Wooohooo! The 14th installation of one of my favorite electronic creative culture festivals, MUTEK, is starting in two more days. With more than 140 artists, 76 projects, and a record of world premiers (15 world, 16 North American, 4 Canadian), this festival boasts an abundance of music, sights, panels, art, installations, and workshops to keep your weekend packed! Hopefully y’all got to check out the first preview post of artists I’m super excited to see! Part 2 is going to encompass some more artists that aren’t to be missed!
Before I begin, I’mma mention again how crucial and worth it it is to go check out an A/Visions series if you really want a unique experience outside of electronic music creative and digital arts festivals. You get to be in a beaaautiful theatre in the city, sit down, relax, and take in the expression of sound and visuals being intentionally molded together. One can’t exist without the other! The entire show is like one huge art piece. It is awesome. It will expose you to different sounds and different ways of feeling and seeing sound, different ways of feeling and hearing visuals.
ALL the A/Visions are worth checking out. Here are the ones I’m excited for though! A majority of A/Visions descriptions below come from the Mutek site. (Skip to the next page for more music coverage!)
Wednesday May 29th; A/VISIONS 1: Ludger-Duvernay Room at the Monument-National – 8 p.m.
8:00 p.m Dan Browne, Dan Briscoll & Steve Richman (CA)
First up will be Canadian artists DAN BROWNE, DAN DRISCOLL & STEVE RICHMAN, who explore the fleeting nature of human memory in MEMENTO MORI. To do so, they revisit a film comprised of more than 100,000 photographs, captured over the course of a lifetime, and shape it into an extrasensory photo montage presented here in world premiere. This film has been awarded THREE prizes in the last year: Jury Prize, for best Canadian Work – WNDX Festival of Moving Image 2012; First Prize in the experimental category at the Athens International Film and Video Festival 2013; and finally the Deluxe Cinematic Vision Aware at the Images Festival!
8:45 p.m Matthew Herbert (UK) present One Pig
The programme’s second part, a North American premiere, will present British producer MATTHEW HERBERT, who also explores the cycle of life… of a pig, in this instance. The ONE PIG performance mainly revolves around the defining sounds in the life of a pig, from birth, to slaughter, to plate. On stage, Herbert is accompanied by musicians decked out as lab assistants, as well as a chef (of the culinary kind), in order to delve into every facet of a pig’s (after)life. The artistic and political approach to the subject matter is at once visual, sonic and scent-laden, which promises to make for an unforgettable festival experience.
A/VISIONS 2: Ludger-Duvernay Room of the Monument-National – 8 p.m.
8:00 p.m Nils Frahm (DE)
The second A/VISIONS gets started with virtuoso German (Berlin) pianist NILS FRAHM and his three pianos. Showered with praise, this musician and composer is interested in the countless sonic possibilities that define his instrument of choice; he brings together classical music with electronic accents in a frank, effortless way.
Today Nils Frahm works as an accomplished composer and producer from his Berlin-based Durton Studio, where he has worked and collaborated with many contemporaries such as Peter Broderick, Ólafur Arnalds, Anne Müller, Deaf Center, Efterklang and Dustin O’Halloran amongst other fellow musicians. His unconventional approach to an age-old instrument, played contemplatively and intimately, has won him many fans around the world. For a musician this early in his career, Frahm displays an incredibly developed sense of control and restraint in his work, catching the ear of many fans including Thom Yorke, who featured one of Nils’ songs in Radiohead’s HQ office chart. As the recognition continues to grow for his previous solo piano works ‘Wintermusik’ (2009) and ‘The Bells’ (2009), October 2011 saw the release of his most acclaimed album to date: ‘Felt’. ♦
Nils is part of the Erased Tapes Record labels where he works alongside with many incredible artists, Ólafur Arnalds, who he collaborated with to make some of my favorite songs of last year. Check it out below!
Olafur Arnald & Nils Frahm – a2 (Max Cooper Remix)
Nils Frahm – Si (Plasma Ruby Remix)
9:30 p.m Herman Kolgen (CA)
Quebec artist HERMAN KOLGEN, renowned abroad for his digital arts sculptures, invites the public on a sweeping multisensory trip with TRAIN FRAGMENTS. Presented at MUTEK in a new configuration with the Université de Montreal’s SIXTRUM percussion ensemble (a world premiere), the public will witness the meeting of contemporary music and digital creativity, with a live score inspired by Steve Reich’s notoriously difficult string quartet, Different Trains. This performance looks EPIC. Check out Fragments if you want a bit of a teaser to see what this Montréal local has in store for us!
