Bend/Boogie/Break (2018)
(for mixed sextet)

The title Bend/Boogie/Break describes the character of three recurring ideas in the work:

• Bend refers to the use of glissandi and pitch bends (particularly strings)

• Boogie refers to the underlying funk bass

• Break: as in, to break apart or a ‘breakdown’ section (perhaps a nod to metal rhythms!)

Inspiration is drawn from post-rock, funk, and honky-tonk piano, as well as the overarching idea of warping vinyl and things ‘going wrong’ – perhaps bent out of shape, broken, or not quite right.

Commissioned by Penny Le Couteur and Greg Dickson, and first performed by Ensemble Offspring