Video Premiere: House of Waters “Black Mallard” (Live at Rubbertracks)

Last August, I discovered House of Waters and was floored by their video, “In Waves”.

The band has just extended the honor of allowing us to debut this exclusive premiere of “Black Mallard,” performed live.

The trio of Moto Fukushima on bass, bandleader Max ZT on hammered dulcimer, and Ignacio Rivas Bixio on drums offers up such a unique – and big – sound.

For the past twenty-five years, House of Waters bandleader Max ZT has been playing the hammered dulcimer. And for the past ten, he has been building them. He has been working with a famous builder – David Lindsey – out of Oklahoma, and has modified the instrument in a variety of ways to better fit the modern context of his music. It was Max’s unique approach to an ancient instrument that first drew Michael League of Snarky Puppy to House of Waters.

“More important than the obvious virtuosity of its three players, House of Waters has an instantly recognizable and completely unique sound,” League shared. “Of course this is, in large part, due to the peculiar instrumentation of hammered dulcimer, electric bass, and percussion. But when I hear them, the years that they have spent together are apparent in every note they play. The chemistry between the members and each individual’s ability to use their instrument outside of conventional context makes them mesmerizing to watch and listen to.”

The band is currently on tour, with the following dates announced:

DateVenueLocation
Jan 6Winter Jazz Fest at Bowery ElectricNew York, NY
Jan 14Vashon Island Performing Arts CenterVashon, WA
Jan 19Seasons Theatre*Yakima, WA
Jan 20Musiquarium at The Triple Door*Seattle, WA
Jan 26Yoshi’sOakland, CA
Jan 27The SaintReno, NV
Jan 29Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2New York, NY
Feb 10-11The GroundUP Music FestivalMiami, FL

* with Tim Snider of Medicine for the People

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