by Jim DorschOtolithen is a duo formed in 1993 by Päd Conca of Switzerland and Dirk Bruinsma of The Netherlands. Conca plays electric bass, a homemade string instrument, effects and foot-activated percussion, while Bruinsma sings and plays electric guitars, soprano saxophone and foot-triggered percussion. Conca and Bruinsma use prepared instruments and a wide range of effects. Their compositions exhibit rhythmic complexity, and range from delicate melodies to noisy sonic assaults. Otolithen released an album in Germany on their amf label in 1995. Their second release, S.O.D., was released by Cuneiform in 1997. Päd Conca played in the jazz/thrash band Lougaroo for five years, touring Europe and playing on their album in 1990. After the dissolution of Lougaroo, he performed solo and released four albums in Europe under the name Clee. Conca has also worked on music for theater and films. Dirk Bruinsma plays bass and baritone saxophone for the Dutch group Blast, which he co-founded in 1989. He has worked with Evan Parker, Fred Frith, George Lewis, Tim Hodgkinson and Barry Guy.