Skip to the next page for more MUTEK coverage!
NOCTURNE 1: Total Kompakt – SAT – 10 p.m.
In collaboration with Society for Arts and Technology
I love Kompakt records. It was started in Cologne by Wolfgang Voigt, Michael Mayer and Jürgen Paape in 1993. Its Total Kompakt compilations are well known throughout the electronic scene. This record label boasts an incredible bounty of artists that have influenced the techno scene and its growing number of artists today. I respect Kompakt mostly for its minimal techno, micro house and super refined technical production. The two artists playing this night that I am most excited for is The Field (above), and Micheal Mayer (below).
I’ve written a bunch about Swedish landscape painting techno artist Axel Willner, also known as The Field. You can check out the many previous posts here and check up on the music!
It is only fitting that one of the founders of Kompakt label comes out to close off the night. Michael Mayer has released numerous albums over the course of a decade and a half. His most recent release in 2012, Mantasy, is a wonderful representation of the modern sound that techno has evolved to today. The sound remains minimal, yet catchy, sometimes poppy. Dark ambient wooshing sounds still paint some techno tracks. Fast alley cruising quick heart beating thumps are present too. Fusion of house and techno stripped down to a more sparse aesthetic in creating microhouse keeps the two step goin’. It’s a great album full of diversity! It’ll be interesting to see how this Kompakt night will play out. Will the techno vibrations stomp us into the ground or merely keep our heads nodding??? One thing for sure is that the music will be incredible. Whether it’ll keep you dancing is what I’m questioning. Check out some of my favorite tracks from Mayer below!
Michael Mayer – Voigt Kampff Test
Hauschka – Radar (Michael Mayer Remix)
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NOCTURNE 3: Métropolis + Society for Arts and Technology – 10 p.m.
Society for Arts and Technology – Presented by Red Bull Music Academy,
10:00 p.m Vlooper (CA)
10:35 p.m Lukid (UK)
11:40 p.m Boundary (CA)
00:40 a.m Onra (FR)
01:45 a.m Graze (CA)
Suuuuuper stoked for this night. It is an interesting combination of artists though. We got the dope hip hop beat makin’ producers Vlooper and Onra and fellow Ninja Tune artist Lukid (though his soundcloud reflects a more ambient style than badass ninja tunery). Then there’s Ghislain Poirier, a renowned electronic music ambassador in Montréal for over a decade that has dabbled in hip-hop beats and dancehall. But his side project, Boundary, is described as IDM, ambient, and techno infused. Finally the night ends with Graze, a duo whose influences are drum and bass and techno. Hmmm. This will be an interesting night.
If you haven’t heard about Artbeat Montréal (home of the Piu Piu). Well, get out of that cave you’ve been stuck in ’cause it is THE scene for incredible beat makers, amazing MCs and spoken word poets, and a lovely welcoming crew of hip-hop aficionados alike. Vlooper is a part of the Artbeat Piu Piu crew, and the most talented Alaclair Ensemble. These are the cats holding it down for the scene in Montréal right now. Sick production. Sick beats. Sick flow and lyrics. I imagine for MUTEK Vlooper is not gon hold back and will thrown down Booty Bass style. Come out to support one of Montréals finest local beat makers! Check out his tracks below:
Ghislain Poirier is a Montréal native who is well known internationally and especially locally because of the vast array of music releases he boasts under his name as well as some of the freshest parties that he used to throw down called Bounce, Le Gros (Bounce, Dude) which used to be held at the now closed popular indie alternative underground venue, Zoobizarre. Poirier still throws dope parties in the city. The popularity of his sound got him signed to Ninja Tunes as well as heaps of great collaborations with talented artists such as Lady Sovereign, Clipse, and Seba. He plays a variety of genres ranging that at first, more so reflected hip-hop, afrobeats, dancehall, and his own experimentations with the electronic music genre. The popularity in his sound is reflected in all Now, he has a side project called Boundary, where his soundscapes reflect the colder nature of the north with ambient, techno and IDM vibes. I love his new sound though I feel confused that Mutek mismatched him with the rest of the artists this night. As Boundary, he could have done well and blended more with the the Kompakt night or perhaps some A/Visions series. Oh well, another interestingly curated night. Check out his tunes below! Reminds me of what Michael Mayer’s tunes would be like if I was out hunting with some wolves on a sled jejeje.
