An ecotone is a transitionary area between two biological communities, an apt metaphor for the musical collaboration of Iva Casian-Lakos and David Crowell. By combining its members diverse musical backgrounds, eco|tonal has developed a new electro-acoustic sound straddling the intersection of ambient, contemporary classical, and experimental indie pop worlds. The music is spacious but also densely layered and texturally adventurous.
saxophone, electric guitar & electronics
Composer, instrumentalist & producer David Crowell brings a “singular vision that transcends genre” (Exclaim) to diverse forms of composed and improvisational music, and has been praised for compositional work that is "notable for its crystalline sonic beauty" (Boston Globe) and which “pulses with small, ecstatic fibrillations” (New York Times).
Commissioning ensembles have included the JACK Quartet, A Far Cry, Argus Quartet, Alarm Will Sound, New Morse Code, NOW Ensemble, Sandbox Percussion, and icarus Quartet. Recent new works for the Argus Quartet (2021) and Unheard-of//Ensemble (2023) have both been supported by Individual Artist Grants from the New York State Council on the Arts. A new string orchestra commission for A Far Cry will premiere at Dumbarton Oaks in April 2022, where he was also the Musician In Residence in Spring 2021. His music has been released on New Amsterdam, Innova, National Sawdust Tracks, Coviello Contemporary, and Skirl.
David has performed internationally as a member of the Philip Glass Ensemble from 2007-16, including a three year international tour of Einstein on the Beach and ten complete performances of Music in 12 Parts, and has also played with the Bang on a Can All-Stars, New York Philharmonic, L.A. Philharmonic, Steve Reich, Signal Ensemble & the Asphalt Orchestra.
cello & voice
New York-based cellist Iva Casian-Lakos is known for both her virtuosity and interdisciplinary versatility from classical cello to boundary-stretching new works, involving choreography, singing, acting, improvisation, and more.
Iva has recently toured Europe with Bang on a Can All-Stars, Sasha Waltz Dance Company, Synesthetic Project, and Ensemble Illyrica. Iva also performs across the United States as the newly appointed cellist of Unheard-of//Ensemble.
Iva collaborated with legendary vocalist and composer Joan La Barbara on a new work for singing-cellist commissioned by Bang on a Can and performed at their virtual marathon, Long Play Festival, and Noguchi Museum series. She has also worked with composers Christopher Stark, David Crowell, Wang Lu, Mak Murtić, and Erika Dohi. Iva enjoys collaborations with visual artists, videographers, and dancers in interdisciplinary projects.
Iva recently released her debut album with Ensemble Illyrica, hailed for their “creative ecstasy, freshness, tonal harmony and rhythmic clarity” (Novi List).