As I prepare for the upcoming live performance with mockART, I find myself reflecting on the journey that’s brought us here. Music has always been a medium through which we explore, experiment, and push boundaries. This time, we’re diving into the heart of the city, capturing the chaotic pulse of urban life in our latest project, traffic || jammed.

Event Details:

• Date: September 8, 2024
• Time: 19:00
• Location: Atelierhaus Orber Straße, Orber Straße 24, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
• Admission: Free – donations appreciated

When the Heussenstamm Stiftung invited us to be part of the Rush Hour Kulturfestival, we knew we had to take on the challenge. The idea of interpreting the rush hour on Frankfurt’s Hanauer Landstraße through sound was immediately compelling. This stretch of road is a microcosm of urban life, where cars, bikes, buses, trams, and pedestrians collide in a symphony of movement and noise. It’s complex, it’s chaotic, and it’s the perfect canvas for what we do.

For this performance, we’re transforming the everyday sounds of traffic – honking horns, screeching brakes, the hum of engines – into a rich sonic landscape. We’re using manipulated samples of these sounds, blending them with flute, guitar, and electronics to create something entirely new. What excites me most are the custom-built instruments we’ve crafted from materials related to traffic. These add a tactile element to the performance, connecting the music directly to the urban environment we’re exploring.

But traffic || jammed isn’t just about sound. We’re incorporating light and video art to create a fully immersive experience. The industrial space at Atelierhaus Orber Straße, right off Hanauer Landstraße, is the perfect venue for this. The raw, expansive environment will allow us to layer our performance with visuals that mirror the intensity and rhythm of the city.

As I’m working on this project, I’m also excited to introduce our latest single, La Bête Noire rôde dans la ville, remixed by Urhixidur, and La Bête Noire danse, remixed by Ubaldo. These tracks mark the next chapter in the La Bête Noire saga. While the beast has left its grotto, these remixes capture its newfound freedom as it roams the city and hits the dance floor. Both tracks showcase the power of collaboration, something that remains at the core of mockART’s philosophy.

In many ways, this single and the upcoming performance are connected. Both explore themes of movement, transition, and the collision of different elements – whether it’s the beast navigating the city or us untangling the rush hour chaos through music. As we move forward, I’m reminded of how important it is to embrace the unexpected, to find beauty in the noise, and to keep pushing the boundaries of what music can be.

I hope you’ll join us on September 8th for what promises to be an unforgettable evening. traffic || jammed is more than just a performance; it’s an exploration, an experiment, and a celebration of the urban symphony that surrounds us every day. And, of course, stay tuned for more releases as we continue to unravel the story of La Bête Noire.

Roam the city with La Bête Noire

The Rush Hour Kulturfestival is sponsored by Drees & Sommer. Additional sponsors are: Horst-Haas-und-Irene-Haas-Scheuermann-Stiftung, Kulturamt Frankfurt, Stabstelle Stadtmarketing Frankfurt, Stiftung Polytechnische Gesellschaft Frankfurt

The post Exploring the Sonic Chaos of Urban Life: mockART’s Upcoming Live Performance and New Single appeared first on rabirius.

Reflecting on the evolution of my music project, mockART, I’m reminded of the profound changes that have shaped the landscape of collaboration. Back in the day, when MySpace reigned supreme as the go-to network for musicians, connections flowed effortlessly, paving the way for numerous collaborations.

The Birth of the Black Beast

It was during this era that I composed and recorded La Bête Noire, a track that found its place on mockART’s inaugural album, Reflux Ux Bisou. Fast forward to today, and the dynamics of collaboration have shifted. In a world where connectivity isn’t as readily available, the pursuit of collaborative ventures remains a cornerstone of mockART’s ethos.

For me, collaboration isn’t just about merging sounds; it’s about embracing diverse perspectives and enriching the musical journey. However, in an age where self-interest often takes precedence, finding like-minded collaborators can be a challenge. Yet, amidst the sea of hesitancy, there are shining exceptions.

Becoming a Duo

One such exception occurred when mockART welcomed Christoph Dorner, a classically trained flutist, into the fold. Our musical backgrounds couldn’t have been more different, and initially, finding common ground posed a challenge. Yet, through experimentation and open-mindedness, we discovered a harmonious blend of our contrasting styles, propelling mockART into uncharted territories.

Our commitment to collaboration bore fruit with the release of our joint album, Men Who Lost Their Heads, featuring guest vocalists whose contributions breathed new life into our compositions. As we ventured into our second collaborative endeavour, views | Interrupted, we chose to embark on a different path, handling the recording process ourselves.

However, the question lingered: How would our tracks have evolved if we had enlisted the aid of other artists? Thus, the concept of inviting musicians to remix our album was born. The results were astounding, breathing fresh vitality into our music and paving the way for new sonic explorations.

The Story of the Beast Unfolds

This brings us to the present, where we find ourselves on the cusp of releasing our latest project – an album featuring remixes of La Bête Noire. As we eagerly await the final contributions, we’ve decided to unveil two tracks as a teaser of what’s to come.

The first track, remixed by Pharmakustik, delves into the realms of audioclinical investigation and sound-research, offering a mesmerising sonic journey. On the “B-Side,” Baco_Giovanni Cristino infuses his unique perspective as an independent toxic pianist, creating a captivating rendition that defies convention.

With each new version, we’re reminded of the power of collaboration to transform and transcend boundaries. As we anticipate the release of our album this autumn, we invite you to join us on this exhilarating musical odyssey.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore new horizons and push the boundaries of creativity with mockART.

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