Local artist stimulates Evansville scene with new interesting sounds.

Brett Siler describes the sounds he creates as post minimalism, which has stemmed from many inspirations.

It’s a mix between minimalism, classical music and black, sludge metal, he said.

“It’s kind of like post minimalism, inspired by composers from the 60s,” Siler said. “They created minimalism.”

A few of his inspirations include Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass.

“The music very much focuses on rhythm combined with stacking and staggering,” he said. “It creates a huge sound.”

Siler is well versed in different instruments. He has been playing the guitar for 16 years and the piano for 10 years. This post minimalism sound is a new stage for his career.

“Growing up I listened to a lot of punk and a lot of metal,” he said. “Now I listen to tons of stuff, and I saw a parallel with black metal and minimalism.”

Just overall huge sounds, he said.

Another up and coming local band sparked the idea of making this kind of music a reality, they just weren’t the greatest.

“The guitarist was getting off from the drummer, and every one was just not in time with each other,” he said. “Everything sounded warped.”

Siler said it sounded great.
“What if one guy played in one tempo, and then the other person’s playing in a certain tempo where it’s overlapping and creating these polyrhythms,” he said. “I think that’s what sparked my idea.”

He has played various venues in Chicago and even as far away as Brooklyn.

While in Brooklyn, he unintentionally bonded with a “skinhead” over red suspenders, which was one of the most awkward events on tour, he said.

Siler performs and records for bands and does live sound but currently he’s staying solo.

“I’ve been in bands for a long time and they always end up breaking up for one reason or another,” he said. “It can suck when you put a lot of time and effort into it.”

It’s very much like being in a romantic relationship, he said.

“Instead of having sex, you play music together,” Siler said.