Infernal Machines is the debut studio recording by New York’s acclaimed 18-piece steampunk bigband, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, a group the New York Times’ Nate Chinen describes as “calibrated for maximum intrigue, with a sound that suggests Steve Reich minimalism as well as orchestral jazz in the lineage of Bob Brookmeyer (one of Mr. Argue’s mentors).” This release, which takes its name from a John Philip Sousa quote about the dangers of music technology, features new definitive studio recordings of material Argue and the band have been developing since their first gig in 2005. “No swing-era revivalist,” writes Time Out New York’s Hank Shteamer, “Argue draws on the full spectrum of modern rock, jazz and classical music with his band, Secret Society. Yet his complex, emotionally charged pieces handily transcend pastiche...the album ought to not only raise Argue’s profile, but also serve as a reminder that big-band jazz needn’t be a fossil.” Musicians WINDS Erica vonKleist flute, alto flute, soprano & alto saxophones Rob Wilkerson flute, clarinet, soprano & alto saxophones Sam Sadigursky clarinet, soprano & tenor saxophones Mark Small clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone Josh Sinton clarinet, bass clarinet, baritone saxophone TRUMPETS & FLUEGELHORNS Seneca Black lead trumpet Ingrid Jensen Laurie Frink Nadje Noordhuis Tom Goehring TROMBONES Ryan Keberle Mike Fahie James Hirschfeld Jennifer Wharton bass trombone RHYTHM Sebastian Noelle acoustic & electric guitars Mike Holober piano & electric piano Matt Clohesy contrabass & electric bass Jon Wikan drum set, cajon, pandeiro, and misc. percussion