Boxhead Ensemble

Boxhead Ensemble originated as a vehicle for scoring the short documentary film Dutch Harbor. Michael Krassner assembled the improvisational collective in 1996, drawing on a fluid roster that at various points encompassed Will Oldham, Edith Frost, Ken Vandermark, the Tren Brothers, and additional contributors. The group’s music moved fluidly among classical, jazz, country, and noise elements. Its first recording appeared the same year via Atavistic Records, which issued the Dutch Harbor soundtrack. While the film toured Europe, the musicians documented the double live set Last Place to Go in 1998. Atavistic subsequently brought out Two Brothers in 2001, Quartets in 2003, and Nocturnes in 2006.