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Moe! Staiano

Moe Staiano is an experimental composer, drummer, percussionist, songwriter and multi-instrumental performance artist who has been at the forefront of the Bay Area improvisation scene for over a decade. He plays on (or smash into pieces) just about anything he can get his hands on, and somehow make a compelling musical statement out of it. Moe is conductor and composer for Moe!kestra! (now as Moe Staiano Ensemble, or under his name, Moe Staiano), a large-ensemble avant garde orchestra, which can feature over 30 musicians playing everything from violins, clarinets and cellos to drum kits, oscillators and electric guitars. Moe!kestra! performances are high-energy, electrifying experiences that create unique and memorable soundscapes that intrigue and beguile. Moe's innovative solo percussion shows feature prepared drum kit, found objects, audio looping and the inventive use of a "percussion guitar" woven in with performance art, which always gets the audience involved and eagerly expectant of what might happen next. He was a former member of [a=Sleepytime Gorilla Museum] and [a=Mute Socialite], and currently fronts his latest project, [a=Surplus 1980]. Since 2018, he has dropped the “!” from his performance name and goes solely just as Moe Staiano.