david strother

David Strother is an electric violinist and composer based in Southern California. “11.11.25,”a solo EP, and “Invisible Hands,” the second album from postmodern power trio DBC:Unit, are David’s latest releases. His extensive body of work also features a number of unique, exploratory solo collections including the recent EPs “Meteor,” “Ghost Voices” (newly remastered) and “El Tecolote Sings Songs to the Night.”

Other recent collaborative recording efforts include “Encounter” with the Caporaso Ensemble; the 2022 debut album from DBC:Unit; and “Televisions Dreaming,” the second of two adventurous duo sets from Space Yard (David + lap steel guitarist Scot Ray).  “Valaho,” a duo collection with guitarist Michael Gayle, was released in October 2022.

The critically acclaimed Corey Deshon-directed movie “Daughter,” an independent film which features David’s musical score and multitracked electric violin orchestrations, is now streaming on all major platforms.  It screened at Cannes in 2022 and then moved on to multiple film events including the Orlando Film Festival where it won top honors.

David’s composition “Almaraz” is also part of the soundtrack for the documentary “Carlos Almaraz: Playing With Fire,”  released globally in 2019 and added to Netflix in October 2020.

Another documentary, “Boundless Borders,” is currently on the film festival circuit and features David’s latest film score.

David has also contributed improvised solos and sonic textures to visionary German ambient musician Morgen Wurde’s “Von Jetzt An,” released in 2025, and “Fur Immer” and “Vermacht,” released by Wurde in 2020.  Those credits were followed by appearances on multiple albums curated by Italian ambient producer Raffaele Pezzella, including the 2023 releases “Deep Red” and “Mysterium.”

A veteran of the Los Angeles roots music scene, David currently gigs regularly with roots/psychedelia band Haywire and has also collaborated with the prog/fusion collaborative Stratos Ensemble, led by keyboardist Dean DeBenedictus.

David’s current solo music explores electronically looped soundscapes which are generated through the use of both orthodox and unorthodox violin techniques.  The improvisational spirit of jazz tradition remains a vital sonic element in his work, and despite the density created by looping technology, his intimate performances and recordings retain a quiet, nuanced intensity.

David Strother is an NS Design artist.

Photo credit, Patricia Krebs; painting, Sarah Stone.



Discography

Morgen Wurde—“Von Jetzt An” (2025)
“Unexplained Sounds Group—11th Annual Report” (compilation, 2025)
David Strother—“11.11.25” (2025)
”One World”—Adventurous Music (compilation, 2025)
DBC:Unit—“Invisible Hands” (2025)
David Strother—“Meteor” (2024)
David Strother & Mark Hjorthoy—“Slavery of the Bees” (2024)
Caporaso Ensemble—“Encounter” (2024)
“Witchcraft and Black Magic in the United States”—Eighth Tower Records (2024)
“Unexplained Sounds Group—9th Annual Report” (compilation, 2023)
David Strother—“Ghost Voices”  (2023)
“Mysterium”—Eighth Tower Records (2023)
“Deep Red”—Eighth Tower Records (2023)
“Unexplained Sounds Group—8th Annual Report” (compilation, 2022)
David Strother & Michael Gayle—“Valaho” (2022)
“Dracula-Music Inspired by the Bram Stoker Novel”—Eighth Tower Records (2022)
”Wagt/Sinnt”—Morgen Wurde & Tis (2022)
“Unexplained Sounds Group—8th Annual Report, mid year” (compilation, 2022)
DBC:Unit—“Ear Reverent” (2022)
“Unexplained Sounds Group—7th Annual Report” (compilation, 2021)
David Strother—“El Tecolote Sings Songs to the Night” (2021)
David Strother—“Transmitter” (2021)
“Unexplained Sounds Group—6th Annual Report” (compilation, 2020)
“Inward: 40 Tunes” (MixCult label compilation, 2020)
Joe Kevany—“Students of Tiananmen Square” (2020)
Morgen Wurde & Tis—“Vermacht” (2020)
Morgen Wurde—“Fur Immer” (2020)
Space Yard—“Televisions Dreaming” (2018)
David Strother–“In the Center of It All” (2018)
David Strother & Scot Ray—“Space Yard” (2016)
Jennifer Ruth Russell–“Lie Down in That Grass” (2015)
Michael Dallas–“Romance in Durango” (2015)
David Strother—“Azul” (2014)
David Strother—“Muse” (2013)
Lawrence Lebo–“the Best of Don’t Call Her Larry Blues Mix” (2012)
David Strother—“Soundings.live” (2011)
Scot Ray–”Earth Circuit” (2010)
Tito  Calloway–”Thugelligence” (2010)
Sonny Salsbury–“How’s About a Boa?” (2007)
David Strother—“The Desert Is Singing” (2006)
Davie Gayle–“Amber in the Clay” (2005)
Lawrence Lebo–“Don’t Call Her Larry vol. 2 & 3” (2004, 2010)
Nyofu–“La  Guitarra Turca”  (2004)
Susan J. Paul–”Big Love” (2004)
Alternate Faith–“Out of Nowhere” (1995)
CPD–“The Process”  (1990)

Television and Film Soundtracks

“Boundless Borders” (2025, soundtrack composer/performer)
“Daughter” (2022, soundtrack composer/performer)
“Carlos Almaraz:  Playing With Fire” (2019)
“The Rookie” (2002)
“The Straight Story” (1999)
“Nevada” (1997, on screen)
“Alien Avengers 2” (1997, on screen)
“Philadelphia Experiment pt. II” (1993, on screen)
“Doug” (Nickelodeon Channel) (1992)

Radio features

Evosonic, German electronic music program, Morgen Wurde “Fur Immer” album featured (2020)
O Baile des Bomberos, Ivo Martins, host, Radio Universitaria do Minho, Portugal (2007)

Web features

VoyageLA interview (2025)
Phantom Circuit #443 (2025)
Unexplained Sounds Group Recognition Test (numerous appearances, 2021-25)
Ricardo Acuna (theme music for website; scores for several videos (2008-2020)
Bowed Radio (podcasts, episodes #20, 52, & 82  (2007, 2008, 2011)

Performance art

“Black Gold Fever”–Ulysses Jenkins (2011)
“Without Your Interpretation”–Ulysses Jenkins (1983; in permanent collection, Whitney Museum)

Dance/movement collaborations

“Swan (part one)”–L. Martina Young, Lighthouse/Studio 502, Reno, NV (2013)
“Void”–Rebeca Hernandez, Pieter Performance Space, Los Angeles, CA (2012)

As co-leader

       DBC:Unit (current; improv/experimental/jazz)    
      Terje Lie/David Strother Quartet (1998/99; jazz)
CPD (experimental; 1990-92)

As sideman

         Caporaso Ensemble (current; jazz/experimental)
Joe Kevany & Haywire (2007-current; roots/country/blues)
 Stratos Ensemble (2019; fringe jazz/improv)
Circuit Assembly (2015-2016; experimental/electronica)
Rebekah del Rio (2006-12; torch/jazz)
Mobile Homeboys (2001-03; swing/jazz/blues)
Radio Ranch Straight Shooters (1992-2006; western swing)
Lawrence Lebo (1989-2006; swing/blues)