Eighteen Squared

18-squared was formed at CalArts in 2001 to play Steve Reich’s music. We are totally obsessed with Reich’s music, and we are lead by this crazy guy with integrity named Mike Robbins (who needs to talk a little more slowly), who wanted to play and experience Reich’s music so much that he formed the group for this purpose. We learn the music in a very hands-on way (often by rote), similar to West African music, which has had a strong influence on this Reich’s music. As such, we use minimal notation and frequently memorize pieces in part, if not whole. The members of the ensemble have a mixed background, from traditional “classical” music to West African music, Javanese and Balinese music, Indian classical music, and drumline. Because of that eclectic mixture, we feel we bring a unique kind of energy and quirkiness to Reich’s music—a balance of intensity and sensitivity, and always with total conviction. We’ve played throughout southern California, and are poised to take over the world! For those unfamiliar with Reich’s music, let’s just say he is one of the most widely respected living American composers, and one of the founders of “minimalism”. He writes repetitive, awesome, groovy music for ensembles that often include large numbers of pianos and mallet percussion instruments, among other things (such as singers imitating the sounds of other instruments, sampled sounds of speech and urban life, etc.) Many of his pieces treat traditional western instruments as if they are instead members of an African drum ensemble, or a Balinese gamelan. In addition being influenced by non-western music, Reich’s work often uses a layering of multiple processes simultaneously, as well as techniques and ideas from deterministic late classical music, or serialism, from the 20th century, the very stuff Zappa had "not a speck of.” The music can be fast, groovy, and interlocking but it can also can be a nice mellow, meditative thing. Either way, it’s a truly awesome rush for both us and the audience. We're silly, we’re serious, and we really wanna do a great job. The music itself and playing it are life. We do it because we love it. Check out some of our recordings here, all of which are taken from live performances in the past few years. And if you’re in L.A., come check out one of our concerts so you can have the Reich experience first-hand!