Koto Power Trio!

It's hard to think of a western equivalent for the transformation that Michiyo Yagi has wrought on the koto. The Japanese zither is normally synonymous with sedate plink-plonking, but in Yagi's hands it's an instrument capable of startling violence and power – witness her collaborations with fiery improvisers such as Peter Brötzmann and Keiji Haino. She's upping the ante with her latest project, enlisting frequent co-conspirators Jim O'Rourke (on 'guitar, etc.') and drummer Tamaya Honda for an evening of full-on power improv. Yagi will play electric 21-string and 17-string koto, and also chip in on vocals. Should be fierce.