Portland Cello Project

Review: Portland Cello Project’s Homage

Portland Cello Project: Homage

Portland Cello Project: Homage (Jealous Butcher)

“H*A*M” (Kanye West & Jay-Z)

[audio:http://alarm-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/05-H_A_M.mp3|titles=Portland Cello Project: “H*A*M”]

Since 2007, the Portland Cello Project has taken the cello where few have gone before, offering chamber and string-based renditions of movie themes, pop songs, classical pieces, and more — even metal tunes such as Pantera’s “Mouth for War.” The group’s live and recorded output now boasts more than 900 pieces, varying between straightforward arrangements with a handful of cellos to setups of grandiose proportions, with a dozen of its namesake instrument being supported by full choirs, winds, and percussion.

The Portland Cello Project’s epic video for “Denmark”

The Portland Cello Project, which just stopped in Chicago for a headlining set in Millennium Park, is currently touring in support of its latest album, an instrumental odyssey entitled Denmark. The title song received music-video treatment by director Daniel Fickle from Two Penguins Productions. Depicting a shrimp attempting to escape from its polluted environment, the video offers timely social commentary while commemorating a friend of the band who struggled with cancer.

In other PCP news, the band is planning a fall tour of the USA and will begin work on a follow-up to The Thao and Justin Power Session. Read on for upcoming Portland Cello Project performances.