Kline holds a degree in English Literature and was a figure in the downtown New York rock scene in the 1980s with an art-punk band called the Del-Byzanteens – whose ranks included filmmaker Jim Jarmusch and painter James Nares. He has toured the world as a veteran of Glenn Branca's legendary guitar army and collaborated with photographer Nan Goldin on the soundtrack to her Ballad of Sexual Dependency.
Kline's signature boombox piece "Unsilent Night" debuted on the sidewalks of Greenwich Village in 1992 and has now become an annual cult holiday tradition. The spectacular symphony is a public "parade" of hundreds of boomboxes carried through city streets during the Christmas season resulting in a mobile soundscape out of other-worldly voices and bells.
Recent works include the brutal and compelling song cycle, "Zippo Songs" - based on poems that American GIs inscribed on their cigarette lighters in Vietnam, and his Rumsfeld songs; as well as songs and music for theatre and dance like a surrealist chamber opera, "Locus Solus," featuring vocalist Theo Bleckmann; "Around The World In A Daze," a 5.01 surround-sound DVD commissioned and composed specifically for surround-sound; and "Everywhere," a full-length mixed-media dance score for the Wally Cardona company. In the works is a new song cycle based on the writings of Hunter S. Thompson – "Fear And Loathing."


LIONHEART

Lionheart, for whom Phil Kline’s "John the Revelator" was written, is an all-male vocal sextet that specializes in medieval and Renaissance a cappella music. These six men leap tall buildings in perfect time, and execute challenging vocal pieces dating from the earliest chant to those just finished last month, "with the flawless precision of a Jean-Claude van Damme action sequence..." - Critic's Choice, Pitch Weekly (Kansas City, MO) The group's extraordinary vocal talents become apparent from the first notes of their velvety rich tones, which is always weepingly blended and delivered with superb articulation and a crisp rhythmic sense.
Lionheart has previously joined forces to collaborate with Anonymous 4 and the all-female vocal trio Cascabel and they frequently present the work of living composers like Julia Wolfe, Steve Reich, Marc-Andre Dalbavie, and Philip Glass. In New York City, Lionheart performs regularly at The Cloisters and is ensemble-in-residence at Saint Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church. Lionheart has also appeared at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, at Lincoln Center, on the Music Before 1800 series, the Guggenheim Museum, Kennedy Center, the National Cathedral and the Folger Library in Washington, D.C., and several international locales.


ETHEL
Ethel is a badass quartet of four world-class musicians who have come together to create a hot new sound. Bluesy, hard swinging, playful, and fueled by fiery passion, Ethel defies categorization. This musically omnivorous string band from New York City has been described as "the fiercest string quartet this side of hell," and their irreverence and panache inspires raves from every corner. In its seven seasons together, Ethel has created its own rich playing style -- a fusion of blues, rock, classical, jazz, and experimental genres -- that has developed from each member's unique experience in the music world. Members of the group have collaborated with some of today's most compelling artists, including Sheryl Crow, Gorillaz, Roger Daltrey, Yo-Yo Ma, Ornette Coleman, and Lenny Kravitz. Ethel is a favorite at countless festivals and venues around the globe, as well as a ubiquitous presence on the New York music scene.

Additional Resources:
» Phil Kline’s website
» Phil Kline’s MySpace
» Lionheart’s website
» Lionheart’s Mgmt's website
» Ethel’s website
» Ethel’s MySpace
» New Sounds Live 2006-2007 Concert Season
» World Financial Center