Hans Blix profile picture

Hans Blix

Second Record in the Works

About Me


Click Buy Now to purchase a Handscreened CD directly from Hans Blix. For international orders, additional shipping rates may apply.
CLICK HERE to purchase an album through CDBaby.
CLICK HERE to purchase an album through ITunes. ABOUT HANS BLIX REVIEWS
“a free-flowing mix of guitar noodling, drum solos, atmospheric electronics and groove-heavy basslines. Clearly these dudes know their shit. [Hans Blix] rocks like Battles, Jaga Jazzist, and Tortoise.”
- alternative press
“Scorning convention, Brooklyn trio Hans Blix does without such luxuries as composition and preparation.The band relies on body language and intuition to improvise cohesive works, with no more than a starting note predetermined... Drawing on years of musical training and experience, the members of Hans Blix build off of and expand upon each other’s thoughts, resulting in a dynamic and evolving sound.”
- the aquarian
ABOUT
There is a new improvisational sound coming out of Brooklyn. Possessing the fluidity of fusion ala Mahavishnu, the textured scoundscapes of electronica ala Squarepusher and quiet/loud indie rock dynamics of a Blonde Redhead this is music that captures your attention with epic playing chops but also entrances with ambient tones.
Hans Blix is the result of freely improvised sessions above a tire shop in Brooklyn, NY. The trio met at New York University, but connected musically through their experiences at the Center for Improvisational Music headed by Ralph Alessi.
The band has performed at major venues throughout New York and Brooklyn including Zebulon, Pianos, The Tea Lounge, Fat Baby, and The Delancy with guests like altoist David Binney.
BAND
Guitarist Dan Venne's work with instrumental rock band Cougar has been described by The Wire as, "a gleaming gem...gloriously precise and urgent", and by cdreviews.com as "pushing the boundaries of the instrumental medium.” He has toured both in the US and abroad, performing is countries such as Argentina, Slovenia and the UK. Dan uses the music software Ableton Live to create real-time loops and effects in Hans Blix.
Keyboardist/Saxophonist Brian Scherman composes and performs creative music throughout the Northeast, having performed at The Blue Note, the 55bar, the Knitting Factory, Ryles Jazz Club, and The House of Blues, with John Scofield, Ralph Alessi, and others. Brian maximizes the use of the diminutive Micro-Korg in Hans Blix, while also utilizing his Alto Sax processed through Dj-tools and electronics.
Drummer James Windsor-Wells is a sought after jazz and rock drummer performing with groups like SadRed, Irondog, and freelancing throughout New York. A Bay-Area native, James’ drumming brings together such diverse influences as Indie-Rock, Modern Jazz, Prog-Metal, all coalescing to form a distinct and unique style.
CONTACT
[email protected]
www.hansblixband.com

Download Hans Blix Presskit

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 8/25/2006
Band Website: hansblixband.com
Band Members: Dan Venne: guitar, effects
Brian Scherman: micro-korg, alto sax, electronics
James Windsor-Wells: drums

Influences: Hans Blix is influenced by the improvised and new musics that are happening right now.

Hans Blix is also influenced by this handful of musicians:

jan hammer
blonde redhead
mastodon
jaga jazzist
pelican
squarepusher
ralph alessi
dave binney
telefon tel aviv
hella
jan jelinek
lightning bolt
ludacris
frou frou
david torn
elijah torn
jim black
nels cline
mike gamble
50 cent
led zepplin
joanna newsom
mark helias
bjork
miles davis
bill frisell
astor piazzolla
ben monder
matmos
4tet
the mars volta
nirvana
snoop
tortoise
boards of canada
craig taborn
keith jarret
metallica
del mccoury
more later...

Type of Label: None

My Blog

Blix looking for Cali Gig 5/22 or 5/23

Hey all, as Blix nears our California Tour we're still in need of a gig on 5/22 or 5/23 in the areas of LA, San Diego, or Bakersfield. Got a gig? Need an opener? Give us a shout! Thanks!
Posted by Hans Blix on Sun, 27 Apr 2008 03:01:00 PST

back from tour - setting up something for may

well - i got back in one piece from the cougar tour. remarkably so... just a bit of a cough and some jet lag. it could have been way way worse.we are starting to set up our may tour for CA. so - if...
Posted by Hans Blix on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 09:42:00 PST

James Windsor-Wells on Modern Drummer!

James was featured in MODERN DRUMMER with his thoughts on recording "What's the Highest Number you can think of?" and what it's like to perform in a group that's totally improvised. Check it out!...
Posted by Hans Blix on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 09:14:00 PST

ALBUM RELEASED...

Before I start blogging I'd like to point out the "what im listening to" section of this post. In case you didnt know i teach guitar lessons to A LOT of 12-13 year olds. And i've had to teach this b...
Posted by Hans Blix on Tue, 06 Nov 2007 03:33:00 PST

CD release Gig

the mixes for the album are 98% complete thanks to a kick ass job by elijah b torn. mastering and duplication happen soon. we are still trying to nail down a location for the CD release. hopefully ...
Posted by Hans Blix on Fri, 07 Sep 2007 02:06:00 PST

New Tracks - Rough EP Preview

Hey, we've posted 2 new tracks that might be on our upcoming EP. They're pretty rough but we wanted to give you a little taste of all of the recording we've been doing. Look for our EP to hit early in...
Posted by Hans Blix on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:26:00 PST

Bushwick Starr

first we are playing at this crazy hipster bushwick party space thing. check it out http://www.thebushwickstarr.org it looks like it is going to be really amazing.secondlydoes anybody have any good ...
Posted by Hans Blix on Tue, 29 May 2007 08:35:00 PST

Still recording. Looking ahead.

Recording at the "tire shop" is truly a task to behold. We are slowly getting the right drum sounds, and starting to organize the hours of recorded material we have thus far. The projected goal is t...
Posted by Hans Blix on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 09:13:00 PST

Recording at The Tire Shop

We are working hard at drum mic'ing, signal routing, sound baffling, and not tripping over the 200+ chords that seem to go into each other and come from nowhere. Alas, our recording for our debut alb...
Posted by Hans Blix on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 08:51:00 PST

New Audio with Dave Binney

We've posted new clips from our show with Dave Binney at Zebulon. Many thanks to him for adding his amazing sounds and ideas.
Posted by Hans Blix on Sat, 17 Mar 2007 01:12:00 PST