMBRUSTER Triplum, Wednesday Dec. 9th
“Armbruster conjures music that is simultaneously ancient and new, poised between instant and eternity” ~Aquarium Drunkard
Known professionally under his surname, Connor Armbruster is behind a critically-acclaimed body of work exploring experimental, traditional, sacred, and fully immersive music; “weaving through deep, melodious repetitions that gently layer on top of each other, unfurling and changing in slow motion” (Bandcamp Daily). The Troy, New York based composer and violinist’s genre-crossing albums Masses (2022) and Can I Sit Here (2024) earned him a reputation as an artist “of astonishing range” (PopMatters) pushing the boundaries of electric and acoustic violin; a reputation compounded further by the return to his roots as a fiddle player with a full band on his more recent entry, Half My House (2026),
Armbruster’s latest project is no exception. With a newly-formed trio of violins comprised of Jessica Bowen, Lucy Nelligan, and himself (known collectively as Triplum), Armbruster presents a new type of piece which resurrects some of the earliest forms of written harmony developed at Notre Dame during the 13th century, filtered now through the lens of 21st century experimental music. Three distinct voices weave through each other, coalesce into unison, and break apart again. The effect is spellbinding, primordial, and uniquely soul-vibrating, brought to life by the trio’s remarkable cohesion.
Half My House expands upon the albums of traditional Irish music that heavily influenced Armbruster's musical upbringing by applying a kaleidoscopic lens. He was joined by Blue Ranger bandmates Josh Marre, Evan Marre, and Matt Griffin for a week at the historic Elizabeth Murray house, playing a lineup of fiddle, bouzouki, mandolin, guitars, bass, and the house's old upright piano. Together they create an unraveled and hypnotic take on traditional music woven with field recordings from the house and grounds, hoping to reflect some echo of the artists and families that have created there over the years.