New Atlantis Records has announced the debut LP of Unnatural Ways, the trio led by virtuosic guitarist Ava Mendoza. This slab of wax delivers unabashed, raucous sonics, marrying the menacing tones of the creative rock underground to haunting, arcing compositions, potentiated by the fiery spontaneity of classic free jazz. Recently heralded as one of Guitar World’s “10 Female Guitarists You Should Know,” Ava’s playing is unapologetically searing, and she magically coagulates the influence of warped blues players, noise-rockers, and technically prodigious brutal-proggers alike.
The live incarnation of Unnatural Ways’ rhythm section now features the bassist Tim Dahl (Child Abuse, Lydia Lunch) alongside drummer Max Jaffe (killer BOB, Normal Love). Mendoza has two previous albums under her own name; a solo album (Shadow Stories, Resipiscent, 2010) and a guitar/drums duo record with Unnatural Ways drummer Nick Tamburro (Quit Your Unnatural Ways, Weird Forest, 2011). It is worth noting that Ava is a veteran of innumerable sonically diverse collaborations, with an impressive roster of creative musicians, including Carla Bozulich, Fred Frith,Nels Cline, Tune-Yards, Mike Watt, Henry Kaiser, Weasel Walter, Luc Ex, Thollem McDonas, Damon Smith, and Jamaaladeen Tacuma, among many others, with recordings on vanguard independent labels like ugEXPLODE, Not Two, Tompkins Square, and Edgetone.
The record drops April 14.
Stream various tracks from “Unnatural Ways” HERE!
UNNATURAL WAYS Eastern Seaboard Tour: Ava Mendoza- guitar, vox / Tim Dahl (Child Abuse, Lydia Lunch)- electric bass / Max Jaffe (Normal Love, Killer Bob)- drums
3/7 Charleston, SC @ Local 616
3/8 Orlando, FL @ Park Ave CDs (Presented by The CM5)
3/9 Jacksonville, FL @ Raindogs
3/10 Atlanta, Georgia @ Eyedrum
3/11 Asheville, NC @ The Mothlight w/ SHANE PARISH TRIO (Ahleuchatistas)
3/12 Columbia, SC @ Conundrum Music Hall
3/14 Baltimore, MD matinee show 5 pm @ Windup Space w/ LIZ MEREDITH, SPECIAL PEOPLE
3/14 Philly, PA nighttime show 8:30 pm @ Red Horse Studio (Presented by Fire Museum) w/ WEASEL WALTER/CHRIS PITSIOKOS DUO
3/15 Brooklyn, NY @ Silent Barn w/ HATHENTER (Mick Barr/Colin Marston guitar duo) CHRIS CORSANO solo drums/percussion ANDREW HOCK (guitar) JEREMIAH CYMERMAN (clarinet) duo
UNNATURAL WAYS European Tour:
4/4 Moosburg, DE @ Jazz Club Hirsch
4/5 Bremen, DE @ Die Friese
4/7 Christiania, Copenhagen, DK @ Science & Cocktails
4/8 Oslo, NO @ Victoria Nasjonal Jazzscene
4/10 Copenhagen, DK @ Christianshavns Beboerhus w/ MARIA FAUST TRIO,? MONGOL
4/11 Hanover, DE @ Stumpf
4/12 Berlin @ TBA
4/14 Cologne, DE @ Stadtgarten
4/15 Wurzburg, DE @ Freakshow w/ CA (France)
4/16 Amsterdam, NE @ Bimhuis
4/17 Utrecht, NE @ Rumor Festival
4/18 Lille, FR @ CCL w/ YOLK, THE WITCHES