Keening: to make a long and loud cry of sorrow.
the third entity is keening for the 21st century.
the third entity is more performance art than music. witnesses have described being transfixed and, at times, uncomfortable. the songs are centered around vocals, while vocal effects elude to disembodied spirits. the subject matter is existential. grief is the muse.
The custom of keening dates back to ancient times and manifests in many different cultures. keeners were professional mourners, usually part of a lineage, called upon to make guttural cries and wails when a community member died. their wails helped the mourners metabolize their grief, and helped the souls of the deceased pass on. It was not always a pretty sound. in fact, it could be uncomfortable, even strange.
This is reflective of some critiques and reactions audiences and listeners have had to the music and performances of the third entity. They have said it "scares them a little", it is "slightly disturbing," "etherial," and "futuristic."
The Third Entity is the solo project of Lynn Simonds, who has been writing songs for over 20 years, and performing for over a decade. With her bands or solo, she has shared the stage with Kristin Hersh, Mary Timony, TuNe-YaRds, And the Kids, Speedy Ortiz, GRLwood, Slothrust, She keeps bees, Braids, Bent Knee, Vundabar, and many independent and local acts.