Classical Edge: Wray and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra

Wray, Birmingham’s own indie shoegaze trailblazers, are never hesitant to experiment with their music. They’re starting off 2016 with a sonic exploration of epic proportions.

On January 7, in the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center’s Jemison Hall, The Alabama Symphony Orchestra will perform the music of Wray. The fusion is part of the orchestra’s Classical Edge series, in which contemporary and classical music are blended through eclectic experimentation.

Wray’s songs will be adapted by the imaginative William Brittelle, a Brooklyn-based composer who excels in combining classical music with popular tunes. Listeners will be treated to Brittelle’s original work in addition to the Wray collabs. Of course, the band will perform several songs with the orchestra.

Wray’s music will receive a unique re-imagining for the orchestral treatment, taking the songs far from their original conceptions. “’Blood Moon’ and ‘Hypatia’ were written long ago and we had no idea that this opportunity would ever present itself,” says singer/bassist David Brown. However, a new piece, “Hedron,” was written specifically for the event. “We intentionally left it minimal so that William could create a proper composition with our idea.”

The orchestra will also perform a collaborative piece called “Color Drones.” This number was composed by Williams and layered with Wray’s own melodies.

Working with Birmingham-based label Communicating Vessels, Wray is set to release their second record soon after their orchestral collaboration. The new album, Hypatia, drops on January 15. “You can expect to hear our continued exploration in repetition, wall of sound, and textured driving melodies,” says Brown. “a honed-in/breezier representation of our live sound that will hopefully both put you to sleep and wake you up all at once.”

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available here.

The Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center is located at 1200 10th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294.