Finally we get to Onra! I had the pleasure of seeing him last summer at the most EPIC Artbeat show at Cabaret Underworld alongside Montréal’s finest like Kaytrananda, High Klassified, Vlooper, and Poirier! I guess this show is a reunion of sorts. Hoorah! Onra is internationally recognized in the beat making, dope hip-hop producing scene. Originally born in Germany with Vietnamese blood in his ancestral veins, he shortly moved to France after where all his musical talents developed. Since 2006 he has released a handful of LPs, EPs, and singles, of which Chinoiseries is his most famous. It is an album birthed from a trip to Vietnam for the first time in 2006 where he brought back over 30 some Vietnamese records from the 60’s and 70’s, mixed them impeccably and made probably the first accessible Hip-Hop Vietnamese vibin’ album. After this groundbreaking release, it was no surprise that he got selected to attend the prestigious Red Bull Music Academy in Barcelona. Of all the shows, DON’T MISS THIS ONE. I am sooo excited for this show. Check out some of his tracks below!
Onra – The Anthem (Chinoiseries, 2008)
Onra ft. Olivier Daysoul – Long Distance (Long Distance, 2010)
Onra – Where I’m From (Chinoiseries Pt. 2, 2011)
Onra – L.O.V.E. (Deep in the Night, 2012)
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MUTEK//Piknic: Parc Jean-Drapeau – 2 p.m.
In collaboration with Piknic Electronik
2:00 p.m Axel Boman (SE)
4:00 p.m Dewalta (DE)
5:00 p.m San Proper (NL)
6:00 p.m Surprises!
The closing party of Mutek in collabo with another of Montréal’s finest electronic music events, Piknik Electronik, is definitely the highlight of the festival. The sunshine is rolling through after the past week of rain so lets keep manifesting good weather and high times! I hear rumors of artists saying this beautiful island of Jean Drapeau overlooking the Montréal’s city scape beyond the river is one of their favorite places to DJ. It’s hard to see why not. All day and almost through the entire night people are laughing, dancing, kids are roaming around, and the best electronic music curated by some of the best of the best underground or mainstream is being blasted through the great soundsystem. Every year there is always a surprise. Every year the surprise is always good. Last year it was Benoit & Sergio, Nicolas Jaar, Valentin Strip, and the surprise…WOLF AND LAMB. Who for me, are hit and miss, but this round, they THREW DOWN. It was an incredible beautiful afternoon of soulful disco house to the max.
This year, I’m only familiar with the Swedish house producer, Axel Boman. He released “Purple Drank” a few years back which got him better known in the house scene…as well as many remixes. I like his style. Deep, disco, poppy, and soulful house. It’s all the good stuff. Boman remixed a track that became one of my top hits a couple years back. Check it out as well as a bomb mix he did eight months ago for Make sure to make it out to this event! It is super fun and what Montréal really is known for if you’re into the electronic music scene!
Wolfram ft. Hercules and Love Affair – Fireworks (Axel Boman Remix)
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That’s the Pre-Coverage before MUTEK is on its way in two days! Come back for some Post-Coverage thoughts! Enjoy the festival everyone! Stay safe and drink lots of water and electrolytes. Take some natural boosters like ginseng or raw cacao to keep you going if you’re running low on fuel. Full schedule below! See you on the dance floor! 🙂
Full MUTEK 2013 Schedule:
DAY 1 – Wednesday, May 29
EXPERIENCE 1 : 2-22 – 5 p.m. – Free
Presented by Bande à Part
5:00 p.m Augustine Wrong (CA)
5:50 p.m Stefny Winter (CA)
7:10 p.m Yes Ma’am (CA)
