October 13, 2025, 8pm
509 Atlantic Ave
11217 Brooklyn NY
Natural Information Society (NIS), the ensemble that has established itself as “a driving force in Chicago’s vibrant jazz, post-rock, indie, and creative music scene” (NPR Music) celebrates their new album Perseverance Flow (eremite records) at Roulette in Downtown Brooklyn on Monday night, October 13. NIS creates what they describe as "sonic harbor, meditative space, and kinetic momentum music." Realizing compositions by the incredible bandleader, improviser, and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Abrams, the group's core quartet includes Abrams (guimbri, electronics, dubs), Lisa Alvarado (harmonium, electronics, paintings), Mikel Patrick Avery (drums), and Jason Stein (bass clarinet).
“Funky minimalist jam-rambles somewhere between Terry Riley, Fela Kuti, Can and Battles…has the tumbling appeal of krautrock but the complex melodic/textural overload of minimalist classics.” –Rolling Stone
“Patient, layered music that’s always heading somewhere, sometimes spare and sometimes complex and shimmering.” –The New York Times
“Abrams discovers new levels of mood and tone; his pieces seem to escape time completely. “ –Pitchfork
Among the defining projects in 21st century underground music, Natural Information Society has released seven albums on eremite to great critical acclaim, and two collaborative albums with Bitchin’ Bajas on Drag City. Since returning to bandstands in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Natural Information Society has performed at Big Ears, Pitchfork Music, Guelph Jazz, and Jazztopad Festivals (2022); the Vision Festival, Jazz em Agosto, Le Guess Who, and Jazzfest Berlin (2023); and FIMAV, Hyde Park Jazz, and Jardin Sonoro Festivals at Instituo Inhotim (2024). The band has performed in conjunction with exhibitions of Lisa Alvarado’s visual work at venues including REDCAT (Disney CalArts), Wadsworth Atheneum, Moody Center, and The Kitchen.
NIS is ever-evolving. Current and past members include Hamid Drake, Emmett Kelly, Jeff Parker, Chad Taylor, Ben Boye, Ben Lamar Gay, Josh Berman, Nick Mazzarella, Mai Sugimoto, Jim White, Frank Rosaly, Jason Adasiewicz, along with guest soloists Ari Brown, Evan Parker, and William Parker.
Grammy Award-winning trombonist and composer Kalia Vandever opens the night solo, back at Roulette after a stunning performance with her quartet last year. Vandever also has an album releasing this fall on Northern Spy Records.
Tickets 25–35 USD at roulette.org.
