Formed in 1994 in Warrenton, Va., the instrumental quartet Boud Deun has built a reputation for its virtuoso playing and spirited live performances. The group attracts listeners of all ages and interests. Boud Deun's music reflects rapid-fire playing reminiscent of Mahavishnu Orchestra, the lyricism of Dixie Dregs and the dark angularity of King Crimson, but one can also hear punk, bluegrass and classical elements.

Guitarist and composer Shawn Persinger graduated from the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, Calif. in 1992. His influences include Leo Kottke, AC/DC's Angus Young and John McLaughlin. Bassist and composer Matt Eiland played saxophone as a child, switching to bass guitar at age 15. He played in Weak Old Rice, a DC-area metal fusion band, in 1991-1992. He is a jazz studies major at the Shenandoah University Music Conservatory.

Violinist Greg Hiser studied from 1985 to 1987 with Andrej Grabier, Concert Master of the Wichita Symphony. He has performed around Washington, DC with bluegrass bands New Mountain and Virginia and The Blue Dots. Drummer Rocky Cancelose has studied at the Drummers Collective in New York City.

The group released "Fiction & Several Days" on its own E.H.P. label in late 1995. Cuneiform issued Astronomy Made Easy in 1997. "A General Observation: The Live Album" was released in 1998 on E.H.P., as was The Stolen Bicycle on Cuneiform. The band was slated for inclusion on a Shanachie compilation CD, tentatively titled "The Gobi Compilation", in 1998. ~ Jim Dorsch, Rovi