// review

„Was fehlt noch, nach zwölf Monaten voller Tonträger? Vielleicht dieser Alpenfolk der Andersdenkenden.[…] Es gibt keine Erklärungen zu diesem schönen Wagnis, und doch ist es ein Manifest.“

A very rich platform for urban music and media work from all over the world. An exhibition on tour – currently at ZKM Karlsruhe – and a book. In the exhibition there is a little contribution of mine to be found. But that is not why I post this here. I post because it is definitely worth visiting Norient from time to time. Have a look.

A road trip to the black roots of American culture. I had the pleasure to see this highly ispiring piece of cinema by Oliver Hardt in my very neighbourhood. Thanks for this warm work.

The United States of Hoodoo | Official Trailer from Stoked Film, Germany on Vimeo.

These guys are playing in Berlin tonight. I am excited. This is the most outstanding and awesome music I have heard for years.

Who says that technical descriptions have to be dry like dust? Here you can find the very precise technical rider of Iggy Pop.

Amanda Palmer and Peaches suggest diversity. I like this video a lot.

Julian Sartorius beat diary is one of my favorite contributions in the www. Thanks for stuff like that!

I am in Africa for the first time. Pro Helvetia, Swiss Arts Coucil, provides a residency in southern Africa. For the first two weeks I play the saxophone in the band for the multimedia show 3 colours. The piece has been commissioned for the opening of the 4th World Summit on Arts and Culture in Johannesburg. Brett Bailey is the director, Mapumba Cilombo the musical director – he turns out to be the best band leader I have ever worked with. The saxophone is quite a strange ingredience in the traditional african music that builds the acoustic surroundings for the piece.

3 colours reveals the usual difficulties of theatre. The music has to be adapted for the choreographies, the piece looses its tempo. And more problematic: there is a realistic raping scene that stays the only scene where the public (so called cultural specialists from all over the world) laughs.
The refrain goes like this: If you show unbroken violence on stage the piece of art turns into a piece of violence.

Nevertheless, it was a splendid experience to share stage and time with excellent musicians from all over Africa. Some days after the show I travel to Maputo where the 2nd part of the residency will take place. Read on here.

This is the site of two neighbours. Please find some very funny and helpful stuff there.

Buy UNSIGNED

Reviews

By Frank Apunkt Schneider in intro

By Ohrenkuss

By revolution9, UK:

„So, imagine if Ian Brown (Stone Roses), Dizzee Rascal, and Mike Skinner (The Streets) all got fucked up one weekend and got stuck in the occasional k-hole along the way. You guessed it: it might end up in a recording session kinda like this. Funny, disorienting, bizarre. Check it out.“

UNSIGNED is supported by a composition commissioned by Pro Helvetia, Swiss Arts Council