Bon Harris (of Nitzer Ebb) releases new EP with Maven

[Low Tek]

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BON HARRIS, former co-frontman of cult electronic act Nitzer Ebb, has reemerged with his new band MAVEN and is about to release their first digital EP for Cordless Recordings. Rather than exclusively release music in the traditional album or single configuration, Cordless will issue the new music in "clusters," consisting of three songs by MAVEN in order to increase the interaction between the band and their fan base. Set for release April 4, the first cluster entitled Mary will feature the songs “Mary,” “Candidate” and “Silverbirds.” A video for “Candidate” will be available around the release of the Mary cluster or shortly thereafter.

MAVEN formed in Los Angeles (where Harris relocated to from Chicago and his native London) in 2001, a result of Harris’ desire to stretch his songwriting skills and use his voice for the first time. Joining Harris--who also plays keyboards--are bandmates Biff Sanders (Ethyl Meatplow) on drums and Andy Troy (Polar Bear) on guitar. Says Harris: “When it became apparent to me that the Ebb was going to implode, I already had some ideas in mind for writing songs. The last Nitzer Ebb album was more of a 50/50 thing, where we both contributed half of the songs, whereas before we’d come up with them together. So the seed was sown then.”


Harris came up with the new material over a period of several years, in between lengthy studio stints with Marilyn Manson and The Smashing Pumpkins. Some of the MAVEN tracks were recorded in Chicago while Harris was working with Billy Corgan and producer Bjorn Thorsrud (Smashing Pumpkins, Dandy Warhols). Others were written and recorded in Los Angeles and at Thorsrud’s studio in Salt Lake City, UT.

The resulting material features Harris’ distinctive electronics and rhythm programming, and marks the first time that he’s the sole frontman. The result is both explosive and propulsive. Nitzer Ebb fans will recognize MAVEN’s sound; yet with the additional personnel, there's a greater level of sophistication that will please both the hardcore fans and appeal to the new audience. “The main difference is I’m singing and I wrote the songs,” explains Harris. “My voice is very different and the sorts of things I sing about are different. There’s certainly a connection to Nitzer Ebb, especially in the electronics, which is what I am best-known for.”

Also not surprising is MAVEN's furious must-see live show, driven by Harris' fierce, brooding presence from the stage. SXSW attendants will be able to see MAVEN’s performance at the Cordless Recordings showcase, taking place March 17 at the Pecan St. Ale House (310 E. Sixth St) in Austin. The band will also perform at MECCA in Las Vegas on April 4 (venue TBD).

www.mvnmusic.com

www.myspace.com/mavenmusic

www.cordless.com