Bee vs. Moth - About Us

Get email updates Email us: band@ beevsmoth .com	Bee vs. Moth is a multiple-genre, weirdo instrumental rock band from Austin, Texas. Our mission is to bravely explore the little-traveled and oft-neglected territory between Ornette Coleman's doom metal band and Mr. Rogers' dude ranch. Along the way, we'll tromp through a few Latin tunes, knock over some perfectly good chords, and spill improvised solos on our nice, clean shirts. Or as our friend put it, "You guys sound like Sonic Youth meets the Tijuana Brass." Intrigued? Appalled? Come see us soon!
	Sarah Norris (drums, percussion) Sarah plays drums for Bee vs. Moth, but plays vibes with other Austin groups like Benko, My Education, the New Music Co-op, and the Golden Arm Trio / Golden Hornet Project. Highlights as a guest include performances with Eugene Chadbourne and Fred Lonberg-Holm. In 2005 Sarah led the New Music Co-op in performing new works for her reconstructions of Luigi Russolo's Futurist instruments, the intonarumori. Currently she is collaborating with Josh Robins to arrange Mussorgsky/Ravel's Pictures at an Exhibition for a combined ensemble of Bee vs. Moth and The Invincible Czars. By day Sarah is a conservator for the Texas State Archives.
	Philip Moody (electric & upright bass) Philip's long interest in creative music, jazz, and the lower register developed over the years while playing tenor and bass trombone, hosting a jazz radio show, and performing in a wide variety of settings. He is the bassist for a local community big band and occasionally performs with the New Music Co-op, Mongoose, and other groups. Philip has played in numerous rock bands, jazz groups, country bands, orchestras, etc. Trombone playing is a distant memory, but thankfully Bee vs. Moth pushed him back to upright bass after many years of separation. Philip and Sarah write most of Bee vs. Moth's music.
	Aaryn Russell (guitar) Aaryn began touring and playing music at age 8 as his family band's keyboard player, and perhaps never recovered from the experience. He primarily plays guitar, but also plays bass, keys, and other instruments. In recent years, Aaryn has been an active member of a diverse assortment of local groups: Muppletone, Mike Truth & the Replacement Killers, Mostly Dead, Limbs are Absent, Revart74, Noistet, and Easy Motion Tourist. He ocasionally performs as a guest with Adam Sultan Moment, The Invincible Czars, Mistress Stephanie, Foot Patrol, Golden Arm Trio, and assorted other stage and studio projects. Aaryn's other interests include painting and bad jokes.
	Ivo Gruner (trumpet) Ivo was among the earliest musicians to join Bee vs. Moth. Believe it or not, he actually joined the band after answering an ad in the Austin Chronicle. We have yet to meet another band that found a permanent member the same way. Ivo tends a small farm behind his house, and his favorite movie is that one where Clint Eastwood is a cop and his partner is a chimp.
	Thomas van der Brook (bari & tenor sax) The VERY day Thomas got his first bari sax, he was asked to join Bee vs. Moth. He valiantly tried to be a hired gun and avoid his destiny as the low brass section, but after his first gig Thomas realized that further resistance was futile. He is now rooting for moth. Thomas plays violin and saxophone professionally in countless other settings. He also operates tonehaus, the studio where he engineered Bee vs. Moth's second studio album, Acronyms.