Mike Gangloff

Mike Gangloff is a Virginia-based fiddler and multi-instrumentalist who journeys back and forth between traditional and avant-garde music, seeking unity -- and beauty -- in archaic tunes and long drones, in melodies wrapped in freeform scree. He is a founder of bands that include veteran improvisers Pelt, old-time rowdies Black Twig Pickers, and most recently, the cosmic Appalachian quartet Eight Point Star. His new album, "Evening Measures" (VHF Records), focuses on solo fiddle compositions played on hardanger-style and octave-string instruments.