Artist Bio
Sharing the inclusive spirit of jazz and 21st century classical music, elegant experimentalism is the hallmark of
Janel and Anthony's lush, orchestral sound. While they began in the DC suburbs, Janel and Anthony have captivated live audiences around the world by blending styles to create a unique aural experience, unconstrained by genre. Sophisticated, yet accessible, their music is wholly evocative of Washington D.C.'s rich and eclectic culture.
Janel and Anthony is the collaborative venture of two of the leaders in DC's burgeoning experiential music scene:
Anthony Pirog, an omnivorous guitarist, with influences ranging from surf to ambient, and
Janel Leppin, a conservatory trained cellist steeped in North Indian and Persian classical music, free improvisation, experimentalism and jazz. Acclaimed performers in their own right, the duo came together to form Janel and Anthony in 2005 and the result has been sonically spectacular.
Given the many facets of its their tastes and interests, Janel and Anthony's music is difficult to categorize. The textures and tones create a sound both timely and timeless. The elements of electronica, looping and lo-fi timbres mingle intimately and majestically with acoustic instruments and melodies reminiscent of folk tunes and blues. Their music is global in its sonic, instrumental and emotional reach, while remaining touchingly intimate.
The performance features compositions alternating with brief improvisational encounters, artfully employing the use of loops and electronics. The duo features Pirog on electric guitar and Leppin on cello. While exploring themes of restlessness, homesickness and feelings of disorientation, the music is deft and focused, shimmering with vivid professionalism.
Leppin and Pirog each grew up in Vienna, Virginia. While they attended the same high school, they did not begin playing music together until college. They have collaborated on two albums, 2006's
Janel and Anthony, available on
Cricket Cemetery Records and 2012's
Where is Home, available on
Cuneiform Records. Janel and Anthony toured the East and West Coasts in the summer of 2012 and are hitting the road again this summer in support of
Where is Home, this time in Europe.
Anthony Pirog is a studied yet unorthodox guitarist with a degree in guitar performance from NYU. Pirog has played in bands ranging from surf and roots rock to hard rock to experimentalism and jazz. He leads his own jazz and classical ensembles and has played shows all over the country. Janel Leppin studied cello performance at GMU with a minor in World Music and a focus in classical Indian and Persian music.
D.C. Music Download recently called the group, “One of the best live performers in D.C., the duo does a fantastic job of improvising on stage and complimenting each other’s music prowess.” Janel and Anthony are leaders in the D.C. experimental music scene, and in the past year alone have played crowded, dynamic shows at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, the Biowall in downtown Silver Spring, and many other venues across the city and country.
