The cellist discusses his work in High Plains, the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and the Willy Street Chamber Players. (Photo by Scott Morgan.)
High Plains, the duo of Madison-based cellist Mark Bridges and Canadian electronic musician Scott Morgan (best known for his solo project Loscil), released its debut album, Cinderland, in 2017. It’s a haunting, immersive release that combines Bridges’ patiently evolving cello melodies with Morgan’s dynamic approach to ambient music. The two played a show behind the album last year at the Gates of Heaven, as part of Tone Madison‘s concert series.
Bridges, also a member of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and the Willy Street Chamber Players, began collaborating with Morgan through a series of arts residencies in Banff and Wyoming; the pair first worked together on Adrift, a generative music app that shares some of High Plains’ darkly handsome DNA. High Plains also made an EP called Pilot Hill, initially selling it just on tour, but recently also shared it on Bandcamp. The music on Pilot Hill offers a window into Bridges and Morgan’s writing process, and hints at a warmer, perhaps even gentler, side of High Plains.
The duo is working on new music, and the Willy Street Chamber Players, a group that aims to make classical music more accessible, has its final concert of the summer season on July 27. Bridges sat down recently to talk about High Plains and his work as a classical musician in Madison.
Give the conversation a listen here, or subscribe to the Tone Madison podcast on Apple Podcasts. If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and consider supporting us financially with a one-time or recurring donation.
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