18-squared

18-squared was formed at CalArts in 2001 to play Steve Reich’s music.  The group is "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."  Music is learned in a very hands-on way (often by rote), similar to West African music, which has had a strong influence on Reich’s music. As such, 18-squared uses 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, 18-squared brings a unique kind of energy and quirkiness to Reich’s music—a balance of intensity and sensitivity, and always with total conviction.