String Powered Hard Rock. Bringing the violin and cello out of the concert hall since 2014, Little Known Alien creates their brand of instrumental rock using extended-range electric violin and cello, and have been winning fans with their energetic live shows in the Providence area after releasing their debut album, Little Known EP.
Growing up together, identical twins Adam and Tim Nunes picked up the violin and cello in third grade. Though they loved their instruments, classical music was not what inspired them most. After meeting Mark Wood and discovering his company, Wood Violins, their paths would be forever altered. No longer confined to a chair or chinrest, the electric instruments provided the freedom of movement and expression that would allow the twins to play the music they loved on their chosen instruments. “These instruments opened up possibilities for performance and sounds that we could not produce previously, and enabled the use of guitar amps and effects to sculpt the sounds in new ways.”
After honing their skills performing with other groups, cellist Adam Nunes and violinist Tim Nunes decided it was time to form their own project. Joining forces with drummer Kurtis Bento in 2014, the identical twins set about recording their compositions and crafting their live show. “We have always shared a love of rock and metal music, and after gaining experience and confidence with previous projects, we decided it was time to launch our own band and bring our compositions to the masses!”
After performing locally, Little Known Alien has garnered support from area musicians and critics. Licks and a Promise was impressed enough to break with their primary focus of guitar-based bands to praise the group, “One of the opening acts was the unique electric violin-based local trio Little Known Alien. While Licks & a Promise is focused on guitar-based music, we feel that these guys are too good to ignore simply because there isn’t a guitar in the band.” Bill Ferri, formerly with local group Psychedelic Clowncar had this to say before the group’s first show: “Accompanying us on this explosive night, will be the menacing sounds of our good friends, LITTLE KNOWN ALIEN, a string trio of doom, born out of pure electric hellfire. Listen to this lineup: 7-string violin, 6-string cello and the driving, pulsing and earth shaking rhythms of the one and only, Mr. Kurtis Bento.”
Having completed their initial EP and played their first few shows, Little Known Alien is looking forward to expanding their reach throughout Southern New England and beyond, and are currently working on their next album and composing new music. They recently opened for instrumental band Consider the Source on their tour through the New England area, and have contributed to other projects including providing strings on recordings for Telergy and Sgt. Baker and the Clones.
“Even though we’re just starting out, we’re really excited about the music and audience response so far,” say the twins. “We look forward to meeting many new people and gaining fans.” Little Known Alien is working on booking shows for the rest of the year, and can’t wait for the chance to perform for you. Sign up for the Little Known Alien newsletter to be the first to know when they are performing near you and to receive exclusive behind-the-scenes perks.