Created in 2011 as a parody of contemporary politics and politicians, this half-hour piece of music-theatre has become an all-too-real reflection of today’s bad behavior surrounding issues of immigration and national identity. Jeff Young and Paul Pinto collaboratively created the text, music, and staging, scoring the piece for their own voices, violin, percussion, a turntable, samples, and lots of cardboard boxes. In …Patriots…, instrumental music alternates with sung and spoken words, zany and humorous topical quips alternate with personal, pointed critiques of the political zeitgeist, fully notated sections merge into structured musical and textual improvisations, and tonal harmonies mix with startling, untraditional musical effects. To celebrate the release, the candidates packed their boxes with those campaign buttons, shined their shoes, and headed to the heartland. Their nearly monthlong, ten-state, tour included stops at two festivals devoted to new and experimental music, Under The Radar Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska, and NMASS (New Media Art and Sound Summit) in Austin, Texas. Full tour details at http://www.thingNY.com/patriots