Thursday, March 15   8:00 p.m.
Cedar Street Courtyard   (208 W 4th St)

Add this to your SXSW Calendar

This is not your ordinary string quartet.
This is not your ordinary rock band.

The Section Quartet is
The Loudest String Quartet on the Planet!

The Section Quartet was formed on the principles of rock & roll: musicians challenging the establishment by knocking down the walls dividing two genres of music. With their kinetic arrangements, eclectic repertoire, and bold performance style, the worlds of classical and rock collide with spectacular results.

With thousands of albums sold, packed shows from New York to Los Angeles, acclaimed international tours, and scores of television and radio appearances, the word is spreading: The Section Quartet rocks.

In 1998, The Section Quartet emerged in Los Angeles as a recording entity with a dual purpose: to function as a string “section” on other artists’ records, and to take the rock string quartet to the highest level. Unlike other cross-genre groups, TSQ remains dedicated to original interpretations of the enduring rock compositions that will remain classic for years to come.

The Section Quartet’s surefire rock & pop sensibilities have led to studio and stage collaborations with music’s top artists and producers—from Wilco and Christina Aguilera to A Perfect Circle and David Bowie. The quartet has also recorded/performed with Jon Brion, Kelly Clarkson, Grant-Lee Phillips, Sam Phillips, Tenacious D with Dave Grohl, Fiona Apple, James Blunt, Pink, Wes Borland, Rick Springfield, Finch, Tesla, Al Stewart, Ryan Adams, Enrique Iglesias, Greg Dulli, The Zombies and Peter Case.

Producers such as Linda Perry, Jon Brion, Bill Bottrell, Tony Berg, Danny Lohner, David Bianco, Tom Rothrock, T Bone Burnett, Trina Shoemaker and Nick Launay regularly call on TSQ to add strings to their productions.

Individually established classical players in their own right, members of The Section Quartet have distinguished themselves with hard-driving rock & pop credentials. Before founding TSQ, string arranger/violinist Eric Gorfain performed with Jimmy Page & Robert Plant on their "Unledded Tour"; Gorfain has also recorded with Live and Eric Clapton. Violinist/arranger Daphne Chen has toured as a member of Quetzal, soloed with Los Lobos and Little Feat and recorded with Better Than Ezra and Ray Charles. Richard Dodd has played cello onstage and in the studio with The Bangles, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Smashing Pumpkins. And Leah Katz has contributed her viola expertise to Eve 6, Dishwalla, Destiny’s Child and Stevie Wonder.

Having built a reputation for their innovative, self-arranged renditions of Radiohead’s OK Computer and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, The Section Quartet were coaxed on to the live stage in 2002, quickly evolving into an electrifying concert experience not to be missed. Minutes after seeing TSQ perform at the renowned LA club Largo, Goldenvoice’s festival mastermind Paul Tollett offered them, not one, but two spots in the 2004 Coachella Music Festival lineup.

In concert, The Section Quartet plugs in and delivers their infectiously dynamic ensemble and rock solid rhythm. On more than one occasion, audience members have been spotted playing along on “air violin”!

TSQ is constantly adding new material to their live show and discography: songs by Led Zeppelin, Jeff Buckley, Tool, The Clash, Green Day, KISS, Ima Robot, Muse and dozens of others. In 2004, TSQ independently released No Electricity Required to rave reviews.