"Veiled is Joanna Mattrey's first solo record, and a deep exploration of the sound possibilities for the viola. Her improvisations include preparations, which alter the resonance of the instrument, masking its overtly singing and beautiful nature, and allowing for many unexpected and unusual textures.

Yet this music is an attempt to weave a melodic line through the unclear, the fog, the mist, the Veiled, and tap into an impulse that isn't defined by conventional musical language. These pursuits are highly influenced by the study of martial arts, alexander technique, yoga, and the mysteries of subtle energy and how it can be transformed into movement."

"Joanna Mattrey is a violist active in both the new music and free improvisation communities who's playing often incorporates textural gestures, preparations, and electronic alterations. She is searching for moments of ceremony and ritual in a modern soundscape. Mattrey has played with such luminaries as Marc Ribot and the Young Philadelphians, Mary Halvorson, John Zorn, Erik Friedlander, Nick Dunston and others among New York City's Downtown scene."-Relative Pitch

"The Stroh violin or Stroviol is a type of stringed musical instrument that is mechanically amplified by a metal resonator and horn attached to its body. The name Stroviol refers to a violin, but other instruments have been modified with the amplification device, including the viola, cello, double bass, ukulele, mandolin, and guitar.[citation needed] John Matthias Augustus Stroh, an electrical engineer in London, invented the instrument in 1899."-Wikipedia