A/VISIONS 1: Ludger-Duvernay Room at the Monument-National – 8 p.m. – $27 + Tx & Sc
8:00 p.m Dan Browne, Dan Briscoll & Steve Richman (CA)
8:45 p.m Matthew Herbert (UK) present One Pig
PLAY 1: Hydro-Québec Studio at the Monument-National – 10:30 p.m. – Free
10:30 p.m Andy Dixon (CA)
11:20 p.m Christopher McNamara (CA)
00:15 a.m Roche Ovale & Thierry Gauthier (CA)
NOCTURNE 1: Total Kompakt – SAT – 10 p.m. – $35 + Tx & Sc
In collaboration with Society for Arts and Technology
DAY 2 – Thursday, May 30
EXPÉRIENCE 2: 2-22 – 5 p.m. – Free
Presented by Bande à Part
5:00 p.m Atam One (CA)
5:55 p.m Dead Horse Beats (CA)
6:45 p.m Maxime Robin (CA)
DROMOS: Satosphère – 7 p.m. – $16 + Tx & Sc
7:00 p.m Maotik & Friction (FR)
8:30 p.m Maotik & Friction (FR)
A/VISIONS 2: Ludger-Duvernay Room of the Monument-National – 8 p.m. – $27 + Tx & Sc
8:00 p.m Nils Frahm (DE)
9:30 p.m Herman Kolgen (CA)
PLAY 2: Hydro-Québec Studio of the Monument-National – 10:30 p.m. – Free
10:30 p.m Nicolas Bernier (CA)11:05 p.m Zodiacal Light (CA)
11:20 p.m Michel Plamondon & John Blouin (CA)
NOCTURNE 2: Métropolis + Society for Arts and Technology – 10 p.m. – $40 + Tx & Sc
Métropolis – In association with Sapporo
10:00 p.m Frivolous (CA)
11:20 p.m Jamie Lidell (UK)
00:35 a.m Brandt Brauer Frick (DE)
01:40 a.m Wishmountain (UK)
Society for Arts and Technology – Presented by Red Bull Music Academy
10:00 p.m (CA)
10:55 p.m Lee Gamble (UK)
11:45 p.m Andy Stott (UK)
00:50 a.m Deadbeat (CA)
02:00 a.m Martyn (NL)
EXPÉRIENCE 3: 2-22 – 5 p.m. – Free
5:00 p.m Ramzi (CA)
5:45 p.m Hear (CA)
6:45 p.m MacGuffin (CA)
DROMOS: Satosphère – 7 p. m. – $16 + Tx & Sc
7:00 p.m Maotik & Friction (FR)
8:30 p.m Maotik & Friction (FR)
A/VISIONS 3: Ludger-Duvernay Room of the Monument-National – 8 p.m. – $27 + Tx & Sc
8:00 p.m Micheal Trommer & Nokami (CA)
8:35 p.m Antoine Schmitt & Franck Vigroux (FR)
9:20 p.m K.a.n.t.n.a.g.a.n.o (CA)
PLAY 3: Hydro-Québec Studio of the Monument-National – 10:30 p.m. – Free
10:30 p.m Hobo Cubes (CA)
11:10 p.m Fünf (CA)
11:50 p.m Jesse Osborne-Lanthier (Noir) (CA)
NOCTURNE 3: Métropolis + Society for Arts and Technology – 10 p.m. – $40 + Tx & Sc
Métropolis – Presented by Resident Advisor, in association with Sapporo
10:30 p.m Ryoichi Kurokawa (JP)
11:20 p.m Emptyset (UK)
00:20 a.m John Hopkins (UK)
01:25 a.m Robert Hood (US)
Society for Arts and Technology – Presented by Red Bull Music Academy
10:00 p.m Vlooper (CA)
10:35 p.m Lukid (UK)
11:40 p.m Boundary (CA)
00:40 a.m Onra (FR)
01:45 a.m Graze (CA)
EXPÉRIENCE 4: 2-22 -3 p.m. – Free
5:15 p.m Van Did (CA)
8:00 p.m Matthew Herbert (UK) present the end of silence
9:15 p.m 1024 Architecture (FR)
PLAY 4: Hydro-Québec Studio of the Monument-National – 10:30 p.m. – Free
10:30 p.m Wndfrm (CA)
11:15 p.m Manuel Chantre (CA)
11:50 p.m Slowpitch (CA)
NOCTURNE 4: Métropolis + Society for Arts and Technology – 10 p.m. – $40 + Tx & Sc
Métropolis – In collaboration with XLR8R, in association with Sapporo
10:00 p.m Cloudface (CA)
10:40 p.m Laurel Halo (US)
11:45 p.m John Talabot (ES)
00:50 a.m John Roberts (US)
01:55 a.m Âme (DE)
03:00 a.m Efdemin (DE)
Society for Arts and Technology – Presented by Red Bull Music Academy
10:00 p.m Emika (UK)
11:05 p.m Tokimonsta (US)
00:10 a.m Nosaj Thing (US)
01:35 a.m Letherette (UK)
DAY 5 – Sunday, June 2
MUTEK//Piknic: Parc Jean-Drapeau – 2 p.m. – $14 + Sc
In collaboration with Piknic Electronik
2:00 p.m Axel Boman (SE)
4:00 p.m Dewalta (DE)
5:00 p.m San Proper (NL)
6:00 p.m Surprises!
A/VISIONS 5: Maison symphonique – 7 p.m. – $40 + Tx & Sc
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June 5, 2013 at 3:23 PM
An Overview, Mutek Montrèal 2013 | acquiesce to...
[…] 2: Having done a preview of him in my last post, I had some knowledge and had heard some of his tracks off his label Erased Tapes […]